I have a 10gallon set up with 4 guppies, 4 neon tetras and 2 black neon tetras. I intend on adding some plants, I already have some java moss anchored to slate rocks on the bottom and hope to expand this to create a kind of foreground carpet, but I'm also looking for some colourful plants to add in the background to give maximum effect, any help would be appreciated. Scientific names aswell as common names would be helpful aswell.
Answers:
Anubias barteri or anubias nana. Both are fine in low light situations, and fish don't like to eat it. These are what I would use, especially in a 10 gallon.
i like amazon swords, so i reccomend them..
when doing aquaculture always stock larger plants in the back and shorter ones in the front . for the illusion of depth.
Anyway for the background plants, try looking into red ludwig.
more red includes red telanthera(Telanthera lilcina)
also look into standard green plants like moneywort and my favorite, false tenellus (lilaeopsis navaezelandiae)
Edit: the first post wouldnt be smart, a amazon sword in a 10 gallon, they will get big and need alot more height to grow. i have a mother amazonswod plant that is ove 25 inches hiegh.
Forget the Amazon sword rookie stuff. If you're going for color, I'd suggest any of the Rotala family available (especially Rotala macranda). They're hardy and, with a lot of light, the tips start changing into some amazing reds and purples.
I use these guys:
http://www.azgardens.com/
They have a great selection.
And read anything by Takashi Amano. Check out his site below for some utra inspiration.
I`ve always liked that aquatic bamboo. It is really pretty when it gets big and the "trunk" grows in spirals. Its neat looking.
A great plant the makes a carpet effect would be a Pygmy Chain Sword. They send out lots of runners if you provide them with correct lighting and CO2 fertilization. A nice background plant would be Amazon Swords. They can grow up to 20", but they don't grow very fast.
I like to use this site for ordering plants: http://www.aquariumplants.com/
And for CO2 fertilization, here is a cheap way to make your own DIY (Do It Yourself) CO2 System: http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/diyc...
~ZTM
I would suggest a few Micro Swords. It is a foreground plant. It's not really colorful but it would be great for a beginner to try out. It grows to a height of 4".
