[mr.schertz]

got a fresh 10 gallon running with flourite and 26 watts of light 65k,nothing in it yet,just water and 4 small fish and cycling. want some easy growing ground cover with a few tall plants along the back. Need suggestions,I also live near the comal river in new braunfels texas which is a shallow river loaded with lots of plants,is co2 a must for what i want?

 

[radioman]

In order to have a good groundcover you will need higher lighting and then co2 to go with it. If you don't want to use co2 and with those lights I would go with some hardy plants like java moss, java fern, anubius, amazon sword etc.

 

[Wasserpest]

There are plants like Marsilea, Lilaeopsis, dwarf Sags, smaller Crypts, perhaps Chain Swords that will form a "carpet" without much added CO2. You could add a bit of Seachem Excel as a carbon source. Also consider DIY CO2 - it can be cheap, fun, and effective.

 

[radioman]

Did not know that. I will have to look those up.

 

[exv152]

There are plants like Marsilea, Lilaeopsis, dwarf Sags, smaller Crypts, perhaps Chain Swords that will form a "carpet" without much added CO2...

I had a low tech 20 gal setup with dwarf sagitaria and within months it fully covered the substrate like a grass, very easy to grow.