Cold water plants

[Vizerdrix]

Hi All!

When I finally get my indoor pond built, and the goldies and koi moved over, I was thinking of turning my 65g into a planted tank.  Now, I'm cheap, and don't feel like buying a heater for the tank.   Are there any plants that do well in a cold water situation?

Thanks!

[babblefish1960]

What is the ambient temperature of the room?  The water won't get any colder than that.

[Vizerdrix]

We keep the thermostat set at 22 Celsius during the winter, have absolutely NO idea what that is in Fahrenheit!

[babblefish1960]

That is roughly 72 degrees Fahrenheit, kind of low for the birds, the goldfish and koi will love it, but I would need a shawl for sure.   That is fine for Vallisneria species of plants, and some other low need plants such as hygrophila polysperma and good old java moss.

[dan2x38]

How about some Egeria densa. This is listed as a easy plant. I could never get it to grow for over a year. Then I posted and Charlie said to plant it in a cooler tank... presto is is growing like crazy & I love it...

[Vizerdrix]

Nah, the birds like it fine!  So long as there isn't a draft.

Thanks for the suggestions!  I just realized afterwards though, what kind of fish (apart from goldies and koi) would I keep in there at that temp?  <sigh> Guess I'll have to get a heater.

And don't worry, next time you come over, I'll put a log on in the fireplace.

[Vizerdrix]

How about some Egeria densa. This is listed as a easy plant. I could never get it to grow for over a year. Then I posted and Charlie said to plant it in a cooler tank... presto is is growing like crazy & I love it...

I think I have some of that, in the 5g Betta tank. 

Babble?  Do you remember if that's what I have in there?

[babblefish1960]

I vaguely recall that this is indeed what you have in there, but with the cold air and the old mind, I may be misremembering.   I would never say no to a log on the fire!

White cloud mountain minnows are also a fish that has colour and prefers cooler temperatures. Additionally, there are a number of gymnogeophagus species from central South America, below the Amazon basin I mean, that can handle temperatures from as low as 7 degrees Celcius all the way up to 34 degrees celcius.  And a very pretty fish too, with tons of personality.

[Vizerdrix]

OOOoooooo!  I like the looks of that long-finned white cloud!  And it works for my idea of having schooling fish in there!

As for the gymnogeophagus, interesting idea.  I didn't realize I could keep some SA Cichlids in a cold water tank!   I used to specialize in them (although I didn't know as much as I should, I guess!).

Okay, there's a few ideas for some plants, as well as stock for the tank.  I can't wait to get the pond done!!!

Thanks guys!

[dan2x38]

How about Riccia fluitans (Crystalwort) grows at temps from 15c-30c.

[Anubias]

Hi All!

When I finally get my indoor pond built, and the goldies and koi moved over, I was thinking of turning my 65g into a planted tank.  Now, I'm cheap, and don't feel like buying a heater for the tank.   Are there any plants that do well in a cold water situation?

Thanks!

Maybe half of the aquatic plants for sale will grow well at 22 C. This is the lower end of their optimal temperatures for growth. Most swords -except maybe the totally submersed varieties, Cabomba Caroliniana, the Myriophyllum species, java moss, hornwort should do fine. Avoid most Cryptocoryne, Aponegeton, and Anubias species as these are jungle species that experience little variation in temperatures. The Amazon environment provides more temperature extremes.

Aquatic plants are very adaptable.

[Vizerdrix]

That Crystalwort looks interesting Dan, I shall have to look into that one!

Anubias, thanks for the info, looks like I have tons of options out there!

I already have some really nice clumps of Java Moss (got a HUGE bag of it at BA last weekend!), and some floating stuff too.  The pond is on schedule so far, so hopefully I will be able to start aquascaping by the end of the month.

Also, what kind of substrate should I put in my tank?  And how does one go about doing the maintenance on the tank if it's planted?  Do I still have to clean the substrate?  I was thinking of a sand mixture...