Habitat - Indoor :: Plants

[Bearkitten]

I've read a lot on here about plants but I have a few questions. Serenity is scared of everything but people and takes a while to get used to new things (it's bad enough that half inch long minnows can chase her 5in long self around) so I want something that the current won't move around too much. Leo is very curious and loves everything but people and loves to redecorate so I want something that won't get damaged if he tries to move it. Right now I just have a river rock bed and a ping pong ball and an attached basking area with day and night lamps. When I switch to my new tank in the fall I plan to add things for them to climb on or hide in, minnows, and eventually remove all but the largest rocks. I'll have 2 filters (one on each end), one with a waterfall outage and one with spray water fall outage so current will be strong on the ends. My question is, what type of plant would work best for this scenario? I just want one or two, maybe three, that they can munch on for additional nutrients or hide in. Must be able to get the plants from Petco or Petsmart. Also, with the plants in there, do I have to cut down on the amount of food I feed them or continue feeding them the same amount? I feed them ReptiSticks and freeze dried mealworms and the occasional minnow. I haven't been able to find any fruits or veggies they like but I guess they might not be into that yet. Serenity is almost 3 and Leo is almost 2.

[steve]

I know little about aquatic plants, but hopefully I can answer the parts on your thread.

If they are eating the plants, then it would be a good idea to cut on veggies. I'd still skip mealworms (what about cooked mini-crickets?) and keep trying with regular veggies.

[VeipaCray]

Plants depend more on the PH and more importantly the level of dissolved CO2 in your water. If you're not fertilizing, adding C02 and have special lights, you're depending on the natural water chemistry of the tank for the plants to flourish. That's fine but every tank is different and you'll have to do some trial and error to figure out which plants will thrive. They will grow sort of slow without the stuff I mentioned earlier which again is fine as long as your isn't a lawnmower like mine is.


Some things to try:
Anacharis - it can be anchored in your substrate or floating. It absorbs most of its nutrients from the water column, is fairly hardy and good for your turtle to eat.
Watter Lettuce and other floating pond plants - sometimes do well with a turtle, sometimes your Turtle thinks they are a floating buffet. The problem with them is they block light for lower plants so if you decide you want to do something rooted... these may not work for you.
Amazon Swords - Your turtle SHOULD leave these alone but they sure are fun to play on. They are fairly easy to grow, need to take root in your substrate and are hardy.
Java Fern - These are hit or miss... if you struggle with other plants give these a try. They seem to like higher alkaline in the water.

[Bearkitten]

Thank you! I will give those a try

[ljapa]

VeipaCray,

Sounds like Tobie's a bigger lawnmower than your turtle. I have Amazon sword in my refugium. Since it's on the list of acceptable veggies, I occasionally toss a leaf in the main tank.

She chows it down like anything else.