Freshwater plant selection help wanted

[Luckeystiff]

I just finished cycling my tank in mid July, and I and just endured an algae bloom. I was doing daily 30% water changes for the last 5 days (including today) and its pretty well cleared up.

Now I'm wondering if I could get some plants in order to hinder the algae in its growth. I know there are other options but I have heard that corys will profit from having plants in the tank.

My tank is a 35gallon with a fluval 206 canister filter running the media that came with it (bio foam, ceramic rings and carbon, which I have replaced every month) I have 5 danios and 4 panda corys. I have a fine sand substrate and some lace rock.

I will be going the fish store hopefully within the next weekend so that the algae can't grow back.

This will be the first time that I will have a planted tank so any extra tips or information on things I might need to get while at the fish store would be appreciated.

Any help at all will be greatly appreciated.

 

[ESeck]

Are you looking to scape the tank or just for something to hinder algae? Floating plants are best for hindering algae growth since they take nutrients right from the water.

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[ImACoolguy]

Anubias
Java Fern
Vallisneria
Java moss
Amazon swords
Crypt parva
Hornwort
Wisteria
Water sprite


All relatively easy plants for those new to planted tanks.


Caleb

 

[Luckeystiff]

Thanks for the reply,

Floating plants are a good idea, but the aquatic plants selection in my area is very limited, so I was hoping to get something common like dwarf hair grass or java moss because thats what I can expect from my local fish store. Is there any submerged plants that you would recommend?

 

[Luckeystiff]

Thank you Caleb.

 

[ESeck]

Wisteria, hornwort, foxtail, and anacharis are all good at keeping algae at bay.

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[ImACoolguy]

Thanks for the reply,

Floating plants are a good idea, but the aquatic plants selection in my area is very limited, so I was hoping to get something common like dwarf hair grass or java moss because thats what I can expect from my local fish store. Is there any submerged plants that you would recommend?

Dwarf hair grass is far from a beginner plant, just a warning. It needs med/high lighting, regular ferts, and sometimes co2 injection to thrive and carpet.


Caleb

 

[Luckeystiff]

Ok, thank you I'll stay away from dwarf hair grass.

The light that came with the kit seems to produce excessive amounts of light (35 watts). Would this be a problem for any of the plant species? Ones that require lower lighting maybe? My tank is only 17 inches deep, so will a 35 watt light be too much for this?

 

[ImACoolguy]

Ok, thank you I'll stay away from dwarf hair grass.

The light that came with the kit seems to produce excessive amounts of light (35 watts). Would this be a problem for any of the plant species? Ones that require lower lighting maybe? My tank is only 17 inches deep, so will a 35 watt light be too much for this?

T8 or T5 bulb?


Caleb

 

[Gillie]

No plant actually requires lower lighting, some are just able to thrive under it, but if your lighting is too much, you'll either have to change the light or jump into a higher tech plant system to find a balance.

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[Luckeystiff]

T8 or T5 bulb?


Caleb

I have a Fluval LED light strip.

Here are the specs:

Wattage: 35 W
Lumens: 2,580 LM
Lux: 5,952
CRI: 5,200 K

I don't know what this all means, but the light is quite powerful.