Ground cover for sand?

I'd like to get some kind of carpeting/ground cover (I don't know the correct term for it) for soft sand, when I inquired at my LFS they said they didn't have any suitable ones, which kinds are suitable and where can I get them in Johannesurg/online?

 

hey, groundcover is generally tricky but some options are Glosso, dwarf hair grass..
hemianthus callitrichoides
Riccia Fluitans

issue is they generally require good lighting and co2. if your lighting isnt sufficient they will grow long and leggy rather and horizontally like a carpet. Its generally a matter of preference depending on your layout and current content, they can be a bit tricky though as stated.

 

I asked a very similar question on another forum for my low tech planted tank (pool filter sand substrate, diy osmocote root tabs, Scape Liquid Carbon, no CO2 injection, not great light) and the suggestions I got were:
Tenellus (Helanthium Tenellum)
Monte Carlo
Cobra grass (Lilaeopsis brasiliensis)
I don't have any of these at the moment so can't vouch for them, but I'm currently giving staurogyne repens a try as well.

 

@RoGe, all good options, issue is also availability, I haven't come across most of those in our region...

 

@MattLamm hooked me up with the staurogyne, I got lilaeopsis novae-zelandae off betterweather (not sure, but I think this is a little more difficult than brasiliensis). Plants are fairly easy to ship, so I'm asking around for monte carlo and tenellus, even if it comes from outside KZN..

 

I got carpets at the moment. Got some monte, hc, glosso, stauro and cobra grass amongst other nin carpet stuff. PM me if you want anything and can make a plan next week.

 

@MattLamm, hey bud. I was reliably informed that you may have a little Bolbitis to sell.. could this be true ?

 

Technically...you can even use stems as a foreground/carpeting plant...you just gonna trim them as regularly as a pornstar

 

@GregM unfortunately my bolbitus is a bit worse for wear at the moment. Haven't got any to sell.

Yes @Smurf Man... that would be a lot of trimming!

 

Alright, thanks for the feedback! I'll look into them

 

@MattLamm please let me know if/when they come back, I would love some.

 

@MattLamm I am interested in getting some plants from you but I can't get a message through, it says you've exceeded your PM storage

 

@hayleycw... Sorry about that. Did some clean up

 

Sure thing. I still have some, it's just a small piece at the moment and not looking great. Setting up a proper hi-tech tank now so it should thrive there.

 

IMHO Hydrocotyle tripartita is the easiest foreground plant I have come across.:idea: