which plant would suite these conditions

[Vampire fish]

I have a 75 gallon and a 125 gallon. Pretty decent flow (current), tons of natural sunlight, pea sized gravel so bigger than usual i would think (substrate).
I want one plant that can engulf the tank (like a weed) and can wit stand the flow and requires no hard maitnance (like c02 any of that stuff). It should also be able to settle and spread nicely in the "pea" sized gravel (its literally what you would get from home depot)
Going for that long stranded, thick, tall, overgrown look
WHAT IS THE BEST PLANT FOR MY TANK
*nothing exotic that I would have to order*

 

[convict360]

elodea, it will very quickly grow and extend all over the place; however, it does tend to float about the place, and isn't supposed to be planted into the substrate.

 

[monkeybike]

Or Hornwort

 

[HumanBean]

Water lettuce maybe

 

[skjl47]

Hello; The free floating suggestions already mentioned are good choices to try. For rooted plants getting plenty of light a couple of giant or other Sagittaria might work. Also some of the Vallisneria might work. If you manage to get some of these established, then the lower light plants might take hold in their shade.

As to the CO2 injection, I have grown nice tanks of plants without it for over 50 years. I am not against the use of CO2 and it is reported to have benefits.

I like my substrate to be four inches or more deep in a planted tank when possible, but that is not so important. I am thinking that if some plants do not take a hold in the larger gravel, that some sort of pot burried in the gravel could be a way to get them started. In the old days plants often came in bundles with a thin strip lead wrapped around them. Such a lead strip might help hold plants in place until they take root.



Good luck

 

[Vampire fish]

good information thanks guys

 

[Manu8__too]

Water Wisteria grows incredibly fast and is very a attractive plant. The picture below is of my old 55G planted tank (low-tech). As you can see, the Water Wisteria was pretty much overtaking the rest of the tank. I ended up having to trim it 1-2 weekly because of how fast it grew. In addition, it is very easy to propagate.