Anything special for ground cover?

[Pittenger5]

Im having a heckuva time getting any sort of ground cover growing in my tank. I've tried dwarf hair grass and java moss, and both died out in short time. All my other plants are doing awesome, growing, sprouting new stems/leaves, so I don't think its the water quality or anything. Is there some special trick to get ground cover to thrive?

 

[ImACoolguy]

Many carpet plants require high lighting and some even need co2 to thrive.

1. Tank size?
2. Lighting?
3. Do you dose ferts? Co2?

Maintaining carpet plants is where planted tanks get complicated and to those new to them, tricky.


Caleb

Sent via TARDIS

 

[Mebbid]

As was mentioned before, we need a lot more info to help you. Ground cover is a nightmare to try to get growing properly.

As for the java fern, it shouldn't be planted but instead tied to a decoration. If you plant the rhizome it will die off.

 

[Pittenger5]

I have 130 gallon tank, roughly 24" top to bottom.
I use CaibSea EcoComplete substrate
A fluval 48watt LED Plant light
No co2.

 

[Mebbid]

I have 130 gallon tank, roughly 24" top to bottom.
I use CaibSea EcoComplete substrate
A fluval 48watt LED Plant light
No co2.

That light is your problem. That won't come close to what you need for ground cover plants sadly. The most you would probably be able to do is crypts and those are slow growing plants that aren't typically used for ground cover.

 

[Pittenger5]

Alternate recommendations?