Planting a bare bottom tank...

[Peter McFarlane]

I like the idea of a bare bottom tank, but also like the fish having planted areas for hiding in.

I know having plant pots full of gravel is an option, but what are the alternatives? I've seen some people with plants growing out of their bog/driftwood.... Is this done simply by tying the plants to the driftwood? What would they root in? Or will the roots just run free?

Would be grateful for any pointers/suggestions on this.

Thanks.

 

[gseith]

Any anubius sp. and java fern will root right to the driftwood or a pores rock. I also have java moss that has grown attached to some driftwood. I have java ferns growing in all my bare bottom tanks and they are attached to rocks and driftwood.

-Greg

 

[WolfFisho1]

Any anubius sp. and java fern will root right to the driftwood or a pores rock. I also have java moss that has grown attached to some driftwood. I have java ferns growing in all my bare bottom tanks and they are attached to rocks and driftwood.

-Greg

do u have regular flourescent lights on those tanks with java ferns?

 

[gseith]

Shop lights from the hardware store above some, and they grow just fine. No special bulb or anything. Some don't have any light above the tank and get the light from ceiling lights and grow just fine.

Greg

 

[WolfFisho1]

Shop lights from the hardware store above some, and they grow just fine. No special bulb or anything. Some don't have any light above the tank and get the light from ceiling lights and grow just fine.

Greg

wut kind of lightrs do u have on the cieling for the ones who get from the cieling?

ok thanks because i want to take some of the java ferns from my main planted tank and put them in a angel breeding tank i am setting up! and i dont wanna pay another $40-$60 for a specialized light!

 

[gseith]

They are those efficient spiral looking bulbs and they say 13 watts on the side, but I think they are equivalent to normal 60-75 watt bulbs. Nothing special. I am always pulling starts from my main plant and just throwing them in tanks.

greg

 

[ChrisGray]

another great plant that doesnt need any substarte is bolbitis, tie it to driftwood and let the roots be free in the water and it will thrive. i grow mine with standard florecent lights and no co2 and they grow great

 

[schaadrak]

Some plants can just be weighted down. Water sprite, water wisteria, hornwort, najas grass, some ludwiga species, brazilian pennywort, and riccia.

 

[voss345]

JUst pot them it looks cool
theres a few threads on hear with pictures with potted barebottom or tiled bb

 

[Peter McFarlane]

Thanks guys, some nice input there.

I'm gonna start hunting now, will update with pic's once i've got hold of some