Easy growing grass

Discussion in 'Planted Tanks' started by DesertConvert, Mar 23, 2011.

  1. DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2011
    Messages:
    571
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Pretoria
    Hi to all in the know,

    is there a grass, or a grass-like plant, that I can put in my tank? Something that doesn't require a fancy substrate (I only have plain silica gravel) or adding of fertilisers?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Guest




  3. shihr

    shihr Glosso

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2010
    Messages:
    1,838
    Likes Received:
    18
    Location:
    JHB
    easiest type i find is probably vailis? U can also try hair grass or lilaopsis..but those need more light than other plants..
     
  4. OP
    DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2011
    Messages:
    571
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Pretoria
    OK, so the vallisneria can go into plain gravel, the hairgrass & lilaeopsis need rich gravel. Guess I'll try the vallis then. Thanks!
     
  5. shihr

    shihr Glosso

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2010
    Messages:
    1,838
    Likes Received:
    18
    Location:
    JHB
    hairgrass & lilaeopsis can also grow in gravel.. i got mine to. but you need stronger lights and a fertilizer reigeme compared to vallis
     
  6. SalmonAfrica

    SalmonAfrica Batfish

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2008
    Messages:
    3,080
    Likes Received:
    471
    Location:
    Durban
    Just a heads-up on the Vallis - it grows like a weed. It's a good thing, no doubt, but will require pruning and removal of excess plants every so often due to their rampant growth.
     
  7. OP
    DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2011
    Messages:
    571
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Pretoria
    That is what I'm trying to avoid for the moment. From a lighting perspective...I have 2 Jebo 10K 25W white T8's that I can put over my tank(light to substrate distance is approx. 30-35 cm). Is this sufficient lighting? I know the going rate is 1W per L, though I would think it has more to do with light penetration?
     
  8. OP
    DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2011
    Messages:
    571
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Pretoria

    Thanks. I do want good growth, but as you say, it will need management. How tall does the Vallis grow?
     
  9. SalmonAfrica

    SalmonAfrica Batfish

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2008
    Messages:
    3,080
    Likes Received:
    471
    Location:
    Durban
    I've had some leaves grow as long as a meter! But that was after quite some time (say several months), and I wouldn't expect too much larger. Be aware that once the leaves reach the surface, they will continue to grow along the surface as well.
     
  10. OP
    DesertConvert

    DesertConvert Toad

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2011
    Messages:
    571
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Pretoria
    Eish! Guess my tank can then double up as a pot plant! Will have to do some serious trimming then :)
     
  11. zaqwsx15

    zaqwsx15

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2010
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Century City, Cape Town
    i have dwarf hairgrass in silica sand with 15W T8 - (mega low light) and im adding water column ferts, Crypto tabs and fourish excel

    every batch its growing new runners and seems to be fine wiht no substrate and low light
     
  12. Firefly

    Firefly Pleco

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2010
    Messages:
    2,333
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    East London
    Easily beat that...
     

Recent Posts

Loading...
Similar Threads - Easy growing grass Forum Date
Wanted: want easy fast growing plants Wanted/Swop/Freebies Jul 24, 2013
Easy growing plants for breeding tanks? Advanced Topics Feb 22, 2011
Looking for easy care plants General Discussions Nov 18, 2021
What makes an easygoing aquarium? General Discussions Mar 14, 2021
Help me stock a new easy going 5 foot tank Community Tanks Feb 12, 2021
RSS Feed Green Terror Cichlid: Colorful And Easy To Care For RSS Feeds May 4, 2020
RSS Feed How To Care For The Easy-To-Handle Sagittaria Aquatic Plant RSS Feeds Mar 30, 2020

Share This Page