live plants without snails...

[saml]

i've just set up a new 29 gal fresh water tank and would like to add live plants (this tank will house fish as well). Is it possible to find live plants that do not have snails? i've seen the gel plants that petsmart/petco carry but have been told those are not true aquatic plants.

[krockett_274]

Yes, I always give my plants a quick dip in bleach to get rid of any hitchhikers. I usually do about 5 parts water to 1 part bleach and let them soak for about 5 minutes(depending on the type of plant), I than let them sit in a bucket that is overdosed with prime to get rid of the bleach. Now I have lost plants by doing this but not many id say 1 out of 50. You can always add loaches to your tank or a fresh water puffer to help with snail control. I would stay away from the gel packed plants, try aquabid they have good sellers and you can get pretty good deals on plants or try the swap meet here you might find someone local willing to help you get started. If your just starting out I would start with low light plants and work your way up. Good luck I hope you enjoy playing with the plants.

[saml]

thanks for the info. This tank was originally purchased for fish (which have not been added since tank has only been up for 4 days) but i wanted to add live plants vs plastic as they look better. Do you have any suggestions for plants that are hardy to basic fish aquarium conditions (also, my gravel is the typical aquarium gravel). Thanks again for the help!

[krockett_274]

What kind of light do you have? If it’s just a single fluorescent bulb you might want to think about updating your lighting, the watts per gallon rule is 1.5 to 2.0 wpg for low light plants, but I have had good success with 1 wpg with African ferns and anubias’s. Good beginner and low light plants are here
http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.php?category=1&filter_by=2

I really like the Crypt’s there is a lot a variety in leaf shapes and colors and are a great beginner plant, you said you had plain gravel you can add plant tabs or Laterite ( http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18483/si1379977/cl0/aquariumpharmaceuticalsfirstlayerpurelaterite20oz you can find both at petsmart) to the substrate if you go with crypt”s, the majority of low light plants take in there nutrients from the water column and grow on what is called a rhizome root which has little roots coming off of it that are there just to hold the plant down and the rhizome sits on top of the substrate not buried.

[Curtis]

I do not recommend those gel plants since most are not true aquatic species. Most are species that prefer leaves out of water.

I used to try to avoid snails, but have learned to appreciate them.