Question: BEST plants for Axolotl tank? (Java Fern, Anubias, etc.)

[HowToAxolotl]

What's up everybody!?

I am in the process of preparing my tank for my first axie, and I am trying to pick the perfect plant combo. From what I have read, Java Fern and Anubias seem to thrive in lower temp/light conditions, so they sound perfect... my only issue is, they are really bland looking! so with that said, what kind of plants would you suggest as the BEST option for a 10 gallon tank?

Thanks! I'm hyped to hear what you all have to say! roud:

 

[snuggly time]

Moss balls work well, sorry that's all I have in my axie tank so I'm not much help lol. I just have fake colourful plants. :happy:

 

[layna]

I have moss balls, elodea and some stuff that looks like grass (i dont know the name) then for added colour i use silk/fake plants

 

[HowToAxolotl]

Moss balls work well, sorry that's all I have in my axie tank so I'm not much help lol. I just have fake colourful plants. :happy:

By moss balls, are you referring to something like this? Fluval Moss Ball Ornament at PETCO

 

[HowToAxolotl]

I have moss balls, elodea and some stuff that looks like grass (i dont know the name) then for added colour i use silk/fake plants

I wasn't familiar with elodea, so I looked it up... wow, it looks pretty cool! I think it was be a great addition to the tank. Also, I have seen many tanks with the grass like plants you are referring to.

Is there are difference from plant to plant in regards to how they interact with the water? I have read that many absorb the ammonias, nitrites, and nitrates, but are some plants more efficient at this than others? ALSO, are there any other kinds of plants that can also effect other things in the water? ex. phosphates, pH, etc... Sorry if that question is a bit too broad, I'm just curious

 

[Alkylhalide]

Well plants that are more leafy/bigger surface area will absorb more ammonia and such.

Moss balls seem like the only thing i can keep alive in a tank so thats what i have lmak. My tank is pretty bland i was thinking of adding more plants someday expecially now that my tank is done cycling and in not stressing over that so much

 

[Tigermoth]

Java is good and Toothless tends to punt his moss ball around so fairly tolerant and helps to absorb nitrate, Millfoil, elodea (good oxygenation), depends on the size your axxie gets to has a water wisteria which looks a bit like lettuce. the best plants are usually ones that are flexible and have no hard edges on them. it may be worth having a look in the aquatic section of a garden centre to have an idea. fern like plants are also quite hardy.

Leaves that are reddish in colour require quite a lot of lighting so can be a little delicate and of course trial and error. the ones I have mentioned above are also cheap so if your axxie wrecks them they are easy and cheap to replace. I would avoid floating plants such as duckweed as this can clog filters but there are plants that can shade parts of a tank which axxies like. there are so many plants to choose from and the majority are safe for an aquarium and are great enrichment.

Happy gardening xx

 

[snuggly time]

They're just marimo moss balls in my tank.

 

[hairypumpkin]

I bought some Java Moss on ebay as it was cheapest there for me. (I bought a 1 1/2 cups of it for $12, it really expands in the water)

I'm also buying a bunch of silk plants off Dr Foster and Smith. If you buy 6 you get a discount. : ) And they are already cheap to begin with. Shipping is free if you spend over $49.

Fish Supplies: Fish Tank & Fish Care | DrsFosterSmith.com

 

[sabre]

There are other colder water species like hornwort and cabomba or vals (though most vals would probably not be good for something smaller like a 10 gallon). I'm still looking into axolotls myself and I was wondering about plants in the tank. Should we be concerned about particularly stiff plants (I've heard hornwort can be like pine needles)? And is there a chance that the axolotls might try to eat the plants?

 

[layna]

I just went with the theory that if you have enough of the live plants the job will get done haha, I'm not scientific with it. Just went up to the man in the shop and said I need some axolotl friendly plants
No I mean a live moss ball like this Moss ball | eBay

 

[layna]

Oh i forgot to mention too i just bought some red ludwigia, i like the green and red combo on it also an ebay purchase

 

[Petersgirl]

I asked about these at my local exotics shop! I was provided with a free snippet of Mini Water Lettuce (which looks like this: "Dwarf" Water Lettuce with pictures) and some Java Moss. He said if it started to grow too much I could cut some off and return it to him. i still need to find out if mini water lettuce is axxie safe. He assured me they were.

Here are 21 plants you should supposedly avoid (I didn't know about this, so I just thought it best to err on the side of caution): 21 plants to avoid in the aquarium | Features | Practical Fishkeeping

Good luck with planting your tanks!

 

[HowToAxolotl]

I asked about these at my local exotics shop! I was provided with a free snippet of Mini Water Lettuce (which looks like this: "Dwarf" Water Lettuce with pictures) and some Java Moss. He said if it started to grow too much I could cut some off and return it to him. i still need to find out if mini water lettuce is axxie safe. He assured me they were.

Here are 21 plants you should supposedly avoid (I didn't know about this, so I just thought it best to err on the side of caution): 21 plants to avoid in the aquarium | Features | Practical Fishkeeping

Good luck with planting your tanks!

Wow, great input from all of your posts! I wish my local Petco would provided me with some free clippings :[ I don't have any non bigbox pet retail stores around here.

I have heard that Java Moss is basically the hardiest and easiest plant ever... sounds good to me! Let me know how the water lettuce works for you.

 

[HowToAxolotl]

I just went with the theory that if you have enough of the live plants the job will get done haha, I'm not scientific with it. Just went up to the man in the shop and said I need some axolotl friendly plants
No I mean a live moss ball like this Moss ball | eBay

Ahhhh the good ol' Marimo Moss ball... I've been reading about them all over the place! I actually just picture up a moss ball from Petco that floats on fishing link and is weighed to the bottom of the tank. It was just labeled as a "Moss ball," so I am not sure what kind it is... but it is rather "shaggy" with a quite different appearance... WOW WHAT A RIP OFF!! I JUST looked up what I bought, its actually Java Moss basically all wrapped up into a mossy balls shape. IT'S NOT REAL MOSS!!!! Oh well, it looks cool and does the job... I just feel mislead.

Also, how is that red ludwigia working out for you? What kind of condition do you have it in? Light level, temperature, CO2 pump or not, etc.

 

[abbeh15]

These are few plants that have been doing well in my setup:

Floaters - Watersprite, frog bit, and duckweed.

Rooted to driftwood - several types of anubias, java fern & windelov java fern, and java moss.

Buried in the substrate(play sand) - ocelot swords, amazon swords, crypt. spiralis, a few red tiger lotus bulbs, a few aponogeton bulbs, and a couple small vals.

 

[racheljritchie]

These are few plants that have been doing well in my setup:

Floaters - Watersprite, frog bit, and duckweed.

Rooted to driftwood - several types of anubias, java fern & windelov java fern, and java moss.

Buried in the substrate(play sand) - ocelot swords, amazon swords, crypt. spiralis, a few red tiger lotus bulbs, a few aponogeton bulbs, and a couple small vals.

Love your tank
What is that on the top? i was wondering about floating plants for mine but wasnt sure of what to get?

 

[layna]

Also, how is that red ludwigia working out for you? What kind of condition do you have it in? Light level, temperature, CO2 pump or not, etc.

Well i dont have a light in my tank so it just gets daylight, i have an internal filter and an airstone in my tank and the temp is probably around 13 C most days (i dont have a thermometer)

 

[HowToAxolotl]

These are few plants that have been doing well in my setup:

Floaters - Watersprite, frog bit, and duckweed.

Rooted to driftwood - several types of anubias, java fern & windelov java fern, and java moss.

Buried in the substrate(play sand) - ocelot swords, amazon swords, crypt. spiralis, a few red tiger lotus bulbs, a few aponogeton bulbs, and a couple small vals.

That's such an awesome setup I'm so jealous of those of you who have the spaces/means to have a really elaborate tank setup.

Have you ever tried a CO2 pump? If so, what was your experience?

 

[abbeh15]

No CO2 experience in years. The plants have grown crazy amounts just off the nitrates from the axies and guppies alone. The large sword on the right has doubled it's height and grown 8 new large leaves in the few months I've had it.

If I feel the need to supplement, I dose a small amount of liquid fertilizer(approx. a third to half the recommended dose) once or twice a week.