Carpeting

[leek86]

Id like to maybe carpet part of my tank. I guess this means moss and the like.
I have low light (limited by the tank and attatched hood)
Small 2-3mm standard gravel as substrate.
Any idea's or suggestions on what to use? Ive looked at a few different options but was wondering what you guys suggest since you may have experience in this unlike me.

 

[fort384]

Unfortunately there is not much in the way of low light plants that will carpet. You are pretty much limited to mosses, like flame, java, and xmas moss. You will have to "train it" to get it to carpet, as it will not just naturally grow that way. You can use mesh, hairnets, etc.

 

[mfdrookie516]

My issue with using moss as a carpet is it will stay very very dirty without lots of shrimp or small fish to keep it clean.

 

[leek86]

If I got a couple of these Riccia Fluitans on PadTropical Aquarium Plant (live) | eBay UK
And layer them tile style (weighted down) would this work, as it states low to high light.

 

[fort384]

riccia is not going to do well in a low light setup. It might stay green for awhile, but it won't grow much, and unless it is floating right under the light, it will die. It also doesn't carpet... It has to be tied to something to stay on the bottom.

 

[mfdrookie516]

riccia doesn't do very well in low light IME. I had some die off with 2x39w T5HO over a 40 breeder, and it was up close to the light

 

[leek86]

Ok I guess i'll be getting a piece of slate, and mesh some moss onto it, or possibly get some ridgid mesh, like needlepoint mesh, but with bigger holes and sandwich some moss between. :S
Any advise which moss to go with, christmas, flame or java (I already have java on some driftwood.)

 

[mfdrookie516]

I like flame moss better than the java and christmas.