Using Babysitter Plants During the Startup Phase

[gnatster]

In another thread, there is mention of using "Babysitter Plants" after a Dark Start before planting more delicate species to help stabilize the aquarium. A link to an article on 2Hr Aquarist provides a little more detail. 3 Hacks when starting a new tank.

The article mentions using hardy plants, one example is provided, Hemianthus glomeratus (Pearlweed). What are some other plants that can be used?

 

[Kwyet]

I would think Water Wisteria, Water Sprite and/or Rotala rotundifolia would work.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Don't forget floaters! Duckweed, salvinia, frogbit. Good choices for a similar purpose.

 

[Koan]

Duckweed, salvinia,

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Ok, maybe not duckweed lol

 

[techman81]

Ok, maybe not duckweed lol

Just say NO! to duckweed.

 

[ElleDee]

Aside from floating plants, my go-tos for this are water sprite, anacharis, and stargrass. Stargrass is a plant I will keep long term, but the others aren't very attractive IMO and it's always exciting when I feel like I can toss them.

I actually don't find pearl weed to be as good as stabilizing a tank as the ones I just mentioned, but it may be different if you are injecting co2. Don't get me wrong, it is an easy plant and can be tenacious once it gets going, but for me it takes a minute to settle in in more challenging setups.

 

[BenB]

Stargrass is a plant

Total nerd hijack of this thread, but every time I see Stargrass I think of a famous choral work by John Rutter. Star Carol

 

[Sb1415]

H.Tripartita might be a good one. I think it is really hard to keep it tame with other plants but as a baby sitter might be a good choice.

Not that dense but h.pinnatifda seems like it thrives in either hardscape or substrate.

 

[Aquajack]

Limnophila sessiliflora (aka ambulia) is one of the best I've found. It grows like crazy to suck up excess nutrients etc at the start of a setup. Of course if you keep it longer term it gets out of control a bit but it does its job in the meantime.

 

[SingAlongWithTsing]

i throw in water lettuce at the beginning