Plant recomendations

[Scaperoot]

I’m hoping to get some recommendations on plants that would look and do well in middle, open area of our 40 breeder (pictured). I’ve never had much success with things like Monte Carlo or Staurogyne Repens. I don’t want anything that would grow tall either. The only thing I can think of is dwarf hair grass. 

[Sleepy]

Would be best to provide more info:

Lighting

Substrate

CO2

etc.

[Scaperoot]

I'm using a Hygger 20W full spectrum light. Substrate is black blasting sand, and tank is low tech. I dose Easy green weekly.  

[Guppysnail]

I like low growing crypts for front areas. Easy to grow and does not obstruct my view.  

[Sleepy]

On 2/10/2023 at 11:56 AM, Scaperoot said:

I'm using a Hygger 20W full spectrum light. Substrate is black blasting sand, and tank is low tech. I dose Easy green weekly.  

Yeah that would be why you didnt have any luck with Monte Carlo or S Repens and would advise against hair grass. My personal recommendation would be crypt lucens or crypt parva or both! Also I would invest in some root tabs if at all possible.

[lefty o]

crypt parva.

[Miska]

On 2/10/2023 at 12:09 PM, Guppysnail said:

I like low growing crypts for front areas. Easy to grow and does not obstruct my view.  

Those are absolutely gorgeous! Looks so nice!

[MattyM]

Dwarf Sag or Micro Sword might work well. 

[anewbie]

The light is pretty darn weak - i'd get something a bit stronger - closer to 40 watts - anyway as for plants - i have crypts in my front - these are nurii rosen:

 

If the light is strong the leaves will stay near the bottom. I have a wenditti on the other side (I think it is wenditti) that is around 14 inches high and a pink jacobi that is a bit taller.

another nice crypt is tiger spiralis (the red leaves you see above).

Edited February 10, 2023 by anewbie

[Scaperoot]

Thanks for the suggestions. Not sure when I'll be able to buy a better light, but I'll try Crypts. I forgot to mention that I also use root tabs. 

[Sleepy]

On 2/10/2023 at 2:23 PM, Scaperoot said:

Thanks for the suggestions. Not sure when I'll be able to buy a better light, but I'll try Crypts. I forgot to mention that I also use root tabs. 

In my opinion the light is fine for what you are growing judging from your pic everything seems to be doing well and adding crypts will not require more light so I wouldnt worry about that.

[knee]

Lobelia Cardinalis and rotala indica 'bonsai' are good mid growing plants and could do well with your light. AR mini/rosanervig would add some red to the tank.

 

You can also try hydrocotyle tripartita, but you would need to train the plant to grow low by constant trimming in the beginning.

I have used the hyger 50W light on my 20 long and it grew plants well. Not sure how well the 20w will do in a 40B but you can still try. 

[Mmiller2001]

Crypt Lucens

[Scaperoot]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I got a few plants from ACO and some from APF. The fish have already dug them up a few times so I added weights. Hoping they’ll be able to develop strong roots.