Which Stem Plant?

[Ben M]

Hi, I'm looking for a stem plant for the background of my 40l nano (see link to journal in my sig). I dose EI ferts and easy carbo, and the light is 18W. I don't know if the substrate may be an issue, as it is coral sand (more like small gravel than sand) from when it was a mbuna fry grow on tank. I'm looking for a stem plant that will do well in these conditions, and will grow quite compact up to the top of my tank (40cm ish).

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Rob P]

Bacopa caroliniana, Ludwigia repens, Lysimachia nummularia 'aurea'

In fact, that last one I know particularly does well lower energy, and it's a nice plant

http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/lysimachia-nummularia-aurea-p-5088.html

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
Hygrophila corymbosa or H. polysperma? They both do well in hard water.

cheers Darrel

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
Another one, but a bit of a "left field" suggestion Najas guadalupensis.

cheers Darrel

 

[Ben M]

Thanks guys! I do like the look of the Ludwigia repens. I also like Rotala rotundifolia, would that be suitable? As for the hard water, on top of the coral sand, my tap water is also quite hard. However, I am hoping with the beech and oak leaves and the oak branches that the water won't be too hard. Do you think that would be a sensible assumption? I also like the Hygrophila corymbosa and H. polysperma, but I think the leaves may be a bit too big for my tank. But my brother has a 120l juwel lido which is very similar light/ferts/liquid carbon wise, so I could try those for his tank.

cheers,
Ben

 

[Ben M]

I'm not too sure about the Najas guadalupensis TBH, I think I prefer the others you suggested.

 

[Rob P]

Juncus repens is nice and elegant and growing well in a low tech for me

 

[Sacha]

Ludwigia Palustris
Hygrophila Polysperma
Myriophyllum
Elodea

Those are some of my favourites.

 

[Ben M]

Thanks, I'm not too keen on that one unfortunately.

I think my favourite out of the suggested is Ludwigia repens. But if I can find some Hygrophila corymbosa or H. polysperma I'll try those too in the other tank. Does anyone know how Rotala rotundifolia would do in my tank?

Cheers,
Ben

 

[Ben M]

I like the Ludwigia palustris, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Rob P]

Does anyone know how Rotala rotundifolia would do in my tank?

Cheers,
Ben

Should be fine but i think it varies appearance a lot depending on conditions so you should just try it. I grew it late last year in hi tech tank with low - medium light and it grew well enough but stayed green. I lost it all in an incident and never replaced.

I've just been sent some more which went in a couple of days ago and looks completely different and is distinctly red as it's been grown on in hi tech, hi light, hi co2 conditions so i'm hoping it keeps some colour!!

 

[Sacha]

I think Ludwigia Palustris looks nicer than Ludwigia Repens.

It's probably my favourite plant.

 

[Ben M]

Thanks. I'm hoping that if I go for the Ludwigia repens it will be at least slightly red, as I like the red colour which the L. palustris doesn't have.

I think I'll see if anyone on here is selling some Ludwigia repens, H. polysperma and H. corymbosa.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[Sacha]

Alternatively, you could just buy Ludwigia Palustris Red

 

[Ben M]

Aha, I didn't know such a plant existed. How red do you think it would grow compared to the repens?

And I'm not sure how easily I could find someone who is selling some on here?

Cheers,
Ben

 

[Sacha]

The Repens will be more red and require less light to show its red colour. I only suggest it because I prefer the shape of Palustris.

 

[Ben M]

Thanks. I've put a wanted ad in classifieds, so I'll see which people have got. I think its hard for me to tell which I prefer, as I haven't seen them in my tank before, so I don't know quite how they'll look.

 

[G H Nelson]

You would be better with Luwigia sp tropica for a Nano
LUDWIGIA SP.' PALUSTRIS' Red.....can grow quite large leaf size wise.
See plant details under photo

Plant Details

 

[Ben M]

Thanks. The only thing is that it says it needs co2?

 

[G H Nelson]

Your adding Carbon...Liquid.