Plant help....need comparable plants

bigk_54

Ok I have some Anacharis in my tank, one of only 3 plants that is doing well in my water. What are some plants that will grow like they do?! When I got them bout 2-3 week ago they were about 6" tall now they are to the water line on my 55 gal and beautiful!!!! I want a tank with some great plants but most of my foreground plants look like hell

Plants that are doing well
Anacharis
Banana plant
Whisteria

Plants that are horrible.....
Anubias nana
Micro sword
Chain Sword

55 Gal Tank, 110 W of 6700 k light (10 hrs give or take a day), ph 7-75 range, 75-80 degree's, gravel substate, use root tabs occasionally, 2 cap of flourish a week, no co2

aunt kymmie

You know, I have the same plants that you do and the ones that are doing well are the same as yours, the ones that are doing poorly are the same as yours. I'm still trying to get it all figured out. My lighting is very similar to yours. Things started to get turned around when I started dosing with Excel daily and using Flourish just once a week. I use root tabs monthly.

One plant that I've found that grows like a weed in my tank is Cabomba and I love the looks of it. As far as foreground plants my melon swords are also doing very well. You may want to try those??

WisFish

My tank is similar but I use Excel. I'm having good luck with jungle vals, hygrophilia polysperma, Java Fern and red Ludwigia.

aunt kymmie

Thanks for the reminder on the red Ludwigia. I also have that plant and should have recommended that to bigk_54. It grows very well in my tank. Excel rocks!

onefish2fish

a helpful tip would be to pick up a single timer for your lights. you can find one for under $20, i know walmart has some as im sure hardware stores will too.
IMO 10 hours of light a day is alittle much but if it is working for you (and algae doesnt seem to be an issue) then do what works. 8 hours a day is prob. a better number but again if 10s working why change it. the timer will help with consistancy of your lights as well as not having to worry to turn them on or off.

on the subject of Chain Sword, when i had it i had a hard time growing it too. i got maybe 5 or so runners then it grew algae and basically went down hill from there. if your looking for another simple addition and have driftwood adding Java Moss or fern to it is a nice little touch.

bigk_54

As far as algea growth between 8 and 10 hrs of light, I seem to get more when I cut my hrs back????? Don't get it but it happens.

Maybe if I can find some Red Ludwigia Ill give it a run. What about Moneywort or four leave clover anyone try those?

I think my tank is just going to be all Anacharis LOL love the stuff it grows! Couple day ago I poped off some tops of it and planted them, BAM they growing like no tomorrow! LOL least I can grow weeds in my tank HAHA

WisFish

My lights are on for 12 hours a day. If you over stock with plants that can help reduce algae oddly enough. As for the red Ludwigia, I got mine at Walmart of all places. I wasn't even sure what it was. And once it started growing in my tank, it looked a lot different than it did in the store. They also had Moneywort but my wife said I needed to stop buying plants. There's no more room in the tank. But just make sure you "clean" any plant you get to make sure you don't introduce anything unwanted into the tank.
Haven't tried the clover.