small aquatic & bog plants for a 5.5 and 10 gallon

[rnocera]

I'm working on setting up two small paludariums and am looking for both aquatic and bog plants for them. The 5.5 gallon is most likely going to have 2-4" of water in it and a very small land area. I'm looking for plants that will grow in 2-4" of water, and at least one or two species of plants that will grow on the land, and not outgrow the tank.

The 10 gallon, I'm looking to have at least 6-8" of water, maybe even up to within 2" of the top of the tank. So, for this one I'm not really looking for terrestrial/bog plants, but mostly aquatic plants that won't outgrow the tank.

Right now my thoughts are java moss, because it's basically a given in any tank I do. I grew riccia fluitans before, and quite liked it, and I think it would be about perfect for at least the 5.5. In the 5.5, I wouldn't mind growing riccia to cover the floor of the aquarium and would love to grow it terrestrially on the land. I'm also thinking anubias nana for in the water in both tanks, and a clipping of another type of anubias I have (no clue what species, but it's only about 5" tall) for the 10 gallon. I'm also thinking some type of wendtii in both tanks, but I don't know what would work best.

I'm thinking salvinia for a surface-floating plant in both tanks. I'll keep salvinia in small amounts, so it doesn't cut light off for the other plants, but I'd like to have something floating.

So, other than these I'm looking for- Terrestrial plants that grow 2-4" tall. For terrestrial plants in both tanks, I'd like something grass-like, and I wouldn't mind something leafy. I'd actually love to grow anubias emersed, but I don't know if that will work. Anyone know? And I'd like something grass-like for underwater in both tanks, as well.

Now, the limitations- both of these tanks are being designed for eastern newts. They're cold-water species, so there will be no heat in the tanks. And, I don't want to do a TON of light, because in general amphibians prefer dim lights. I'll have to do enough to keep Riccia alive at least, but in the shallow water, I'm imagining a single spiral CFL over either tank would be enough to keep the riccia alive. And finally, I'd like to not have the light on ALL day. I'd like to have light for about 6 hours a day. I'd like to avoid adding ferts if possible, although I will add some if need be, and I will NOT be adding CO2. Anyone have any suggestions for plants that would work for me?

Thanks!

 

[Noto]

Small Eleocharis such as E. tenellus will work for both submersed and terrestrial "grasses"; in nature they are riparian plants and seldom grow submersed. You could also try Equisetum scirpoides for the terrestrial "grass"; it gets 6" high or a little more, so may be bigger than you are looking for, but I think it's very attractive. It is commonly available at garden centers. Other good small moisture-loving terrestrials include Sellaginella, Peperomia, and Oxalis species; check out www.blackjungle.com for a selection of these.

Salvinia should be fine as a floater, but Azolla, duckweeds, or even Riccia itself (normally a floating plant in nature) would also work.

Would you be interested in doing a biotope? Of the plants listed above, E. tenellus, E. scirpoides, Azolla, duckweeds, and Riccia are all common associates of eastern newts.

 

[rnocera]

Thanks for the input. I've been looking into your suggestions, and like them all. I was thinking of the salvinia simply because it's bigger than the Azolla and duckweeds, but I am contemplating going with a biotope. I'm scared of both of those smaller floaters taking off and multiplying everywhere. One of my friends had giant duckweed a while back- I'll see if she still has any. That might be a good alternative for me.

I also think I'm going to try growing Anubias nana emersed at the shoreline, even though it doesn't fit the biotope. I just love the look of the leafy plants, and think it might be a good one for me.

 

[Noto]

Yeah, duckweed is a pain. Giant duckweed is almost as much of a pain as the smaller species. I have Spirodela, Lemna, and Wolffia in some of my planted tanks, and I can't get rid of them for the life of me. Azolla, in my experience at least, is less explosive. If you can find it, Ricciocarpus natans is another nice native floating liverwort, with much broader thalli than those of Riccia. You could also use floating-leaved natives like Nymphoides aquatica.

Some smallish leafy natives that will grow emersed: Bacopa caroliniana, Hydrocotyle verticillata, Ludwigia repens, L. palustris.

Also, a correction to my post above: I somehow mixed up Eleocharis acicularis and Echinodorus tenellus. Both are good plants for your setup, and both are biotopically appropriate.