Which plants to add?

phin · 10-27-2009, 03:45 PM

I have a pleco in my tank now while I'm wating for it to finish cycling. I'd like to add some plants, but don't want to add any the pleco might eat. I have lots of driftwood and want to add java moss, java ferns, some anubias and maybe some crypts eventually.

I plan on giving the pleco away when the tank is established, finish planting it, and then stocking with tetras and a pair of rams.

Any suggestions on plants I might be able to add while the pleco is still in the tank?

Newman · 10-27-2009, 06:22 PM

how big is it?
Anubias might be ok.
Add some floating plant in the meantime to help with nitrates. it'll help with nitrites as well. hornwort or cabomba will be good. my pleco didnt touch the floaters, back when i had him.

phin · 10-28-2009, 07:51 AM

tank is 20x10x21

pleco is about 4"-5" long

Newman · 10-28-2009, 06:39 PM

mine was 6". hornwort/anubias should be fine.

phin · 10-30-2009, 07:52 PM

picked up a java fern and annubias today. The annubias is a monster, much bigger than I expected.

AndiH · 10-31-2009, 09:34 AM

How are you liking that particular Anubia? I can't wait to get the A. coffeefolia I ordered.

phin · 10-31-2009, 02:40 PM

So far so good. I've had it less than 24 hrs, but its much bigger than I expected and actually put it in the background. Its a very nice addition. I went to my LFS today to pick up some crypts but they're closed for Halloween. Hopefully it will survive as I don't have much light yet. (15w tube).

Newman · 10-31-2009, 02:47 PM

Itll survive for now, dont worry.
I've had Cabomba (a medium light plant) growing at .5 wpg

phin · 10-31-2009, 09:44 PM

What would you suggest I supplement with? I'm going to add some crypts, java moss and keep propagating the java fern (may add another). What is a good supplement for a smaller tank, one that isn't too potent and easy to dose?

OrangeCones · 11-01-2009, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phin

I plan on giving the pleco away when the tank is established, finish planting it, and then stocking with tetras and a pair of rams.

Any suggestions on plants I might be able to add while the pleco is still in the tank?

Why not just fully plant the tank now without the pleco? You could do a 'silent cycle' with the plants acting as you bio-filter.

10-27-2009, 03:45 PM	#1
phin Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 96	Which plants to add? I have a pleco in my tank now while I'm wating for it to finish cycling. I'd like to add some plants, but don't want to add any the pleco might eat. I have lots of driftwood and want to add java moss, java ferns, some anubias and maybe some crypts eventually. I plan on giving the pleco away when the tank is established, finish planting it, and then stocking with tetras and a pair of rams. Any suggestions on plants I might be able to add while the pleco is still in the tank? __________________ 18 gallon tall 6 neon tetras 4 black neon tetras 2 cherry spot rasboras ghost shrimp Anubias bartari Anubias nana Java Fern Hygrophila polysperma Red cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne lueta Cryptocoryne wendtii (bronze wendtii) Java Moss lots of driftwood

10-27-2009, 06:22 PM	#2
Newman Super Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,810	how big is it? Anubias might be ok. Add some floating plant in the meantime to help with nitrates. it'll help with nitrites as well. hornwort or cabomba will be good. my pleco didnt touch the floaters, back when i had him. __________________ Credit goes to Lludu

10-28-2009, 07:51 AM	#3
phin Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 96	tank is 20x10x21 pleco is about 4"-5" long __________________ 18 gallon tall 6 neon tetras 4 black neon tetras 2 cherry spot rasboras ghost shrimp Anubias bartari Anubias nana Java Fern Hygrophila polysperma Red cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne lueta Cryptocoryne wendtii (bronze wendtii) Java Moss lots of driftwood

10-28-2009, 06:39 PM	#4
Newman Super Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,810	mine was 6". hornwort/anubias should be fine. __________________ Credit goes to Lludu

10-30-2009, 07:52 PM	#5
phin Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 96	picked up a java fern and annubias today. The annubias is a monster, much bigger than I expected. __________________ 18 gallon tall 6 neon tetras 4 black neon tetras 2 cherry spot rasboras ghost shrimp Anubias bartari Anubias nana Java Fern Hygrophila polysperma Red cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne lueta Cryptocoryne wendtii (bronze wendtii) Java Moss lots of driftwood

10-31-2009, 09:34 AM	#6
AndiH Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 60	How are you liking that particular Anubia? I can't wait to get the A. coffeefolia I ordered. __________________ 14g, 3 cory (2 panda, 1 skunk), Colisa lalia (1 flame and 1 blue?) 5g, Divided with 2 male betta

10-31-2009, 02:40 PM	#7
phin Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 96	So far so good. I've had it less than 24 hrs, but its much bigger than I expected and actually put it in the background. Its a very nice addition. I went to my LFS today to pick up some crypts but they're closed for Halloween. Hopefully it will survive as I don't have much light yet. (15w tube). __________________ 18 gallon tall 6 neon tetras 4 black neon tetras 2 cherry spot rasboras ghost shrimp Anubias bartari Anubias nana Java Fern Hygrophila polysperma Red cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne lueta Cryptocoryne wendtii (bronze wendtii) Java Moss lots of driftwood

10-31-2009, 02:47 PM	#8
Newman Super Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,810	Itll survive for now, dont worry. I've had Cabomba (a medium light plant) growing at .5 wpg __________________ Credit goes to Lludu

10-31-2009, 09:44 PM	#9
phin Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 96	What would you suggest I supplement with? I'm going to add some crypts, java moss and keep propagating the java fern (may add another). What is a good supplement for a smaller tank, one that isn't too potent and easy to dose? __________________ 18 gallon tall 6 neon tetras 4 black neon tetras 2 cherry spot rasboras ghost shrimp Anubias bartari Anubias nana Java Fern Hygrophila polysperma Red cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne lueta Cryptocoryne wendtii (bronze wendtii) Java Moss lots of driftwood