should I stick to plastic?

[Jess.in.WI]

just a quick question, is there any plant that will do well under "normal" aquarium fl. lighting, or should I just stick to the plastic ones? I just got rid of all my saltwater stuff cuz it was getting to be too much of a hassle, and I want my fresh tank to be as hassle free as possible aside from normal upkeep.
thanks!

 

[WyldFya]

Anubia, java moss, and java fern would all be able to survive in a small tank that has just standard bubls. Nothing over 18" will do though, has to be a fairly short tank.

 

[Oddball]

Anubia, java moss, and java fern would all be able to survive in a small tank that has just standard bubls. Nothing over 18" will do though, has to be a fairly short tank.

Great choices. I'd like to add that Anubias nana is probably the most durable species in this genus. It's roots may be buried in substrate or anchored to driftwood. Java fern does better either loose or anchored. Don't bury its rhyzome (roots).
A couple of other low maintenance/light plants are Bolbitis sp. and the FW onion plant. Bolbitis can be maintained the same as java fern. The onion is so called for the appearance of it's main body. It grows long 1" wide leaves up to 5 ft in length

 

[guppy]

should I stick to plastic?

Not unless you are really oockie!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Jess.in.WI]

oh brother! lol!

Ok, so I got three new plants today! I did end up getting an anubias nana and a java fern; the fern is growing out of both ends of the tuber (?) and she tried to shake one off but I ended up getting "both", so nah! Then I got a third plant since they were 3 for $12... but I can't remember off hand what it is, but she said it gets nice red leaves? I'll update when I get home with pics.

I also got some fishies! 3 congo tetras, which I just love, and I'm so glad to have some again.

hey, thanks for the help and suggestions!

 

[WyldFya]

Red plants in general need low nitrate levels, and high iron, as well as high lighting in general. Unless you are at a lighting of a bare minimum 3 wpg, and co2 (reaction or pressurized), and good ferts, the red will bleach out. Certain plants that have a red-orange-yellow color will just die off in normal conditions. I'd recommend taking it back and exchanging it for something else that is hardier.

 

[Jess.in.WI]

well it's an hour round trip so I'll take my chances with it... it is called a Cardinal Plant.

real dumb question, but do you have to acclimate plants? cuz um, I am! I'm treating them just like fish, floating and adding my tank water every 5 minutes or so. You may be but I figure hey, better safe than sorry. They've been bagged up for almost ten hours now, no need to just shock them into my tank.

 

[WyldFya]

No need to acclimate the plants. When they are shipped they often spend days without heat, or light, and will survive no problems.

The plant you got is likely Lobelia cardinalis, and is a VERY slow grower. IME it needs moderate light at the least, and co2 helps, but it will survive without it. This isn't a true red plant, but will have some red highlights. Great looking plants, but difficult to keep.