Looking for a good weed....

Ross Vandegrift wrote:
On 2005-04-01, Margolis wrote:

anacharis is a cold water plant. You can grow it in high temps, and when it
does grow it grows well. But it likes to 'melt' at tropical temps also.
Overall I wouldn't recommend it.


My tank runs about 82 deg F at this point: I must disagree.

I just trimmed the Anacharis out of my tank to pass on
the clippings. I pulled probably thirty stems out, most of which were
2-3 feet long! Two people on the group will be able to attest to that
when their plants show up this week ::-)

In my experience, temperature has never made a difference to my plants.
Granted, I don't mess with it - all my tank are tropical, 72-82 deg F.
But sufficient light, CO2, and fertilization are always what makes it
work.


There are a few identical plants sold as Anacharis and the plants can
only be distinguished by their flowers. One, Egerea densa is tropical
and a great aquarium plant. The others, Elodea spp. are coldwater
plants. It's just a matter of luck which you get from your LFS.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PlantedTk...dex/elodea.htm explains it.

videoman, if your swordplant is barely hanging in there, but java moss
grows great then your tank is probably low on light. Anubias will grow
slowly, but stay nice looking for a long time in low light conditions.
Java fern grows well, as do many Cryptocoryne spp. Your swordplant
would probably appreciate a nitrate-free fertilizer tablet at its roots,
and a trace element fertilizer like Flourish with iron is helpful.

Java fern and anubias can be tied to pieces of bogwood with dark thread
and don't require any substrate. They will eventually root onto the
wood for a beautiful effect. Cryptocorynes can be grown potted if you
don't want to worry about substrate - they're fine as long as they have
something to root in.

--
__ Elaine T __
__' http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Much thanks Elaine! I am going to be getting things together for plants
in my tanks using your and others suggestions. I was already thinking
about getting some crypts and now definitely will. I plan on getting
flourish plus iron, anubias, crypts, and nitrate free plant food
tablets. I am so happy with my tanks! They're beautiful and I feel
great knowing I am taking such good care of them and gravel vacuuming
them regularly with my method I have worked out to save all of the
babies afterward. Later, and thanks for the info Elaine!

I am really excited about my opportunities with plants here. I have
hornwort (which I will put in the bedroom tank and hope it grows like
the weed it is given it can take temperatures up to 85 degrees
fahrenheit), some anubius, some crypts, wisteria which will probably
exclusively will join the java ferns growing in the bigger tank, these
are all on the way now. I also purchased flourish with iron, jungle
plant food, and the jungle co2 fizz factory (any good anyone?), which
are now on the way as well. I tried to buy a venturi power head driven
co2 diffuser, red sea brand co2 injector but couldn't find it even with
a search, instead of the jungle co2 fizz factory. Both seem to be good
for small tanks. I'm all set and hoping the hornwort takes off so I
have an endless supply of it and I can just then dump some into my
turtle tank for the turtles to eat. Later all!