Plants

[Harpii]

Can semi-aquatic plants be used in axolotl tanks? and what plants are really really hard to kill, i seem to fail miserably when it comes to live plants

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

Have you tried water sprite (indian fern)? They have have poor roots so collect nutrients out of the water so long its good quality. It should be an easy plant to keep thriving and also helps keep to water quality on top form. Plus I find it looks really pretty Obviously live plants need light so keeping the aquarium light on for 4 hours+ a day really helps them.

 

[Harpii]

Thank you I shall look into that plant, do you know where its possible to purchase it? All the local pet shops are quite poor on their stock of aquaatic plants :/ Im getting some water wisteria soon and was also thinknig of getting some java fern/moss again along with some hornwort, at the moment the tank doesnt have any plants as we're moving next week i thought it was pointless to replace them now and will hopefully by them next week after the tank is set up I love it when plants come just above the water, its looks beautiful in a tank

 

[Harpii]

I've had a good search through the forums using the search function, my eyes hurt! but ive not found anything on what semi aquatic plants can be used with axolotls guess i'll stick with fully submerged but found sone indian fern and think we shall give it go and see how it copes with me lol.

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

Aww it's so trial and error with live plants, in the end I got fed up. I have very naughty axolotls that enjoy a little "redecorating" - not good when you're trying to keep the plants alive, I switched to very realistic fake plants! and as for retailers I'm not 100%. I'm in Romford and luckily have quite a few aquatic centers in close proximity - they're your best bet for plants. Or you could even try pets at home if you haven't already (if there's one nearby!) I know my local one has quiet a selection of aquatic plants.

 

[Harpii]

In southend theres quite a few aquatic shops, the best one is swallow aquatics but its quite pricey None of the local pet shops here stock any of the plants i want, though i can get java moss/fern as thats quite popular, but never seen water wisteria, hornwort, duckweed, frogbit, nothing i normally get all those bits from ebay. I've always washed the plants thoroughly and then left them to soak in water for a few hours before putting them in the tank, never had any problmes before but have inherited snails. Is that the correct procedure. We have a pets at home with an aquatic centre but its tiny so they dont stock much, southend is rubbish for anything. I have a young child and another on the way but we'll have to travel 30min/1hour to get to the nearest toysrus,mothercare or any other good retailer, its crazy!
I think I might look into getting some fake plants, at least they wont die and will look pretty lol

 

[NeekaLovesYou]

I know the feeling! Although I say there's alot of centers near me, I don't drive! I have to stock up for months as the effort of getting 3 buses to and from anywhere drives me mad, haha. You're doing everything to perfection with the live plants as far as I'm concerned and obviously its the same procedure with the fake ones. Just give them a soak and pop them in the tank - hey presto! I've never had any problems with them and like you said, they stay pretty