Aquarium Decoration (Rocks, Plants and Substrates) • plant novice

[timbo6684]

I have an all male peacock tank with sand substrate and I was curious what type of live plants I can throw in there with minimal upkeep. I've never kept aquatic plants before and I thought I'd try it out. Thanks

[DJRansome]

Try java fern and anubias tied to rocks. You will need reasonable light (6500K or 6700K) for 8 hours daily.

[bbortko]

Anibus and Java fern are idiot proof. I picked up a fluval chi and placed both of them in there tied to driftwood then completely forget the tank had a light for the next 2 months and they did as well as when they were in a tank with hot5s. 6 months later they are still thriving under the miniscule t5 and no ferts.

[timbo6684]

Are there major differences in the species of anubias that I should watch for or are they all pretty much the same.

[bbortko]

I've had 4 or 5 different ones, can't remember which ones but differences were all aesthetics. There may be a couple that are a but touchy but I haven't seen them.

[DJRansome]

Go with the barteri for your first time...they are usually the easiest to find anyway.

[vann59]

Anibus and Java fern are idiot proof.

Hey hey hey! I know a really smart guy who had some Java fern die, not me of course, but this guy I know... and they just turned brown until they finally just had roots left, and then he ditched them, or at least that's what I heard.

[NeptunesNeighborhood]

sounds like an algae problem. Haha, no worries, I've lost Anubis before...

[littleolme]

We haven't had awesome luck with java fern either. Our anubias is great though, don't know why one is doing so well while the other kind of stagnates.

[vann59]

We haven't had awesome luck with java fern either. Our anubias is great though, don't know why one is doing so well while the other kind of stagnates.

This has been my experience, er um, my friends experience too. But he has algae on his anubias leaves. He wants the algae to grow on the rocks, not the plants.

[timbo6684]

How do I attach the plants to decor in the tank?

[bbortko]

I attach Java fern and anubis with fishing line. For Java moss I like to use superglue.

[DJRansome]

How do I attach the plants to decor in the tank?

Fishing line is permanent but invisible. Thread will eventually rot away after the roots attach. I like to pinch the roots between 2 rocks.