Clueless With Aquatic Plants!

I'm absolutely am at a loss when it comes to live plants. There is someone that lives close to me and is
selling starts at a dollar a piece. I had planned on replacing several plastic plants with silk, but at this
price I thought I'd venture into the realm of live ones. I probably should stick with the heartier ones to
begin with as I don't relish killing any living forms.

Heres a list of whats available:

-Java Fern windelov
-Java moss
-italian valisneria
_Rotala singapore
-Myriophillum matogrosense
-Mayaca fluviatilis
-Riccia fluitans
-Blyxa japonica
-Rotala macrandra green
_rotala macrandra red japan
-Java ferns
-Hygrophila Tiger
-Ludwigia repens
-Eleocharis parvula(dwarf hair grass)
-Eichornia diversifolia
-Star grass
-Naessea triflora
-Echinodorus quadricostatus

I'm thinking maybe four or five different ones. Thanks for any suggestions.

I'm not very experienced at live plants either BUT I do have two live plants in my tank that are doing really well:
- Java fern
- Aponogeton

I know the Aponogeton isn't on your list but you might want to consider trying it. I bought the Aponogeton as a set of five bulbs from the aquarium section at Walmart! The plants have really beautifully long leaves and my betta seems to really love swimming around the different stalks.

The Java Fern I did recognize and I'll look for the bulbs at Walmart since I
can get there easily. Do my best not to look at the poor Bettas! Thanks!

The bulbs come in a little carded package labeled "Hardy Aponogeton". At our Walmart they are placed by the airline tubes and filters, next to the fish food display. They're only about $3. It took mine over a week to start growing after being placed in the tank but once they started growing, they grew FAST. Several of the leaves are about 12" in length now. Flame is always twirling around them. They're supposed to get flowers too but mine aren't at that point yet.

Sounds like they'll be good. They're Flame tested and fire proof! lol!

If you want something hardy to start off with, I would go with the java ferns and the Echinodorus. The 'Windelov' version of java fern just has little frilly ends to the leaves. I'd also get the stargrass, it's pretty

Oh, and while googling one of the plants, I think I found the ad you're looking at, and if so, get the Echinodorus Vesuvius he has for sale that costs a bit more, it's a stunning plant that I'd love to have in my tank, it should be hardy for you too

If you wanted to get a few and have different leaf types and levels of planting in the tank, you could choose a couple of each of the following to get an attractive look:

Background:

-Vallisneria
-Myriophyllum OR Mayaca
-Echinodorus Vesuvius

Midground:

-Java ferns
-Stargrass (needs the tops trimming every month or two to keep it bushy)
-Rotalas

Foreground:

-Dwarf Hairgrass
-Echinodorus Quadricostatus (it's a dwarf variety of Echinodorus)
-Java moss tied to wood or coconut using thread or a hairnet

Riccia Fluitans can be used as a floating plant, or the tiny individual plantlets can be planted with tweezers to give a lovely carpet effect, it's very popular with aquascapers.

I would avoid the Eichornia, it's difficult to keep alive without messing about with CO2 systems etc.

The java ferns do best tied to wood or rock with the roots out of the gravel, but can do just as well with the rhizome sat on the surface of the gravel so it can just spread its finer roots among the substrate.

Thanks ever so much KJ. I needed someone to spell things out for me. I
even needed the reminder about fore, mid and backgrounds.

Its time to beautify the tanks plus I understand its healthier too. I'll make contact with them and see what kind of deal I can strike. Plus they are in the neighborhood. Thanks again!

Glad I could help I expect to see pics of your flourishing new plants in the next few weeks hehe!

I was searching for the Naessea Triflora as I had never heard of it, it got three hits on google, two of them being this thread and what I'm assuing is the seller's Craigslist ad. Turns out it's actually spelled Nessaea. It seems like it's not a common plant, it's small-leaved and would probably look best as a midground plant and would need trimming every so often to stop it getting leggy.

Alright. You've convinced me to find a camera in the near future! I give up
on my roommates old Kodak(4MP). Frustrating as I can't seem to get clear pictures. I'll look on Craigslist and at a couple pawn shops.

Of course it could be just me as I'm technically challenged! lol!