What are some plants (from petsmart) that are easy to care for in 10g aquariums?

TessaStarraphobia · 24-10-09, 08:59

I have this light: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754093&lmdn=Brand
Use this plant food: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754007
And this fertilizer: http://aquariumpharm.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductID=54
Temp is around 80*F (give or take a few degrees)

What are some plants that would be suitable for my tank conditions? I have an amazon sword but I'm having bad luck with it. I'm hoping with my new light and fertilizer I can save it though. So what plants would you recommend? Some basic info on the plants would be nice too.
Alright thanks. I think I'm gonna start buying my plants online because so far everything I bought from the pet store has turned out to be non-aquatic and/or mislabeled -_-

Black Kat · 26-10-09, 23:24

Amazon swords are nutrient hogs. They won't do well unless they have a nutrient rich environment at their roots. The laterite is a good start, but the fertilizer you're using seems to be one meant for plants that absorb nutrients through their leaves rather than thier roots. You might be better off if you get a fertilizer tablet you can add under the substrate like these: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/5502/product.web
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/5498/product.web

And are you sure the sword you have in an Amazon? There's a plant that looks similar that stores sell as a Brazilian sword, but it's not really an aquatic plant: http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-235.htm These are related to the houseplant, peace lily.

Some that should do the best are plants that need lower light. They can live in higher light conditions, though. Java fern [and you can get this in a few varieties, I have regular, narrow leaved, and a fancy *lace* http://www.plantgeek.net/images/plantpics/Windlov2.jpg versions]. Anubias nana is another plant that seems to do well for everybody, and it stays smaller so it's good for a 10 gallon tank. There's even a smaller version of it called Anubias nana petite which stays even smaller. Not all of these would be at Petsmart, though. I bought mine through a planted tank club I belong to.

Aponogeton bulbs [the betta bulbs] usually do okay for me, I've even had some that flowered. Not that the flowers are much to look at.

Crypts [Cryptocoryne] should do well, but expect them to look bad for a while after you've planted them. Crypts are known for *crypt melt* anytime they're transplanted.

Hornwort and vals [Vallisneria] are some other easy plants to grow.

None of these plants needs any CO2 or any other special treatment. A plant substrate is a plus, but not always necessary. I have many of my plants in tanks with just pool filter sand as a substrate, and I have to trim them back periodically to see the fish.

Rob M · 27-10-09, 01:06

Java Fern is pretty much indestructible. It's propagating for me with zero ferts nor much light beyond ambient room lighting. Granted it's slower then if I used ferts and lighting, but it's still doing fine. The only real problem that might come up is that Java Fern can "burn out" from too much light, so you might be best served placing it into a shady section of the tank. I know some Petsmart stores have it cause that's where I found mine (in pathetic condition!).

Oh ya, it's not a true rooting plant. Do NOT bury it into the substrate! Tie it down to driftwood or rocks instead.

24-10-09, 08:59	#1
TessaStarraphobia Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	What are some plants (from petsmart) that are easy to care for in 10g aquariums? I have this light: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754093&lmdn=Brand Use this plant food: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754007 And this fertilizer: http://aquariumpharm.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductID=54 Temp is around 80*F (give or take a few degrees) What are some plants that would be suitable for my tank conditions? I have an amazon sword but I'm having bad luck with it. I'm hoping with my new light and fertilizer I can save it though. So what plants would you recommend? Some basic info on the plants would be nice too. Alright thanks. I think I'm gonna start buying my plants online because so far everything I bought from the pet store has turned out to be non-aquatic and/or mislabeled -_-

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26-10-09, 23:24	#2
Black Kat Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9	Amazon swords are nutrient hogs. They won't do well unless they have a nutrient rich environment at their roots. The laterite is a good start, but the fertilizer you're using seems to be one meant for plants that absorb nutrients through their leaves rather than thier roots. You might be better off if you get a fertilizer tablet you can add under the substrate like these: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/5502/product.web http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/5498/product.web And are you sure the sword you have in an Amazon? There's a plant that looks similar that stores sell as a Brazilian sword, but it's not really an aquatic plant: http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-235.htm These are related to the houseplant, peace lily. Some that should do the best are plants that need lower light. They can live in higher light conditions, though. Java fern [and you can get this in a few varieties, I have regular, narrow leaved, and a fancy lace http://www.plantgeek.net/images/plantpics/Windlov2.jpg versions]. Anubias nana is another plant that seems to do well for everybody, and it stays smaller so it's good for a 10 gallon tank. There's even a smaller version of it called Anubias nana petite which stays even smaller. Not all of these would be at Petsmart, though. I bought mine through a planted tank club I belong to. Aponogeton bulbs [the betta bulbs] usually do okay for me, I've even had some that flowered. Not that the flowers are much to look at. Crypts [Cryptocoryne] should do well, but expect them to look bad for a while after you've planted them. Crypts are known for crypt melt anytime they're transplanted. Hornwort and vals [Vallisneria] are some other easy plants to grow. None of these plants needs any CO2 or any other special treatment. A plant substrate is a plus, but not always necessary. I have many of my plants in tanks with just pool filter sand as a substrate, and I have to trim them back periodically to see the fish.

27-10-09, 01:06	#3
Rob M Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 5	Java Fern is pretty much indestructible. It's propagating for me with zero ferts nor much light beyond ambient room lighting. Granted it's slower then if I used ferts and lighting, but it's still doing fine. The only real problem that might come up is that Java Fern can "burn out" from too much light, so you might be best served placing it into a shady section of the tank. I know some Petsmart stores have it cause that's where I found mine (in pathetic condition!). Oh ya, it's not a true rooting plant. Do NOT bury it into the substrate! Tie it down to driftwood or rocks instead.