PLANTS COMPATIBLE WITH OUR AXOLOTLS IN COLD WATER
Plants participate in aesthetics but also and above all in the health of the aquarium by absorbing waste and organic compounds and by producing oxygen. The plants also offer hiding places and pleasant hammocks for our kitties. And are used as a spawning place. They de-stress the axolotls and allow them to cling to them in the event of aerophagia as in nature,) and without having to stress them more by placing them in a tupp or plastic bin)
They will have the following characteristics:
Robustness
Deep rooting or floating plants;
Growth if possible medium or fast;
Adaptation to temperatures recommended for axolotls;
Other more general considerations: lighting adapted to the growth of the plant in question + aesthetics + size (height, maximum width?) + Price.
Here is a group of aquatic plants (click on the icon)
Here are some examples of adapted and proven plants, with their characteristics (but there are others!):
1) Vallisneria spiralis : moderate to strong light. Temperature: 18 ° C-26 ° C. pH: 6.5-7.8. Background. Vallisneria spiralis is a background plant or even for the intermediate zone. It is easy to maintain. Ideally, the aquarium should be high enough to accommodate it (it very often exceeds 50 cms). But since the leaves are very thin, if they weren't, Vallisneria spiralis wouldn't give too much shade to the plants living below by floating on the surface. The growth of Vallisneria spiralis is rapid and runners are constantly produced. Let the top of the rhizhome protrude slightly above the substrate.
2) Vallisneria gigantea : a background plant or for the intermediate zone. Temperature: 18 ° C-27 ° C. pH: 6-9. Because of its very high height (50 cm to 1 meter and more), it is rather suitable for very large tanks (where there, even with a high water height, the leaves will probably end up floating). It is very easy to maintain as long as the water is not too soft. The growth of Vallisneria gigantea is rapid and runners (cuttings by shoots) are produced regularly. Let the top of the rhizome protrude slightly above the substrate.
1) Vallisneria Asiatica : Thanks to its green spiral leaves, Vallisneria americana var. asiatica gives a nice contrast effect when planted in groups. From 18 to 28 C °. Ph 6 to 8.5. Background plant. Easy to maintain.
A size of all your vallisnerias is easy a "summer cut" will take 5 minutes to be done.
Lentils, frogs, pistias, etc. are also welcome in our containers.
(Be careful, however, regarding duckweed which can quickly become invasive).
3) Hygrophila polysperma : it is the perfect plant when starting the aquarium. With little regard for water parameters, its very rapid growth both significantly reduces nitrates and phosphates and therefore offers strong competition to the algae which often mark the first months of an aquarium's life and of '' have a container already nicely planted in just a few weeks. The color and shape of the leaves vary depending on the lighting (the upper leaves, for example, have a superb pinkish hue). When it arrives at the surface, it nevertheless has a tendency to bend: also, it is useful at this stage to head it off. Multiplication: it is possible to cut off the suckers or the top of the mother stem (a good ten centimeters will allow a faster recovery): we will let them float for a few days until small roots appear and we will remove them. any lower leaves before pushing them delicately into the ground. Fast growing, especially if the water is hard.
Here is a very effective and safe glue for gluing mosses or various plants on your decorations, rocks, etc.
4) Egeria densa : hardy plant with ultra-fast growth and large producer of oxygen: it absorbs a significant amount of nitrates and phosphates and even secretes toxins that slow down the development of cyanobacteria (bacteria resembling algae and being able to photo synthesize : they used to be called "blue algae"). Its development being ultra-fast, it will be necessary to take care that it does not obscure the plants living below (topping when the plant begins to bend at the surface). If there is no light, it loses its lower leaves, leaving only the stem: to avoid this inconvenience, it is sufficient to maintain a small space of a few centimeters between each plant. It is perfect when starting the aquarium (competition of size with algae which often mark the first months of the life of an aquarium). High temperatures do not suit her for a long time and she prefers water on the alkaline side. Propagation: lateral suckers to be cut when they reach 10 to 15 cm. A gap of 3 to 4 cm between each stem will allow the light to pass to the ground.
5) java mousse
(to attach with fishing line or to a stump or a stone): forms a kind of carpet.
6) Cladophora aegagropila : a ball of algae that absorbs nitrates? Well I would say like all plants, except that this one can bring the filamentous algae into the aquarium if it deteriorates, so be careful ... Intense lighting highly recommended. pH: indifferent. It is useful to turn it over regularly if you want it to keep its initial shape, and to "wring it out". from time to time to rid it of the impurities it may have stored.
7) Echinodorus bleheri is a beautiful and undemanding plant at the same time, but it should not be forgotten to prune it regularly so that it does not take too much light from the plants that grow under it. E. Bleheri also tolerates dimly lit containers well: it will grow on its own in the direction of the light. It is an undemanding solitary and easy to maintain, whether you are a novice or experienced aquarist as long as it is not put in a tank that is too small. It is sometimes sold under the trade name of Paniculatus.
8) Ludwigia Repens : a very fast growing plant if the lighting is good / pH: 6.5-7.8. Lighting: intense. It changes color depending on the power of the lighting (from green to yellow through pink as close as possible to the light). Intense lighting recommended for optimal growth.
9) Riccia Fluitans : surface plant that appreciates cold water and the nitrates produced by goldfish. pH: 5.5-7.8. Lighting: strong to very strong. Goldfish consume it but, under good conditions (intense lighting and addition of CO2 recommended), they will not overcome it as it grows quickly! Note: it is also possible to ballast it on a stone or on a stump using fishing line.
10) Anubia nana : very weak to moderate lighting. Preferably place it in the shade if the aquarium is very bright. Otherwise, its growth being slow, algae would tend to develop on its magnificent leaves and then suffocate it. Temperature: 22 ° -26 ° C. pH: 6.0 - 8.0. It must be attached to a stone, volcanic rock, or stump. It can be fixed with fishing line at first, until the roots are fixed on the chosen support: avoid burying the rhizome (this would rot the plant). Ideal in the foreground.
11) Elocharis Acicularis requires a rather intense light to favor in the foreground of your aquarium multiply by buds, will thrive in a ph of 6.5 to 7.2 at temperatures ranging from 10 to 25 ° C of slow growth.
12) Lilaeopsis brasiliensis , is also placed in the foreground, with a ph of 6 to 8 and a temperature of 15 to 26 ° C, for a rather slow growth.
13) Lysimachia Nummularia is placed at the bottom and on the sides for a ph of 6 to 8 with intense lighting and temperatures between 15 and 25 ° C. Its growth is very rapid. For a KH between 5 and 15. Its growth is rapid.
14) Hydrocotyle leucocephala : Fast growing, adapts easily, grows well in relatively hard water. As soon as it is installed in the aquarium, it will be attracted to the light and the surface of the water on which it will propagate. Can very well be grown as a non-rooted floating plant.
Small lexicon of plants from dennerle by didier crick
view in pdf
15) Ceratophyllum demersum is a strictly aquatic plant. It does not have a root and it is common to see it floating in the aquarium, but some of its leaves turn into anchoring organs (rhizoids) ...
16) Microsorum Pteropus var. Windelov var. Windelov
Le dessous des feuilles de Alternanthera reineckii forme un contraste plein d'effet avec le vert végétal de l'aquarium, surtout si la plante est disposée en groupe. Une lumière intense accentue la coloration rouge des feuilles. La plupart des Alternanthera sont difficiles à cultiver en aquarium, mais celle-ci est assez accommodante.
19)Le LIMNOBIUM laevigatum ou "grenouillette" est une plante flottante assez vigoureuse aux feuilles ovales légèrement cordiformes similaires aux nénuphars. Cette plante tropicale plutôt gélive appréciera des régions aux hivers doux.
Son principal attrait réside dans son feuillage très esthétique : avec un port en rosette, ses feuilles lisses et douces retombent à la surface de l'eau. Plante filtrante et oxygénante, ce "petit nénuphar américain" est bénéfique pour les bassins
L’Acorus pusillus est originaire du Japon, c’est la seule plante d’aquarium ayant l’aspect d’une petite touffe d’herbe de 5 à 10 cm; les aquariophiles l’apprécient tant pour orner un premier plan que pour retenir le sable grâce à ses grosses racines du type rhizome.
Les grosses touffes peuvent se diviser mais il importe de ne pas enfouir le pied.
Température : acceptée de 10° à 22°, 18° représentant la température optimale (supporte assez mal la chaleur, peut pourrir par la racine en eau trop chaude).
Eclairement : faible à normal, accepte bien une situation ombragée.
Sol et eau : pas de préférences constatées, accepte un sol pauvre
La Rotala indica peut être maintenue en aquarium sous sa forme immergée aussi bien que sous sa forme émergée en terrarium.
En aquarium, la coloration du feuillage varie du vert pâle au rouge-brunâtre selon l'intensité de l'éclairage.
C'est une plante vigoureuse. La multiplication végétative spontanée est fréquente, et il est nécessaire d'étêter régulièrement la plante pour éviter qu'elle n'émerge.
Nettoyer les plantes avant de les introduire dans votre aquarium
It is important before introducing plants, whether they come from a pet store or from private individuals to clean them. Snails and planarians lay eggs under the underside of leaves, for example. You risk inviting them into your aquarium. A tip against snails, bathe plants in sparkling water
Bleach and potassium permanganate and sparkling water.
* With bleach :
- soak the plants in a solution (at the rate of 1 dose of bleach for 20 doses of water) for 2 minutes maximum.
- rinse with running water, then immerse the plants in a bucket containing a chlorine neutralizer (Aquasafe type).
- it will kill the algae
Bleach may be harsher on algae than potassium permanganate, but may "burn" plants more easily. The algae will turn red or white and disappear completely after 24-48 hours!
* Potassium Permanganate :
- Buy at a pharmacy buy a sachet of 1g of potassium permanganate mix it with 1 liter of water.
- once the product is well dissolved, take 5ml of this preparation (use a syringe) and mix them with 10 liters of water.
- soak the plants in this preparation for at least 30 minutes
- rinse the plants well afterwards (with clear water).
This cleaning can be carried out on all the elements of the decoration (rock, root, ...)
Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) can be very useful in the aquarium hobby. Please note this product stains hands and textiles !!!
Potassium permanganate can be found in pharmacies (and drugstores) very often in sachets (small purplish crystals of 0.50g for 30 cents). It is true that it is a product which remains expensive but we do not need large quantities for the aquarium hobby.
Potassium permanganate has a very powerful oxidizing power. It oxidizes waste more quickly and provides the oxygen necessary for this oxidation. It also helps fight against algae. Permanganate is also used as a disinfectant.
Potassium permanganate can be used:
either in a flash bath for the plants supporting it like the anubias. This also makes it possible to "burn" the brush algae ...
either directly in the aquarium after dissolution (but not in a tank with axolotls because most of the time the solutions contain iodine).
Bath to remove algae from plants or decorations
Please note that some plants do not support this treatment such as Riccia, Cabomba, Myrophillum, Ceratophyllum, java moss
Directly in the aquarium
Prepare a bottle with 1 gram of potassium permanganate and 1 liter of water (preferably RO water). The prepared solution can be used for 1 month and should be stored in the dark.
5 ml of this preparation are then used per 10 liters of water. Let the plants bathe for 30 minutes in this preparation.
If you need to treat algae directly in the aquarium (not with axolotls):
When you pour the mixture, put it, preferably, at the level of the discharge of the pump and in small quantities in order to dilute the mixture as much as possible in the aquarium. A purple cloud should not form which could irritate the gills of the fish.
The aquarium water will then take on a slightly pinkish tint which should quickly turn to a yellowish tint. After 24 hours, the aquarium should be exceptionally clear: crystal clear water.
Benefits :
Elimination of all algae except brush algae.
The water in the aquarium becomes clear, crystalline.
Increased frequency of spawning
Disadvantages
The filter gets dirty faster. This requires more frequent cleaning of the filter.
Some plants do not support permanganate such as Riccia (duckweed), Cabomba, Myrophillum, Ceratophyllum, java moss.
This treatment can be repeated every 2 days.
In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.
Carbonated water?
To remove snails and their eggs, soak your plants overnight in soda water.