Various species of aquatic grasses are available for sale. First of all, it is worth choosing undemanding aquarium plants for the lawn, e.g. Vallisneria, dwarf hairgrass, Brazilian micro sword. The best plant for a lawn in an aquarium is a relative term, it is worth using 2-3 different species (or varieties), especially in larger tanks. Of course, not in order to combine them together, but to plant in different parts of the aquarium.
How and what to make a tall lawn in an aquarium? Aquarium grasses and their types
Several species of Vallisneria are suitable for setting up a lawn. Aquarium grass has relatively low requirements and can cope with less lighting. The straight vallisneria (Vallisneria spiralis) is characterized by high decorative value. It reaches an average height of 50 cm and a maximum of 80 cm. It is grown as a background. The width of the slightly twisted leaves is 0.4-0.8 cm. They are bright green in color. The aquarium plant forms dense fields. It quickly grows through stolons. Vallisneria asiatica is much shorter, usually reaching 20-25 cm in height. The leaves are usually up to 1 cm wide (under artificial conditions). In small aquariums it is grown at the back, in large ones it is often treated as a second plan plant. It has medium light and food requirements. Another low water grass for an aquarium is Vallisneria torta. It is similar in size to the vallisneria asiatica (usually slightly smaller). It comes from Japan. It withstands weaker conditions, including not very intense lighting. In general, vallisneria genus is quite resistant to fish temptations. They are difficult to destroy in a regularly lit tank.
Grass in the aquarium – popular low and medium species
A small spikerush (Eleocharis parvula) is well suited for creating a lawn at the front of the aquarium. Usually it reaches 4-6 cm in height (less often up to 10 cm) and grows in width. Produces clumps of needle-shaped leaves. It is easy to grow. It has a lower
form -Eleocharis sp. Mini, the height of which does not exceed 5 cm. Higher sizes (about 15 cm) are reached by needle spikerush (Eleocharis acicularis). It produces needle-shaped leaves 1-2 mm wide.
Brazilian micro sword (Lilaeopsis brasiliensis) can be used as aquarium grass. The plant forms dense clumps even in low light. It is also deceptively similar to garden grass. It can be grown in hard water. It grows up to 7 cm in height. Another valuable species for a water lawn is Echinodorus tenellus. This is the smallest of the genus Baldellia. It produces leaves up to 7 cm long and 2 mm wide. Has medium light requirements. It can be grown in a wide temperature range (19-28 ° C). Soft water required (withstands medium hard).
How to plant grass in an aquarium?
Planting a lawn in an aquarium shouldn’t be a problem. The method is similar to other species. Plants should be gently placed in wells in the substrate so as not to damage the roots. They should be covered with gravel (or other material), sometimes additional stabilization and protection is also necessary, e.g. by covering with a flat stone. In the arrangement, the main attribute is the height and growth rate of the species. The lowest plants are planted at the front or in the middle. Tall plants (in this case vallisneria) are the background. They can be planted even individually, because they grow quickly and quickly create a dense, green lawn wall. Another method is used for low, slower growing plants. To build a dense and uniform water lawn, one species / variety should be used. It is worth placing them a few centimeters apart, alternately (as in a brick wall). The lawn must be given space to grow. In this way, you will create a dense aquarium lawn (even on a larger area), while saving on the costs of purchasing seedlings. When using fertilizers, apart from nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are important. The last two macronutrients influence the development of the root system and tillering. Of course, fertilization must go hand in hand with the daily use of artificial lighting for many hours.