idiot proof plants

3675 Views 32 Replies 21 Participants Last post by BettaBettas, Feb 22, 2017

David Bresch

Discussion Starter · Feb 9, 2017

I am setting up a 90p tank with CO2. I REALLY abhor failure and I am willing to give up some choice in return for an set-it-and-forget-it tank, within reason.

What is the idiot proof moss?

What is the idiot proof carpeting//foreground plant?

What is the idiot proof background plant?

Presumably idiot proof means

1) available in tissue culture
2) easy to plant, I don't have to struggle to get roots into substrate or use a magnifying glass to identify the roots
3) grows fast and puts out runners easily, "jungle" preferable to "neat Dutch"

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

fishyfishy101

· #2 · Feb 9, 2017

You don't need "idiot proof" plants for a tank with co2, with co2 you can grow almost anything you want. That said, other factors should be taken into account, like lighting, substrate, and ferts.

You say you want a "set-it-and-forget-it tank" so for that I would say don't do co2, instead do more low tech like a walstad tank.

But to answer your question. You can find lots of threads on that subject e.g.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/100-low-tech-forum/56042-excellent-list-low-light-plants.html

Reactions: 5

David Bresch

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 17, 2017

Well I need someone to select the plants for me and I tried Aquariumplants.com. The owner refunded my money because he felt I did not know enough to make designing my tank worth his while. Does anyone know alternatives?

Mattb126

· #4 · Feb 17, 2017

David Bresch said:
Well I need someone to select the plants for me and I tried Aquariumplants.com. The owner refunded my money because he felt I did not know enough to make designing my tank worth his while. Does anyone know alternatives?

Now I know not to do business with them. Not wanting to help a customer out because you don't know enough?! That's what this hobbies about.

As for plants...
Moss: Java moss
Background: Water sprite, Amazon swords, lots of other options
Midground: Java fern
Foreground: Various species of cryptocoryne, dwarf sag

Reactions: 1

David Bresch

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 18, 2017

I appreciate the list but I need a service that will select the correct quantity of plants etc...

Actually what I wrote was the nice version, he was pretty mean.

PEdwards

· #6 · Feb 18, 2017

I haven't bought plants from an online vendor in ages, but would very highly recommend the For Sale, Want to Buy, and Aquascaping forums here. Folks in Aquascaping will help you plan your tank and estimate how much of what you'll need. Then just hit up the FS forum to see what's available and post a WTB to get responses from people selling what you want.

For what it's worth, there's no such thing as an idiot proof plant as I can personally attest to. I've made some idiot mistakes lately and it's hurt some typically hearty plants pretty bad.

Even if you do go low-light and soil, use CO2. Carbon's an essential plant nutrient and the low light will be the limiting factor for growth speed if you're looking for a more hands-off approach.

Cheers,
Phil

Bobbybills

· #7 · Feb 18, 2017

I don't agree with mattb26's suggestion of water sprite. With CO2 it is a weed, not a plant. If you want low maintenance plants, pick ones that do not grow fast which for the most part are plants not sold in bunches with a lead weight strapped on to make the plant look substantial.

Bacopa is an excellent mid or background plant if you trim it often, you don't need to replant the trimmed off tops like Rotala types. Stem plants are the opposite of set and forget, more like set and constantly trim and replant.

Nlewis

· #8 · Feb 18, 2017

Bobbybills said:
I don't agree with mattb26's suggestion of water sprite. With CO2 it is a weed, not a plant. If you want low maintenance plants, pick ones that do not grow fast which for the most part are plants not sold in bunches with a lead weight strapped on to make the plant look substantial.

Bacopa is an excellent mid or background plant if you trim it often, you don't need to replant the trimmed off tops like Rotala types. Stem plants are the opposite of set and forget, more like set and constantly trim and replant.

So your telling the OP not to get stem plants but then telling them to get Bacopa which is a stem plant. Where do I start with this? FYI Bacopa gross pretty damn fast with injected co2.

MtAnimals

· #9 · Feb 18, 2017

I've found hydrophila polysperma pretty forgiving,along with dwarf sag.Would also suggest rotala rotundfolia.I also like amazon swords,and eldodea.These are for the most part fast growing in a low tech environment,and pretty much idiot proof,IME.Just get a few,and add as you feel necessary.start with one bunch or so,and just try some till you get a feel for what you can grow and can't.For mosses,Java moss isn't real picky either.Anubias and java ferns are great for tying or gluing to rocks or driftwood,and very hardy and easy too,though they tend to be slower growing.Use your imagination and do what looks good to you.

I think,though not from personal experience,co2 by it's nature will make it more maintenance intensive.

Reactions: 1

nel

· #10 · Feb 18, 2017

MtAnimals said:
I think,though not from personal experience,co2 by it's nature will make it more maintenance intensive.

It depends. I have CO2, medium light (4x39W T5HO over 345 litre tank), 1/3 EI
dosing and NO stem plants (God, how I hate those! Trimming is nightmare, every 3rd day might be needed sometimes). With this kind of g once every other week I change 20% of water and trim ugly leaves. 30-45 min and it's done. You just need right plants: anubias, java ferns, bolbitis (love it!), lotus, cryptocoryne, etc. (take a look into my journal for examples).

Nordic

· #11 · Feb 18, 2017

As soon as you make anything idiot proof, they bring out a better idiot.

Reactions: 5

David Bresch

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 18, 2017

That's me! I will find something to screw up! Thank you for these posts these are superbly helpful!

Bobbybills

· #13 · Feb 18, 2017

Nlewis said:
So your telling the OP not to get stem plants but then telling them to get Bacopa which is a stem plant. Where do I start with this? FYI Bacopa gross pretty damn fast with injected co2.

Thank you for the correction. My reason was that it is much slower growth and can be left rooted and trimmed unlike Rotala which does not seem to branch as low as the BC in my tank. This has been my experience.

GrampsGrunge

· #14 · Feb 19, 2017

MtAnimals said:
I've found hydrophila polysperma pretty forgiving,along with dwarf sag.Would also suggest rotala rotundfolia.I also like amazon swords,and eldodea.These are for the most part fast growing in a low tech environment,and pretty much idiot proof,IME.Just get a few,and add as you feel necessary.start with one bunch or so,and just try some till you get a feel for what you can grow and can't.For mosses,Java moss isn't real picky either.Anubias and java ferns are great for tying or gluing to rocks or driftwood,and very hardy and easy too,though they tend to be slower growing.Use your imagination and do what looks good to you.

I think,though not from personal experience,co2 by it's nature will make it more maintenance intensive.

Well except that H. Polysperma is no longer available, as been classified as an 'invasive'. I thought it was an awesome beginners plant. Rotala Rotundafolia is a great plant for new water gardeners. Regular Java Moss can't be beat for growing in all kinds of conditions. If you can track down OakLeaf Water Sprite, it's both a fantastic floating and rooted plant.

Bump:

fishyfishy101 said:
You don't need "idiot proof" plants for a tank with co2, with co2 you can grow almost anything you want. That said, other factors should be taken into account, like lighting, substrate, and ferts.

You say you want a "set-it-and-forget-it tank" so for that I would say don't do co2, instead do more low tech like a walstad tank.

But to answer your question. You can find lots of threads on that subject e.g.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/100-low-tech-forum/56042-excellent-list-low-light-plants.html

This is a rather sweeping overstatement, you certainly can bugger up CO2 use, some of the biggest tank crashes I've seen have come from high tech CO2 system malfunctions. DIY and manual CO2 injection worked for me back in the 1990's, but even with the advance of new technology you really can't completely 'idiot proof ' a modern high pressure CO2 system.

TeteRouge

· #15 · Feb 19, 2017

David, this site isn't perfect, but many of us have used Tropica for ideas. This page of it, "Inspirations" Inspiration for aquascapes; planted tanks - Tropica Aquarium Plants will show you some very nice tanks, and with a grading symbol on them. Clicking on the photo will also give you a schematic- floor plan if you will- of the tank. The plants tab will also grade choices. It may help you along in your search.

Maryland Guppy

· #16 · Feb 20, 2017

David Bresch said:
I am setting up a 90p tank with CO2. I REALLY abhor failure and I am willing to give up some choice in return for an set-it-and-forget-it tank, within reason.

What is the idiot proof moss?

What is the idiot proof carpeting//foreground plant?

What is the idiot proof background plant?

Presumably idiot proof means

1) available in tissue culture
2) easy to plant, I don't have to struggle to get roots into substrate or use a magnifying glass to identify the roots

David Bresch said:
Well I need someone to select the plants for me and I tried Aquariumplants.com. The owner refunded my money because he felt I did not know enough to make designing my tank worth his while.

David Bresch said:
I appreciate the list but I need a service that will select the correct quantity of plants etc...

Actually what I wrote was the nice version, he was pretty mean.

David Bresch said:
That's me! I will find something to screw up! Thank you for these posts these are superbly helpful!

CO2 will require some work.
Failure will happen with some plants.
Nothing is easy with tissue culture, to clean and separate 1 cup could take more than 1 hour.
Roots are distinguishable for sure, tissue culture can be weak on roots.
Tissue culture also will transition to submerged, some plants are more difficult.

Worth one's while is questionable.
Understanding if it is a failure and vendor gets bashed then reputation is at stake.

Correct quantity is another grey area.
What if everything doesn't survive? One plant dies and one plant flourishes?

Screwing something up, we have all done that @ least twice.

A planted tank is for sure a journey that will bring success along with failures.
Lighting, ferts, substrate, water chemistry, research, etc. are all @ play here.

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David Bresch

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 20, 2017

Thanks for that. Is tissue culture worth it? It appears much more expensive.

Freemananana

· #18 · Feb 20, 2017

Java moss, dwarf sag and jungle vals. It'll be a mess of a tank if you set it and forget. They spread like wildfire.

Maryland Guppy

· #19 · Feb 20, 2017

Some cannot stand snails so they will only use tissue cultured.

I have purchased some and a few have failed, many have survived, multiplied, sold off extras to others etc...

If you want instant gratification buying plants that are already grown submerged is best.
They will not go through a transition period and are only dependent on your aquatic environment.
I'm not saying all will make it but odds are better.

Keep in mind almost all aquatic plants will grow out of water.
You buy a bunch or plug of stem plants from a LFS and they have only been under water for about a week.
They are cultivated, bunched in a 3-10 or so quantity, then bagged moist and with air.
LFS gets them and they are seeing their first days of submerged life.
When cultivated and bunched snails are most likely not an issue.
Those first days @ the LFS introduce the snails.
Some will use bleach, H2O2, Flourish Excel to dip or wash snails and snail eggs from plants.
Mind you these chemicals are not applied straight but to a ratio of water.
This also causes more plant stress and sometimes tissue damage.
Some have even melted their plants and turned them to mush when trying to rid them of snails.

Just some things to think about, hope this helps in some way.

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Bananableps

· #20 · Feb 20, 2017

duckweed

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

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