Plants for Asian Biotope...

[Corrado93]

Hi,

I am setting up a 33G planted Asian Biotope.

I would like suggestions on what asian plants to try.
My substrate will be black sand.
I want only green plants.
Hardy(its my first time keeping live plants)
Broad leaves, not needle type.
I also dont want any that get get too tall, the height of my tank is 18 inches.

thanks for ANY suggestions or a point in the right direction
C

 

[cassharper]

the majority (not all) of plants will not continue growing out of the water, especially the softer-stemmed plants. Once they hit the top, they will usually head off to the side and it's easy to trim them back... so no worries there.

Different crypts and valisneria, rotala, aponogeton, the java ferns, and most mosses will fit in with this style... plus most of them are fairly easy to grow (ferns, mosses, aponogeton, and the easier to find crypts being to the most prevalent)

 

[Lupin]

Red plants such as Nymphaea lotus would have make a good contrast to greens but it's your tank.

 

[LemonHead]

Asian?
Bamboo plants..

 

[Lupin]

Asian?
Bamboo plants..

They're not true aquatic plants and will rot in the long run if fully submersed.

 

[cassharper]

They're not true aquatic plants and will rot in the long run if fully submersed.

x2. Some type can be grown submerged, but not submersed.

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

start out with java fern, they are very very hardy.

java moss as well too. (Tho they're not what you're looking for)

Thats how I got hooked to plants.... have not looked back ever since!

 

[Corrado93]

thanks for all the replies.

I am looking to put taller plants in the rear, medium height plants for the middle(5-6 inches) and i am not sure if i will plant anything very short up front yet.

these are some that i like:
Hygrophilia Difformis
Hygrophilia Corymbosa
Cryptocoryne wendtii

what do you think of my 3 selections.
also, do i "need" a substrate such as Fluorite, or can regular sand be used?

C

 

[cassharper]

regular sand will be fine, it is actually a better substrate for rooting plants. The roots can gain hold faster.

 

[Corrado93]

regular sand will be fine, it is actually a better substrate for rooting plants. The roots can gain hold faster.

that is good news, Fluorite is very pricy at me LFS.

how deep should my sand bed be for best results with plants?

C