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Beginner plants?

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plants
2K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  Angel079 
#1 ·
I'm extremely new to fishkeeping and all that, so what would be some good plants for the extreme beginner? Ones that aren't hard to take care of, and are fairly hardy. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
 
#2 ·
Any Hygrophilia; Pennywort; Java Moss and Rotala will do :)

Glad to hear you're new to the hobby and wanna start right out with plants rather then the plastic stuff :)
 
#3 ·
Chrysolite, welcome to the Forum. And welcome to the wonderful world of planted tanks.:)

If you can tell us the parameters of your water (pH, hardness) we might have other plant suggestions. Also, there is a four-part series of stickies at the head of this section describing a simple method for planted aquaria that may give you some background and ideas.

Byron.
 
#4 ·
I would reccomend aponogetons, and I also hear mexican oak leaf is fairly easy.

Don't forget java fern (both types). They're extremely hardy and undemanding.

Also the size of your tank would be useful. (for example vallisneria is good, but really only for larger tanks. Some Aponogetons get pretty big too...
 
#6 ·
The hardness of the water and the pH are the two important parameters. Temperature is also a parameter, but you already know that and it is fine. Nitrates are also important.

You can buy test kits for both pH and hardness, or a combination kit. Hardness is not something you usually need to test over and over, since once you know the hardness of tap water it is unlikely to change. Some fish stores will test water for you, and getting them to do the hardness test (ask for GH and KH, and get the numbers) will be sufficient.

A pH test kit is not very expensive, and worth having, as pH fluctuations in an aquarium can be dangerous. You should also have a nitrate test kit, as nitrates can increase suddenly if something happens. Once you have plants growing in the tank, nitrate will (should) be low and not a problem.

No question is stupid, don't ever be afraid to ask questions here; we have all learned these things by asking questions, or for the "older" of us;-) by making mistakes and learning the hard way.

Byron.
 
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