Suggestions please?

[Enkil]

I am thinking about spoiling our Hannibal a little more. I would like to replace the fake hairgrass plant in his 3.5 gallon with a live plant. Would this be a good idea?
Any suggestions a plant to replace it with? His water is heated (staying at about 76*-78*) and he has a filter.

[wolfiegreen]

i prefer java fern weve had the stuff for years

[thekoimaiden]

Anubias is another great low-light plant. I have it in all of my betta tanks. The large leaves make nice resting places.

[Enkil]

Java fern is a little off putting to me.. I worry about Hannibal's fins. He likes to interact with his plant and came to us with fin "issues" (still in the process of regrowing).

Anubias look nice. Would they do ok with his little LED lighting?

[thekoimaiden]

Anubias will do fine in any lighting. It's really undemanding. Java fern is very gentle. I have it in my tanks even with the boys with the longest fins. I've never had any problems with it. Live plants generally don't cause fin ripping problems.

[Enkil]

That's a relief. I begin to worry with his fake plant since it's plastic...

I'll have to take a look at what our local stores have then. Depending on what they have, I might be able to put 2 plants in his tank as he has no other decorations. He seems to like it this way though and uses the heater as a cave. I think the anubias would look nice with his lighting though.

[scootshoot]

Originally Posted by Enkil

That's a relief. I begin to worry with his fake plant since it's plastic...

I'll have to take a look at what our local stores have then. Depending on what they have, I might be able to put 2 plants in his tank as he has no other decorations. He seems to like it this way though and uses the heater as a cave. I think the anubias would look nice with his lighting though.

Get the silk plants over plastic. Luckily my petco just had a clearance sale on silk plants. Large ones going for close to 10 bucks were 5, the small and mid size were all 3 bucks, needless to say I bought a bunch which will mix well with my live plants in the 15

[thekoimaiden]

I've seen both Anubias and Java fern at Petsmart (don't know if you have that store locally, tho). They're really easy plants to keep, so many place often have them.

[Bombalurina]

Just stay away from semi-aquatics, such as aluminium, purple waffle, scarlet temple, golden ribbon, mondo grass and violet. They will rot in the tank, unless you plan to grow them half in, half out (which can look pretty awesome).

[LunaticFringeInc]

I have to admit too that I would seriously recommend the Java Fern and Anubias. Both are pretty easy and not too demanding, plants to grow in an aquarium, at least in my experience. There are others that are available and reasonably easy and available to do but both of these seem to be commonly available at Petco and Petsmart on a regular basis. Both should do well under modest lighting in the 5500-6500K color temp bulbs available in the aquarium section of the store.