| Content | Bolbitis heudelotii
Characteristics:
Max Size: 16"
Care Level: Easy
Nutrient Source: Column Feeder
Composition: Background
Parameters
Co2: None
Light Level: Low
Tank Mates
Great for nano community fish like tetras, rasboras, danios, mollies, endlers, otocinclus, corydoras, dwarf gouramis. Avoid larger mid dwellers that may pick on its delicate leaves like cichlids and goldfish.
Notes
Also known as Congo Fern or Bolbitis Narrow Leaf Fern is a column feeding plant. It has a narrow leaves that branch off on alternating sides of the stem. Similar to Java Fern, do not bury it deep into the soil as the rhizome can rot. Lightly bury, weigh it down, or tie it to hardscapes to allow it to grow. It's a very slow growing plant in low light settings, but can propagate fast with CO2 and moderate lighting, but look out for algae on the leaves.
| Vallisneria
Characteristics:
Max Size: 20″+
Care Level: Easy
Nutrient Source: Root Feeder
Composition: Background
Parameters
Co2: Not Required, but grows faster with
Light Level: Medium
Tank Mates
Vallisneria is a popular backdrop for middle to top dwelling fish like tetras, gouramis and angelfish.
Notes
This is a very easy background plant. It does not require CO2 and will thrive with good subtrate and water column.
https://plantedtankmates.com/aquarium-plants-for-beginners/ | Bacopa monnieri
Characteristics:
Max Size: 12"
Care Level: Easy
Nutrient Source: Root Feeder
Composition: Midground / Background
Parameters
Co2: None
Light Level: Medium
Tank Mates
Most nano community fish including tetras, danios, barbs, rasboras, dwarf gouramis, swordtails, guppies, endlers, platties, shrimp and snails.
Notes
Moneywort makes a good midground to background plant. Their thick stems need to be planted in aquatic soil or gravel fed with root feeding tabs. They grow quick, so remove any decaying leaves, trim the stems and plant them right back in the soil. This is an easy plant that can provide shelter for a lot of smaller fish, shrimp and fry.
| Eleocharis Acicularis
Characteristics:
Max Size: 3"
Care Level: Medium
Nutrient Source: Root Feeder
Composition: Carpet
Parameters
Co2: Grows best with Co2
Light Level: Medium to High
Tank Mates
Great carpet plant. Creates a lush looking lawn
Notes
Dwarf Hairgrass look like Microswords but are much more thin and fine in appearance. These can create a nice and compact grass appearance in any foreground. Without CO2, they will grow much slower and a little sparse. Strong lighting will help it densify and fine soil will prevent uprooting.
Compare carpet plant options and select the next one for your planted tank
See the diagrams on how you can setup CO2 for your aquarium | Rotala Macrandra
Characteristics:
Max Size: 12″
Care Level: Advance
Nutrient Source: Root Feeder + Water Column
Composition: Background
Parameters
Co2: High
Light Level: High
Tank Mates
Great for community fish, shrimp and snails
Notes
Rotala Macrandra provides outstanding red colors, but it is very demanding when it comes to nutrients. The conditions must be perfect which includes a good substrate, iron and trace dosing, high lighting and CO2. The PH for this plant should not exceed 7.0 as it prefers softer and acidic waters.
Read more about how to maintain Red Aquarium Plants
See the diagrams on how you can setup CO2 for your aquarium | Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
Characteristics:
Max Size: 3"
Care Level: Easy
Nutrient Source: Root Feeder
Composition: Carpet and Foreground
Parameters
Co2: Optional
Light Level: Medium to High
Tank Mates
Great carpet plant. Creates a lush looking lawn. Closely resembles grass
Notes
Microsword is one of the easiest carpet plants for beginners. They’re relatively hardy and look like real lawn grass. Plant clusters about 1.5” - 2” apart and allow them to infill. They have runners that spread over the surface and shoot roots down into the substrate. When planting, angle into the substrate at a diagonal to minimize uplifting.
Compare carpet plant options and select the next one for your planted tank
See the diagrams on how you can setup CO2 for your aquarium |
