Post by jocie1976 on Apr 20, 2015 17:44:33 GMT -5
(Google pictures used in this thread, unless supplied by our admin)
Live water plants are awesome in helping with the nitrogen cycle and help keep the water crystal clear. They're a great et in any aquarium and with a little knowledge easy to add in. Here's a list of low tech, easy care, run on fish poop and if you feel like it some basic fertilizer plants. I do recommend doing some research into plants beyond what's here - knowledge is a real et when it comes to doing a live aquarium. Ask questions, google, watch aquascaping videos. Know what type of set up you want so everything goes as smoothly as possible. A low tech live planted aquarium is one that doesn't need a special set up, special lighting, CO2 or anything fancy.
Since parasites, pest snails and or bacteria can travel to your new tanks there a few things you can do to make sure your plants are sanitized and hitchhicker free:
1. Quarantine the plant for a month to a month and a half or so without anything else in the tank. 1. quarantine the plant for a month to a month and a half or so without anything else in the tank. On hardier plants like amazon swords you can plant it in a qt tank and add a teaspoon or a teaspoon and a half of salt, turn the temp up to 90F or so and leave it for a couple of weeks as well. (my sword grew like a weed when I did this)
...If you're impatient like me then there are a couple of other things you can do...
2. You can take a 10 part water to either (one or the other but not both) and 1 part bleach or peroxide and soak the plant in it for 2 to 3 minutes max. Some plants are sensitive but most of the ones on this list are pretty hardy and will do okay. give the plant a soak in heavily dechlorinated water and run it under fresh water until all the smell is gone.
Planted in the gravel with the roots buried:
Rotala Rotundifolia or Rotala Indica (this plant can also be left floating)
Rotala indica and Rotala Magenta and Rotala Nanjenshan have small leaves that are green on the top and pink on the bottom. This plant originates from India, and is an ideal mid-ground plant that will add color to the freshwater planted aquarium. Because of the small leaf size, it will grow rather densely, and may need to be thinned out in time. The Rotala indica and Rotala Magenta and Rotala Nanjenshan are relatively fragile plants that should not be included in an aquarium with overly active fish that may damage the fragile stems. It is a fast growing plant that sometimes has redish leaves if there's enough iron present in the water. It can get fairly tall so it makes a great mid to background plant. To replant pieces of rotala simply cut a piece that's approx 4 inches, strip the leaves off the bottom inch and replant - can be planted in small bunches. It can grow to one foot two inches tall (although I have seen it quite a bit taller).
Sword Plants
They can reach up to 2 feet in height so they make a good mid to background plant. Varieties include the Amazon Sword, Melon Sword, Ozelot Sword, Radican Sword, Radican Marble Queen, Oriental Sword, Red Flame, Red Rubin, Ruffle Plant and Kleiner Bar Sword. They are all beautiful with similar requirements. Many species are amphibious and will grow out the top of the tank. Reproduction within this species most often happens by side shoots coming off the rhizome, or in some by adventitous plants on the pindacles, and sometimes by seed. This plant will flower regularly in an open top aquarium, which may follow with the formation of seeds.
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Cryptocoryne wendtii is available commercially in a variety of colour forms, including green, olive green, and reddish brown leaves. The leaves differ considerably in size, shape and colour; this is heavily dependent on the amount of light they receive. normal height is between 4-8 inches. If planted in thick groups, all variations will grow taller and narrower. Cryptocoryne propagate by growing multiple runners (you will notice new little plants inches-a foot away). Sometimes when this is replanted in your aquarium some of the leaves will melt. Don't worr about this too much as it's normal with crypts. It'll grow back. This plant tends to stay a little smaller so it makes a great mid to foreground plant.
Cryptocoryne Spiralis
Tall, slender, ruffled leaves sway gracefully under water, while emergent forms grow considerably shorter with broader leaves. Spiralis propagate by growing multiple runners, and can be also be propagated through rhizome division. Sometimes when this is replanted in your aquarium some of the leaves will melt. Don't worry about this too much as it's normal with crypts. It'll grow back. This plant can reach anywhere from 14 inches to 24 inches (with the right conditions). It makes a great mid to background plant.
Dwarf Sagittaria
The Dwarf Sagittaria, also known as Hudson Sagittaria and Ribbon Wapato, is a great aquatic plant for those just beginning to keep live plants in their aquariums. This fast growing plant resembles gr and can grow above the water level. Its unstemmed leaves will grow to form dense clusters. It is an amphibious plant, and will grow either partially or fully submersed. This plant typically stays under 6 inches tall and makes a decent carpet plant but in really low light conditions it's been known to get up to a foot tall reaching for the light. The Dwarf Sagittaria is a completely undemanding plant. Dwarf Sagittaria will propagate by producing multiple runners, and may need to be replaced with new Dwarf Sagittaria from time to time.
Blyxa Japonica
This plant stays between 3-6 inches and makes a great foreground plant. Once it is established it spread into a gr-like carpet. It has become a staple in the planted aquarium hobby due to its attractive gry, hedge-like appearance. If phosphate levels are kept high (1-2 ppm), this species will continuously produce small white flowers on long, thin stalks. Despite its appearance, B. japonica is actually a stem plant growing on a densely foliated, short stem. Unlike other gry mid- to foreground plants, it is not nearly as invasive since it does not produce long runners. Instead, it produces basal side shoots which can easily be divided from the main plant with a sharp pair of scissors.
Madagascar Lace
This plant can grow up to 2 feet tall. It is best as a mid or background plant and makes a great display piece. The leaves are rather delicate and can rip easily as well as collect a lot mulm (just junk from the water). You need to carefully clean the leaves every couple of days. Reproduction with this plant occurs through bulb separation, or formation of seeds after flowering. Plant this with the top of its bulb out of the soil/sand/gravel.
Banana Plant
Banana Plant, also known as the Big Floating Heart, is an interesting and unique looking Rosette Plant. It has banana-shaped roots that remain partially un-planted, and store the nutrients for the rest of the plant. Most tolerant of deep water and low light, it is an amphibious plant and will grow either fully, or partially submerged. The banana-shaped roots of this plant should be planted no more than 1/4 of their length. Plant them by gently pressing them into the substrate. They grow up to 6 inches tall but may send up leaves to the surface that look like lily pads. The tubers will start to 'rot' off as the plant matures and sends roots down, taking anywhere from a week to a couple of months. To help this plant stay healthy it is recommended that you take the lower leaves off once they start to yellow at the base of the plant. For more on the banana plant click the link: www.wetwebmedia.com/plantedtkssubwebindex/nymphoides.htm
Anacharis
The Anacharis, also known as the Brazilian Waterweed, is an ideal aquatic plant for beginners. Beautiful light to bright green leaves, with branching stems covered in bunches of linear, whorled leaves. The Anacharis anchors itself in the substrate by its roots, but will also grow when floating freely. Anacharis is an excellent nutrient controller and oxygen producer for all types of freshwater aquariums. As they grow to two feet, they are best as background plants. There are two types fof anacharis; elodea & egeria.
Hygrophila
Hygrophila, Temple Narrow Leaf plant will grow to a maximum size of 24", and should be pruned regularly to keep it from shading its neighbours. It makes an ideal background plant that will help in hiding the aquarium's equipment. This plant will not begin to branch until the top has been cut. Reproduction within this species is by cuttings. Simply cut the plant at the height that you desire, but leave room for growth, then strip the leaves off of about an inch of the stem, and plant into the gravel.
Moneywort
Moneywort, also known as Brahmi to herbalists, is an excellent plant for aquarists who are new to keeping live plants. They are amphibious and will grow either partially or fully submersed. Moneywort is a moderately hardy stem plant that will thrive in most aquariums. It will typically grow to 12" tall, but may grow even taller under high light conditions, even continuing to grow horizontally until it reaches the water's surface. If left untrimmed, it will extend its branches out of the water.
Four Leaf Clover
The Four Leaf Clover, also known as the Clover Fern, originates from inland Australia. It has two pairs of leaflets arranged in a four leaf clover pattern. The Four Leaf Clover can grow in a number of different soil types, ranging from sands to clays. Under the proper conditions, this fern will form a thick carpet with its numerous runners. It is amphibious, and will grow either partially or fully submersed. Planting the runners that grow from mature, healthy plants is the best way to propagate the Four Leaf Clover. When the "baby" is approximately half the size of the "parent," cut the roots apart so they may grow separate from one another. They may occasionally produce seeds that can be used to cultivate new plants, and can also produce adventitious shoots to be used for propagation. It grows up to one foot tall and is best as a mid to back ground plant.
Cardinal Plant
An easy-to-grow Cardinal Plant favoured in Dutch-style freshwater planted aquariums! Native to the eastern and central United States, Lobelia cardinalis, also known as "Cardinal Flower," is commonly found growing emergent along streams, ponds, and waterways. Kept in its submersed state in the home aquarium, its stems produce bright green leaves with scarlet red undersides. This unique stem plant grows upward at a moderate pace, producing side shoots and numerous white roots at the nodes. The Cardinal Plant's slow and dwarf growth makes it ideal for mid- ground placement to add density and interest to planted aquarium displays. It can grow to one foot tall.
Water Sprite
The Water Sprite, also known as the Indian Fern, is a great plant to use as a mid-ground plant and also as a floating plant. The delicate, lacy leaves also make great cover for fry to hide among. Due to its poor root system, the Water Sprite retrieves nutrients from the water. The Water Sprite will grow profusely under the correct conditions, and for this reason, is excellent at removing unwanted and unhealthy inorganic nutrients from the aquarium water. In smaller aquariums with open tops, the Water Sprite can grow out of the tank and form beautiful surface leaves. The delicately branched leaves are very decorative and provide good contrast to other leaf shapes. The Water Sprite makes a great starter plant for the aquarist new to plant keeping. Propagation is by adventitious plants from the tips of the leaves. Because of this, they are extremely easy to reproduce. It can grow to one foot high.
Vallisneria (Vallis for short)
Included among the various species of Vallisneria are some of the most adaptable and easy to keep plants available to the aquarist. Rarely expensive, and usually sold in even the smallest stores, Vallisneria are easy to obtain and settle into a new aquarium quickly without going into shock as many Cryptocoryne and Echinodorus species seem to do. They do not need special substrates enriched with laterite or loam, and they are not picky about water conditions, doing as well in slightly brackish water as they will in an ordinary freshwater community tank. In a centrally heated house, some species will even do well in unheated aquaria with cold water species. Unlike many aquarium plants, they are able to extract the carbon dioxide they need for photosynthesis from the carbonate salts in the water, so systems for adding carbon dioxide to the water aren't important either. All they really require is bright lighting, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on expensive metal-halide or mercury vapour lamps; two or three ordinary fluorescent lights that run the full length of the hood will do the job, providing you aquarium isn't more than 50 cm deep. In short, Vallisneria are excellent plants for the beginner and advanced hobbyist alike.
Rotala Rotundifolia or Indica
This is a pretty easy care and low demand plant. To plant the rotala just strip the leaves off the bottom inch to inch and a half and put in the substrate. Rotala indica (also known as R. rotundifolia) is an excellent aquarium plant, as it adapts to most typical water conditions. Growth is dependent on the amount of light and nutrients provided for the plant. In conditions of high light and nutrients The plant will grow quickly, and as it spreads across the surface of the water the plant will send down rootlets at most of the places where leaves are attached to the stem. The more light and food provided, the redder the leaves will become, and in conditions of sufficient food and high light levels R. indica will take on a beautiful red to the newer leaves of the growing stem. The more light provided the smaller and more densely packed the leaves will be. Easy to grow, it needs to be pruned regularly, with the cut growing tips planted to replace the older stems. Reproduction within this species is by cuttings. This plant can get really tall but it's very easy to trim and keep short. Simply cut the plant at the height that you desire, but leave room for growth, then strip the leaves off of about an inch of the stem, and plant into the gravel or toss the undesired cuttings.
Plants that are best tied on rocks or driftwood:
Anubias Nana
Anubias nana is a hardy plant that is an aquarium favourite among many hobbyists. This rosette plant may reach up to 6 inches in length and has beautiful dark green leaves in low, handsome clumps. It usually has diagonal lines running from the center vein to the leaf perimeter. Anubias nana has tall, variable foliage that is usually pointed to ovate. Because it grows well from cuttings, you can usually reproduce it easily. Under correct water conditions, the Anubias nana propagates by side shoots on the rhizome, causing rhizome division. These plants do best when tied to rocks or driftwood but the are fine planted as long as the rhizome isn't burried. Other varieties to consider are Anubias Congensis, Anubias hastifolia, Anubias coffeefolia and Anubias barteri. Not all types of anubias plants can remain submerged. Anubias nana can remain underwater without any problems.
Java Fern
Growing around 8 inches tall, with creeping, green rhizomes, Java Ferns are well suited for not only planted aquariums, but also those that contain cichlids and other large South American fish. They will propagate by adventitious plants on leaves & roots, and rhizome division may also be seen. These plants do best when tied to rocks or driftwood. (My favourite way to plant them is tied inside of a natural food grade cinnamon stick.)
Floating Plants:
Duckweed
Duckweeds, or water lens, are flowering aquatic plants which float on or just beneath the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of fresh water. It consists of numerous tiny plants and rapidly reproduces. Some fish favour it as food (as well as humans in Asia).
Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum is a floating aquatic plant, which can be mistaken for Water hyacinth. Juvenile plants grow in rosettes of floating leaves that lie prostrate upon the water surface. It reproduces and distributes sexually through flower pollination and seed production, and also vegetatively through fragmentation of stolon segments.
Mosses:
Marimo Moss Ball (or moss tribble - seriously they look like tribbles)
The Moss Ball is a spongy velvet-like green algae ball that in the wild is found around Japan and Northern Europe. In its natural habitat, they are moved around by undercurrents and sink or rise in order to receive plenty of light to carry out photosynthesis. The Moss Ball propagates by division. It starts with a division line which progresses to the splitting off of a smaller new Moss Ball. Just let these roll around your tank and gently squeeze them out once a month or so. Also remember to turn them or they will not stay round.
Java Moss
A little bit goes a long way: the thinner this is spread over rocks and driftwood, the better it will root itself and the prettier and healthier it will look as it grows. If you want faster growth, fluff up your moss to let more light get to it. The Moss loves stagnant water and lots of nitrite. In fact it will THRIVE on high nitrite levels and left over food and fish faecal matters. Grown in tanks by tying it with a string or fishing line onto driftwood or rocks, or just left free floating (great for fry!). It's easy to transplant - gently remove what you want to transplant and tie it onto something else.
Christmas Moss
Grown in tanks by tying it on to driftwood or rocks. Christmas moss is as mysterious as some of the other mosses in the aquarium hobby. There is no consensus on its geographic origins and even the scientific name has a tendency to change. Its growth habits and appearance are just as varied. When grown attached to a piece of driftwood or rock, it forms triangular fronds in the shape of Christmas trees (hence the common name). If allowed to grow free floating, it tends to have a much less organized appearance and the triangular fronds are much less pronounced. In this form, it is often confused for the much more common Java Moss. In lower light conditions, it grows much less densely, and again, is often much less organized in structure. Only under higher light conditions, attached or anchored to an object, does Christmas Moss show its true structure. It will form a willowy bush of triangular fronds that is very attractive and undemanding. This moss is very easy to grow in the aquarium, as it will grow with almost any amount of light. Although not as hardy as the legendary Java moss, it will survive with low light and no CO2. Growth will be considerably slower and it will not form the ideal structure, but it will still survive.
Live water plants are awesome in helping with the nitrogen cycle and help keep the water crystal clear. They're a great et in any aquarium and with a little knowledge easy to add in. Here's a list of low tech, easy care, run on fish poop and if you feel like it some basic fertilizer plants. I do recommend doing some research into plants beyond what's here - knowledge is a real et when it comes to doing a live aquarium. Ask questions, google, watch aquascaping videos. Know what type of set up you want so everything goes as smoothly as possible. A low tech live planted aquarium is one that doesn't need a special set up, special lighting, CO2 or anything fancy.
Since parasites, pest snails and or bacteria can travel to your new tanks there a few things you can do to make sure your plants are sanitized and hitchhicker free:
1. Quarantine the plant for a month to a month and a half or so without anything else in the tank. 1. quarantine the plant for a month to a month and a half or so without anything else in the tank. On hardier plants like amazon swords you can plant it in a qt tank and add a teaspoon or a teaspoon and a half of salt, turn the temp up to 90F or so and leave it for a couple of weeks as well. (my sword grew like a weed when I did this)
...If you're impatient like me then there are a couple of other things you can do...
2. You can take a 10 part water to either (one or the other but not both) and 1 part bleach or peroxide and soak the plant in it for 2 to 3 minutes max. Some plants are sensitive but most of the ones on this list are pretty hardy and will do okay. give the plant a soak in heavily dechlorinated water and run it under fresh water until all the smell is gone.
Planted in the gravel with the roots buried:
Rotala Rotundifolia or Rotala Indica (this plant can also be left floating)
Rotala indica and Rotala Magenta and Rotala Nanjenshan have small leaves that are green on the top and pink on the bottom. This plant originates from India, and is an ideal mid-ground plant that will add color to the freshwater planted aquarium. Because of the small leaf size, it will grow rather densely, and may need to be thinned out in time. The Rotala indica and Rotala Magenta and Rotala Nanjenshan are relatively fragile plants that should not be included in an aquarium with overly active fish that may damage the fragile stems. It is a fast growing plant that sometimes has redish leaves if there's enough iron present in the water. It can get fairly tall so it makes a great mid to background plant. To replant pieces of rotala simply cut a piece that's approx 4 inches, strip the leaves off the bottom inch and replant - can be planted in small bunches. It can grow to one foot two inches tall (although I have seen it quite a bit taller).
Sword Plants
They can reach up to 2 feet in height so they make a good mid to background plant. Varieties include the Amazon Sword, Melon Sword, Ozelot Sword, Radican Sword, Radican Marble Queen, Oriental Sword, Red Flame, Red Rubin, Ruffle Plant and Kleiner Bar Sword. They are all beautiful with similar requirements. Many species are amphibious and will grow out the top of the tank. Reproduction within this species most often happens by side shoots coming off the rhizome, or in some by adventitous plants on the pindacles, and sometimes by seed. This plant will flower regularly in an open top aquarium, which may follow with the formation of seeds.
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Cryptocoryne wendtii is available commercially in a variety of colour forms, including green, olive green, and reddish brown leaves. The leaves differ considerably in size, shape and colour; this is heavily dependent on the amount of light they receive. normal height is between 4-8 inches. If planted in thick groups, all variations will grow taller and narrower. Cryptocoryne propagate by growing multiple runners (you will notice new little plants inches-a foot away). Sometimes when this is replanted in your aquarium some of the leaves will melt. Don't worr about this too much as it's normal with crypts. It'll grow back. This plant tends to stay a little smaller so it makes a great mid to foreground plant.
Cryptocoryne Spiralis
Tall, slender, ruffled leaves sway gracefully under water, while emergent forms grow considerably shorter with broader leaves. Spiralis propagate by growing multiple runners, and can be also be propagated through rhizome division. Sometimes when this is replanted in your aquarium some of the leaves will melt. Don't worry about this too much as it's normal with crypts. It'll grow back. This plant can reach anywhere from 14 inches to 24 inches (with the right conditions). It makes a great mid to background plant.
Dwarf Sagittaria
The Dwarf Sagittaria, also known as Hudson Sagittaria and Ribbon Wapato, is a great aquatic plant for those just beginning to keep live plants in their aquariums. This fast growing plant resembles gr and can grow above the water level. Its unstemmed leaves will grow to form dense clusters. It is an amphibious plant, and will grow either partially or fully submersed. This plant typically stays under 6 inches tall and makes a decent carpet plant but in really low light conditions it's been known to get up to a foot tall reaching for the light. The Dwarf Sagittaria is a completely undemanding plant. Dwarf Sagittaria will propagate by producing multiple runners, and may need to be replaced with new Dwarf Sagittaria from time to time.
Blyxa Japonica
This plant stays between 3-6 inches and makes a great foreground plant. Once it is established it spread into a gr-like carpet. It has become a staple in the planted aquarium hobby due to its attractive gry, hedge-like appearance. If phosphate levels are kept high (1-2 ppm), this species will continuously produce small white flowers on long, thin stalks. Despite its appearance, B. japonica is actually a stem plant growing on a densely foliated, short stem. Unlike other gry mid- to foreground plants, it is not nearly as invasive since it does not produce long runners. Instead, it produces basal side shoots which can easily be divided from the main plant with a sharp pair of scissors.
Madagascar Lace
This plant can grow up to 2 feet tall. It is best as a mid or background plant and makes a great display piece. The leaves are rather delicate and can rip easily as well as collect a lot mulm (just junk from the water). You need to carefully clean the leaves every couple of days. Reproduction with this plant occurs through bulb separation, or formation of seeds after flowering. Plant this with the top of its bulb out of the soil/sand/gravel.
Banana Plant
Banana Plant, also known as the Big Floating Heart, is an interesting and unique looking Rosette Plant. It has banana-shaped roots that remain partially un-planted, and store the nutrients for the rest of the plant. Most tolerant of deep water and low light, it is an amphibious plant and will grow either fully, or partially submerged. The banana-shaped roots of this plant should be planted no more than 1/4 of their length. Plant them by gently pressing them into the substrate. They grow up to 6 inches tall but may send up leaves to the surface that look like lily pads. The tubers will start to 'rot' off as the plant matures and sends roots down, taking anywhere from a week to a couple of months. To help this plant stay healthy it is recommended that you take the lower leaves off once they start to yellow at the base of the plant. For more on the banana plant click the link: www.wetwebmedia.com/plantedtkssubwebindex/nymphoides.htm
Anacharis
The Anacharis, also known as the Brazilian Waterweed, is an ideal aquatic plant for beginners. Beautiful light to bright green leaves, with branching stems covered in bunches of linear, whorled leaves. The Anacharis anchors itself in the substrate by its roots, but will also grow when floating freely. Anacharis is an excellent nutrient controller and oxygen producer for all types of freshwater aquariums. As they grow to two feet, they are best as background plants. There are two types fof anacharis; elodea & egeria.
Hygrophila
Hygrophila, Temple Narrow Leaf plant will grow to a maximum size of 24", and should be pruned regularly to keep it from shading its neighbours. It makes an ideal background plant that will help in hiding the aquarium's equipment. This plant will not begin to branch until the top has been cut. Reproduction within this species is by cuttings. Simply cut the plant at the height that you desire, but leave room for growth, then strip the leaves off of about an inch of the stem, and plant into the gravel.
Moneywort
Moneywort, also known as Brahmi to herbalists, is an excellent plant for aquarists who are new to keeping live plants. They are amphibious and will grow either partially or fully submersed. Moneywort is a moderately hardy stem plant that will thrive in most aquariums. It will typically grow to 12" tall, but may grow even taller under high light conditions, even continuing to grow horizontally until it reaches the water's surface. If left untrimmed, it will extend its branches out of the water.
Four Leaf Clover
The Four Leaf Clover, also known as the Clover Fern, originates from inland Australia. It has two pairs of leaflets arranged in a four leaf clover pattern. The Four Leaf Clover can grow in a number of different soil types, ranging from sands to clays. Under the proper conditions, this fern will form a thick carpet with its numerous runners. It is amphibious, and will grow either partially or fully submersed. Planting the runners that grow from mature, healthy plants is the best way to propagate the Four Leaf Clover. When the "baby" is approximately half the size of the "parent," cut the roots apart so they may grow separate from one another. They may occasionally produce seeds that can be used to cultivate new plants, and can also produce adventitious shoots to be used for propagation. It grows up to one foot tall and is best as a mid to back ground plant.
Cardinal Plant
An easy-to-grow Cardinal Plant favoured in Dutch-style freshwater planted aquariums! Native to the eastern and central United States, Lobelia cardinalis, also known as "Cardinal Flower," is commonly found growing emergent along streams, ponds, and waterways. Kept in its submersed state in the home aquarium, its stems produce bright green leaves with scarlet red undersides. This unique stem plant grows upward at a moderate pace, producing side shoots and numerous white roots at the nodes. The Cardinal Plant's slow and dwarf growth makes it ideal for mid- ground placement to add density and interest to planted aquarium displays. It can grow to one foot tall.
Water Sprite
The Water Sprite, also known as the Indian Fern, is a great plant to use as a mid-ground plant and also as a floating plant. The delicate, lacy leaves also make great cover for fry to hide among. Due to its poor root system, the Water Sprite retrieves nutrients from the water. The Water Sprite will grow profusely under the correct conditions, and for this reason, is excellent at removing unwanted and unhealthy inorganic nutrients from the aquarium water. In smaller aquariums with open tops, the Water Sprite can grow out of the tank and form beautiful surface leaves. The delicately branched leaves are very decorative and provide good contrast to other leaf shapes. The Water Sprite makes a great starter plant for the aquarist new to plant keeping. Propagation is by adventitious plants from the tips of the leaves. Because of this, they are extremely easy to reproduce. It can grow to one foot high.
Vallisneria (Vallis for short)
Included among the various species of Vallisneria are some of the most adaptable and easy to keep plants available to the aquarist. Rarely expensive, and usually sold in even the smallest stores, Vallisneria are easy to obtain and settle into a new aquarium quickly without going into shock as many Cryptocoryne and Echinodorus species seem to do. They do not need special substrates enriched with laterite or loam, and they are not picky about water conditions, doing as well in slightly brackish water as they will in an ordinary freshwater community tank. In a centrally heated house, some species will even do well in unheated aquaria with cold water species. Unlike many aquarium plants, they are able to extract the carbon dioxide they need for photosynthesis from the carbonate salts in the water, so systems for adding carbon dioxide to the water aren't important either. All they really require is bright lighting, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on expensive metal-halide or mercury vapour lamps; two or three ordinary fluorescent lights that run the full length of the hood will do the job, providing you aquarium isn't more than 50 cm deep. In short, Vallisneria are excellent plants for the beginner and advanced hobbyist alike.
Rotala Rotundifolia or Indica
This is a pretty easy care and low demand plant. To plant the rotala just strip the leaves off the bottom inch to inch and a half and put in the substrate. Rotala indica (also known as R. rotundifolia) is an excellent aquarium plant, as it adapts to most typical water conditions. Growth is dependent on the amount of light and nutrients provided for the plant. In conditions of high light and nutrients The plant will grow quickly, and as it spreads across the surface of the water the plant will send down rootlets at most of the places where leaves are attached to the stem. The more light and food provided, the redder the leaves will become, and in conditions of sufficient food and high light levels R. indica will take on a beautiful red to the newer leaves of the growing stem. The more light provided the smaller and more densely packed the leaves will be. Easy to grow, it needs to be pruned regularly, with the cut growing tips planted to replace the older stems. Reproduction within this species is by cuttings. This plant can get really tall but it's very easy to trim and keep short. Simply cut the plant at the height that you desire, but leave room for growth, then strip the leaves off of about an inch of the stem, and plant into the gravel or toss the undesired cuttings.
Plants that are best tied on rocks or driftwood:
Anubias Nana
Anubias nana is a hardy plant that is an aquarium favourite among many hobbyists. This rosette plant may reach up to 6 inches in length and has beautiful dark green leaves in low, handsome clumps. It usually has diagonal lines running from the center vein to the leaf perimeter. Anubias nana has tall, variable foliage that is usually pointed to ovate. Because it grows well from cuttings, you can usually reproduce it easily. Under correct water conditions, the Anubias nana propagates by side shoots on the rhizome, causing rhizome division. These plants do best when tied to rocks or driftwood but the are fine planted as long as the rhizome isn't burried. Other varieties to consider are Anubias Congensis, Anubias hastifolia, Anubias coffeefolia and Anubias barteri. Not all types of anubias plants can remain submerged. Anubias nana can remain underwater without any problems.
Java Fern
Growing around 8 inches tall, with creeping, green rhizomes, Java Ferns are well suited for not only planted aquariums, but also those that contain cichlids and other large South American fish. They will propagate by adventitious plants on leaves & roots, and rhizome division may also be seen. These plants do best when tied to rocks or driftwood. (My favourite way to plant them is tied inside of a natural food grade cinnamon stick.)
Floating Plants:
Duckweed
Duckweeds, or water lens, are flowering aquatic plants which float on or just beneath the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of fresh water. It consists of numerous tiny plants and rapidly reproduces. Some fish favour it as food (as well as humans in Asia).
Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum is a floating aquatic plant, which can be mistaken for Water hyacinth. Juvenile plants grow in rosettes of floating leaves that lie prostrate upon the water surface. It reproduces and distributes sexually through flower pollination and seed production, and also vegetatively through fragmentation of stolon segments.
Mosses:
Marimo Moss Ball (or moss tribble - seriously they look like tribbles)
The Moss Ball is a spongy velvet-like green algae ball that in the wild is found around Japan and Northern Europe. In its natural habitat, they are moved around by undercurrents and sink or rise in order to receive plenty of light to carry out photosynthesis. The Moss Ball propagates by division. It starts with a division line which progresses to the splitting off of a smaller new Moss Ball. Just let these roll around your tank and gently squeeze them out once a month or so. Also remember to turn them or they will not stay round.
Java Moss
A little bit goes a long way: the thinner this is spread over rocks and driftwood, the better it will root itself and the prettier and healthier it will look as it grows. If you want faster growth, fluff up your moss to let more light get to it. The Moss loves stagnant water and lots of nitrite. In fact it will THRIVE on high nitrite levels and left over food and fish faecal matters. Grown in tanks by tying it with a string or fishing line onto driftwood or rocks, or just left free floating (great for fry!). It's easy to transplant - gently remove what you want to transplant and tie it onto something else.
Christmas Moss
Grown in tanks by tying it on to driftwood or rocks. Christmas moss is as mysterious as some of the other mosses in the aquarium hobby. There is no consensus on its geographic origins and even the scientific name has a tendency to change. Its growth habits and appearance are just as varied. When grown attached to a piece of driftwood or rock, it forms triangular fronds in the shape of Christmas trees (hence the common name). If allowed to grow free floating, it tends to have a much less organized appearance and the triangular fronds are much less pronounced. In this form, it is often confused for the much more common Java Moss. In lower light conditions, it grows much less densely, and again, is often much less organized in structure. Only under higher light conditions, attached or anchored to an object, does Christmas Moss show its true structure. It will form a willowy bush of triangular fronds that is very attractive and undemanding. This moss is very easy to grow in the aquarium, as it will grow with almost any amount of light. Although not as hardy as the legendary Java moss, it will survive with low light and no CO2. Growth will be considerably slower and it will not form the ideal structure, but it will still survive.
