Ground Cover Plants

hi Guys

anyone have some recomendations for some ground cover plants (would like to have a nice carpet effect and cover as much of the substrate in the front of the tank as possible.

What would be even better if someone had some spare they could sell to me.

 

Yes i'm looking for the same effect - so will watch the
responses with interest

 

Hi Linga and Wayne - the traditional carpet for a tank is HC, but is a bitch to look after.

Are you looking for something easy, not requiring billions of watts of light and enough CO2 to create a greenhouse effect on 5 planets ???

If so - I don't have an answer to this one... Maybe the plant guys can help

 

lol thanks zafgak - yeah would really like for it to be little bit easy to take care of.

 

a few...

howsit! :bigsmile:

Locally grown options (Since Import equivalents are blacklisted ):
Echinodorus tenellus Pigmy chain sword
Eleocharis spp. Hairgrass
Lilaeopsis brasiliensis

Also look at
Glossostigma elatinoides (a bit easier, some say, than HC)

OR
Moss "panels"
Riccia "mats"
Hemianthus micranthemum
Pruned and trained - to appear like lawns OR rapidly cover exposed gravel areas.

tasa members may spare you some of above.
...otherwise browse your sponsors forum for ideas of who gets what, whenever

If you want to - TheWaterZoo has some plants available.....just send a few guys pm and you should be in the LAWN business.

..or at least know when/who/what

 

Echinodorus Quadricostatus. I've had some success with only 3X39w and no Co2 in a 600 tall tank.

Tried

 

quadbike cost us?

:bigsmile:

thanks neil
I had it in mind, but then thought of height...but good,strong light sorts that out...

See linga?
helpful okes these

 

thanks guys, u right Altum this is an awesome site with great help from everyone

 

The micro-swords will be nice for that type of effect. Also Sagitarius Subulata would work rather nicely. Although it does get a little bigger than the E. Quadricostatus.

 

micro - swords like a low mainteance option and very attractive - anyone know where to get hold of them in Slaapstad

 

and in PTA?
I would prefer to spend the postage money on buying the plants.(No offence to the sponsors)

 

I've been looking for hairgrass for ages.

There are some members here that may be able to donate some micro swords, I got mine here on the forum.

 

Send a PM to Prof Dirk to get hold of his plant list. He sells Echinodorus Quadricostatus. And he is in the Cape area.

Of all the micro swords this one is the least demanding on light. In fact, it will grow slowly but steadily with very little light. It will go wild with high light! It gets around 10cm tall, so you don't really get a lawn effect, unless your tank is 60cm+ high. For easiest lawn option, try this with Java Moss:

http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=101806

The article is aimed at Riccia, which is what I am currently doing (see my tank thread http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=1300), but you can do a low maintenance solution with moss. In fact, a moss carpet is perfect for a low light setup.

 

thanks Laure, that looks awesome think i will try the moss option it looks easy to do

 

Anyone know where can I get hold of Java Moss in Durban.

 

You should be able to get microswords from a few shops in Pretoria. I know that Exclusive Pets in Centurion and Pet City in Montana both have it regularly. The latter is cheaper and better stocked though.