Beginner Plants

[guppyguy]

Me and PlantedRob were have a chat at Sundays meeting about beginner plants for the planted tank. I am looking for members feedback on what they consider a beginner plant and why. Al responses appreciated.

[plantedrob]

I'm saying the easiest plant to start with that is really, really hard to kill is anubias nana. I have had it in my tanks since the first planted tank I did and some form of that is still in my tanks 6 years latter. It grows very slow and that means it needs less to survive so it does very well in a beginner tank, but it also thrives in a high tech tank. It's also very versitile to aquascape with, you can tie it to drift wood and rocks or plant it to the roots (dont burry the rhizome) and use it as a foreground plant. All around solid plant.

[guppyguy]

You know what anubias nana is for sure one of the excellent beginner plants. Actually most slow growing plants are fairly easy to take care of. Other species of anubias, and java fern species are both slower growing hard to kill plants. Java moss is easy also. Those would be the simplest plants.

[3littlefishes]

Hornwort is def. easy. It seems to grow with no ferts and it is even growing in an unlit tank I have. I also think Amazon Swords are pretty uncomplicated and give a beginner a nice large plant relatively quickly with little effort.

[lisachromis]

Java Fern, Java moss, Anubias sp. for sure. Many swordplants really do need high light. If you stick with true low light aquatics, you should be ok. I tried to find my beginners guide I used to have online, but it's gone. So, am copying what I wrote for plants:

Live plants

Almost all fresh water aquariums can have live plants. In fact, it's healthier for the tank and its inhabitants. There are lots of hardy fairly cheap aquarium plants that do well for almost everyone. Some of the benefits of live plants are that they:

1. Extra filtration - they take up ammonium, nitrates, and phosphates, and can even absorb other undesirable substances from aquarium water.

2. Produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide when the aquarium is illuminated and the plants are healthy.

3. Provide natural shelter for fish, particularly fry, thereby reducing stress and supporting natural behaviour. Plants also provide hiding places for species that are being picked on by other tank inhabitants.

4. Provide the main focal point of the aquarium. They just look nice!

Planting Tips

Use groups of plants in your set-up. It is better to have larger groups of certain species than to have lots of species that look lost next to each other.

Try to aquascape your plants according to their growth habits. Taller plants should be placed at the rear and shorter plants towards the front. Try to place plants according to their light requirements. For example, plants preferring lower light levels can be planted in the shade of higher light-preferring species. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. It does make it nicer for you to see the plants that way. But, that's not necessarily how it would look in nature.

Remember the 'adult' size of plants. Plants grow and should be given the room and proper placement when they are first planted in the aquarium.

Don't put gravel between the stems of a plant that grows from a crown.

Choose faster growing species of plants when first starting your tank. Plants can be one of the best algae prevention strategies. They will compete with the algae for nutrients and light.

Commonly Sold Counterfeit Aquarium Plants

There are several plants sold to the beginning hobbyist that are not aquatic, and will eventually melt in the tank. Some are bog plants and some are even house plants! Avoid these at all costs. The following is a list of several that I have found.

umbrella pine, ground pines/club mosses (Lycopodium), Chinese evergreen, pongol sword, aluminum plant (Pilea cadairei), crinkle (Hemigraphis), green or red hedge, underwater palm, spider plant (Chlorophytum), arrowhead (either Syngonium {houseplant} or Sagittaria {bog}, sandriana, green dragon plant (Dracena sanderana) -- tall corn-like stalk, dark green sword-like leaves with white edges, mondo grass, fountain plant (Ophiopogon japonicus), Japanese rush (Acorus gramineus), Brazil sword, Borneo swords (Spathiphyllum sp.), scarlet hygro/dragon flame/alligator weed (Alternanthera sessilis and other sp.)

Recommended Beginner Plants

Most of the following species should be easy to find at local pet stores and are good to start with since they don't require high lighting and quite easy to care for.

Vallisneria:
Different species have different heights. You can easily find ones that will fit into your aquarium. They don't require high light and can grow in most water types.

Hygrophila:
Prefer bright light, tolerate wide range of water conditions, rapid growing, suitable for mid to rear of aquarium.

Bolbitis (African Water Fern):
Grows attached to rocks or wood. Likes growing in a current but will adapt to fairly still water. Takes all water types.

Microsorum (Java Fern):
Several varieties including long and short types and 'Windeløv'. Tolerate wide range of lighting and water conditions. It can be a slow grower. Attaches to driftwood or rocks.

Anubias:
Many varieties of this are found. Almost impossible to kill. Another plant that attaches to driftwood or rocks. Don't bury the roots as this will make them rot.

Cryptocoryne:
I find this to be a hit or miss plant for beginners. A really good beginner variety is wendtii.

[guppyguy]

Excellent well written answer Lisa.