utricularia graminifolia

[crashnburn55]

Anyone have suggestions for a tight mat/dense mat foreground carpeting plant similar to utricularia graminifolia?  I like the way it forms a very dense carpet.  My water is pretty hard, pH of 7.5 or so, and I read that utricularia graminifolia prefers softer water, like pH of 6.5.  The fish that are to go in the tank also prefer pHs of 7-8.  Any ideas?

[Jack.of.all.aquariums]

There are a few species of dwarf hair grass that become very dense with proper care and would look similar to UG. In order to get a dense carpet there are a few options. Lots of patience, buying a lot of it up front, or co2 injection. Co2 injection being the most effective in achieving a very dence carpet in my experience. My preference for dwarf hair grass is sold as sp. 'mini' or 'belem'. The blades curl downward which helps limit the need for trimming. 

[James Croney]

I'm looking into my first carpet plant... and I think this one might be the one for me!

I heard it was a dense carpet plant, and was sold on the idea when i heard it eats the little Infusoria in the water as a carnivorous plant. I always thought venus fly traps were cool, but they don't grow under water.

Ill get a few cultures and see how it goes. My water is also pretty hard (guppies and guppy grass with snails) so Ill see if they have what it takes to survive. 🙂

[OnlyGenusCaps]

15 minutes ago, James Croney said:

I always thought venus fly traps were cool, but they don't grow under water.

There is a plant that is basically an underwater Venus fly trap. 

[James Croney]

Ahh that's cool for a floating plant! Duckweed is my floating plant of choice. I suppose I could tie it to a coconut bridge or something.

 

... Can you convert a venus fly trap to fully submersed? I wonder...

[OnlyGenusCaps]

40 minutes ago, James Croney said:

Can you convert a venus fly trap to fully submersed? I wonder...

No.  They are submerged in habitat for sometimes a week or more, but they can't survive long-term in that state.  Aldrovanda is as close as you can get.  But there are some red forms of that.