Plants in Small Aquariums ?

Hi ALL
Just to curious to know if plants aid in filtration process in small 20 L tanks, in terms of reducing the toxins in the water. Ive read of good durable plants like Java ferns and java moss ?
Like to hear what the resident fish experts have to say .

Thanks !

 

Stem plants will feed off your fish waste. Not sure about plants like ferns that are attached to roots, rocks, wood etc and are not in contact with the substrate.

 

What plants are recommended then for low light conditions ?

 

Vallis, anubias.

 

Nothing wrong with your plant choice but what are you trying to do? Are you trying to avoid filters and if so why?

 

all plants will extract nutrients (fish poo) out the water. Some do it much better than others.

Low light plants include:
Java Fern - Microsorum pteropus
Windelov Java Fern, Windelov Fern - Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov'
Narrow Leaf Java Fern - Microsorum pteropus v. 'narrow leaf'
Java Moss - Vesicularia dubyana
Hornwort - Ceratophylum demersum
Crypt Wendtii - Cryptocoryne wendtii
Crypt Balansae - Cryptocoryne Balansae
Pygmy Crypt - Cryptocoryne pygmaea
Guppy Grass - Najas guadalupensis
Anubias barteri - Anubias barteri v. barteri
Anubias barteri 'marble' - Anubias barteri 'marble'
Anubias barteri v. 'glabra' - Anubias barteri v. 'glabra'
Anubias nana - Anubias barteri v. 'nana'
Coffee leaf anubias - Anubias barteri v. 'coffeefolia'
Crypt retrospiralis - Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
Crypt spiralis - Cryptocoryne spiralis
Golden nana - Anubias barteri v. 'nana golden'
Narrow leaf nana - Anubias barteri v. 'nana narrow leaf'
Petite nana - Anubias barteri v. nana 'petite'
African Water Fern - Bolbitis heudelotii

then there is fissidens

these are beautiful plants that do not require high light. They will also extract nutrients from the water but please note that you still need good filtration and you must not have a heavy fish stock load

 

No not at all ..just want to aid my UGF ...

 

Thanks Shan interestiing list ..will check them out

 

Not such a good idea to plant stem plants if you're using a UGF... They root into the filter and when you pull them out you make a royal mess of your tank. A UGF is a long outdated form of filtration and there are far more efficient filters out there that are inexpensive and very easy to use. Also, the constant bubbling of the UGF will dissolve your Co2 out of the water, so the plants will just die back (Not Anubias, Java Ferns, etc). So stems are a no-no.

Rather get rid of the UGF and get a little HOB filter.

 

I would suggest you replace the UGF. They are old school and create issues (trapping waste which requires removing to clean). Rather look at a HOB or internal but for the size of your tank, HOB is probably the solution.

I see Sean types quicker :bigsmile:

 

Udg filter sucks get a hob..... Ag nee somebody already infomred you hahs just kidding. Any way yep gwt aontger filter they are cheap wgat fish are in the tank?

 

@Ryno - Your spell check seems to stuck in bilingual or something :laugh:

 

Yep. And yoh check my so
Spelling!

 

And grammar.....

 

Lol for something as small as a 20 litre I'd get a small el cheapo 300l/h internal filter for about R60 place it well below the surface so that there is only slight surface disturbanCE to preserve co2. Easy peasy. stick 2 x 18w energy savers in the hood and your lighting is sorted. All finished simple and klaar.

 

Thanks Gents ..ill look into HOBS

 

Cool man. Let us know which ones you are looking at. The guys on the site have a lot of experience with different filtration and brands.

 

wouldn't that create a hell of a current in that small tank?

 

Any reccommendations for a small 20L tank on what brand to get and how much would it cost ?

 

Are you asking for the tank or the filter. If it's for the tank, why not just get a cheap LFS tank? If it's for the filter, what type do you want?