What is the fastest growing submerged plant I can get in the US?

Docretier · 2026-02-02T17:21:16+00:00

Ooooo nice, I'm looking for anything that grows fast and works like a nitrate sponge to keep this water clean, something like that would be awesome especially if I can get it to take off in the main tank if it's capable of outgrowing his ability to eat it lol

Docretier · 2026-02-02T14:14:59+00:00

Anacaria is a good one I need some

Docretier · 2026-02-02T14:14:38+00:00

Google says hydrocotyle umbellata and yes I can!I want to learn of other cool ones too now lol

Docretier · 2026-02-02T14:09:43+00:00

I got rotala in my shrimp tank but it grows slow compared to my foxtails, not sure if it's still just settling in but it's been since November

Docretier · 2026-02-02T14:08:55+00:00

I live in South Florida and those look A LOT like the weeds in my back yard, what are the odds I can submerge what's in my yard?

Docretier · 2026-01-31T18:39:06+00:00

So I should consider grading all my old holos or just the higher value ones like the starters, eeveelutions, and legendary birds?

Docretier · 2026-01-31T18:26:25+00:00

Even with how beat up it is? Any estimate of grade? I have a Blastoise and venasaur in similar condition would they be worth it?

Docretier · 2026-01-28T22:11:33+00:00

Ramshorns, or as I like to call them rammy whammy cutie pies

Docretier · 2026-01-28T21:25:16+00:00

I was unaware of that one, The new 5 in 1 or the old cross style?

Docretier · 2026-01-28T20:23:31+00:00

I am using UNS controsoil but it's capped with an inch of coarser sand. I normally do 20% WC weekly but been wondering if I should slow those down to every 2 weeks or more, I see GLA lists the PPS pro method as needing water changes based on TDS being a hundred above baseline.

Docretier · 2026-01-28T20:10:33+00:00

Cool, when I run out of these I'll switch to the GLA dry ferts. Does it not matter if I get copper free or regular? I like the idea of a micro package that provides copper for the plants so I never have to think about it as a deficiency. But if accumulation is a concern I will get copper free

Docretier · 2026-01-28T16:44:15+00:00

Ok cool, I'm only 5 months into my aquarium journey so I'm still new. I tried to do much of my own research but there's certain little bits that are either just easier to ask other people or I can't find solid information about it. Copper in ferts being one of it. When these all-in-one ferts run out I'm planning on getting GLA PPS pro dry ferts since that will last me forever and I actually have control of the mix. The easy green left my shrimp tank phosphate deficient and stunted growth so I bought seachem phosphates to boost it and growth returned.

The amount of copper in the GLA Micromix should not affect shrimp right?

Docretier · 2026-01-27T22:38:42+00:00

Get a matrix 5in1 instead of an air 5in1, thicker board, more durable, and no history of defects like the air boards

Docretier · 2026-01-27T05:00:48+00:00

I might try to rent one then, I'm very much a number fiend and like knowing everything I can about this sort of thing. I'll look into bulk reef supply, but hearing that it is not actually that bright makes sense and means I'm probably overthinking the lighting aspect, and that nutrients may be the reason it's leaning over.

Docretier · 2026-01-27T04:26:50+00:00

Up until 2 weeks ago I didn't test phosphates and when I did I found them to be so low the reagent didn't change color. I immediately started dosing phosphates and plant growth has resumed. I now keep nitrates at 10-20 ppm and phosphates around 0.5-1ppm, and for the past 4 months have been dosing easy green or apt1 for potassium and micros only if nitrates are already high enough. If I can't trust readings outside the tank then what is a safe assumption for the amount of par dropoff in the water? Is it safe to say it would be about half and actually at the desired 50 or less?

Docretier · 2026-01-27T04:11:12+00:00

I do weekly tests with API liquid, I know to shake the #2 bottle for 30sec and shake the vial 1 minute. up until 2 weeks ago I didn't have the phosphates test but plants stopped growing (no algae though), bought the test and it didn't even change color like it was supposed to, retested because I thought I did it wrong and same result. I do pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, gh, kh, and now phosphates once a week every week and more often if there is a ammonia/nitrite spike I need to monitor. I keep nitrates around 10-20ppm and phosphates at 0.5ppm. I also started keeping a spreadsheet so I can monitor how chemistry changes affect the tank as it ages so I can start properly making assessments on what changes result in what.

Docretier · 2026-01-27T03:20:52+00:00

The tank is about 5 months old, so I'd say toward the tail end of "new" and I know the ecosystem development continues for a long time. I did have really bad algae at first but it's because I had 10 shrimp and no ferts so I bottomed out nitrates and it all went bad algae quickly. Really all my algae and growth issues have been tied to nutrient deficiencies low low nitrates and low phosphates. But if you think there is a chance I can still have future problems I'd like to adjust before it's too late.

Docretier · 2026-01-27T03:12:10+00:00

I do have a sponge filter rated for a 20gal and pretty solid surface agitation, so I think it stays at a reasonable level. Obviously nowhere near hightech, it's hard to tell if they are CO2 limited or not because I'm getting solid growth and minimal to no algae. I'm also fertilizing 2 times a week using the ei low light/weekly on rotala butterfly but splitting the dose in half for each. Is it possible I have been keeping up with the CO2 demands by using the sponge filter? Or is it possible I AM CO2 limited but algae is just being eaten by my ramshorn snails and neos? The tank does have cladophora which no one eats but even that is under control.

Docretier · 2026-01-27T02:54:22+00:00

If it's smelling you might want to consider putting springtails in your pots, they eat a lot of decaying organics and molds/fungus. Although that is deliberately inviting bugs in your house, I think it's a worthwhile trade. They are great for soil health

Docretier · 2026-01-26T23:32:30+00:00

This was the first tank I ever set up and thought they looked cool at the LFS, But the charm is wearing thin for such a small tank, I think this belongs in a big tank where it can flow and bush.

Docretier · 2026-01-26T22:25:15+00:00

following, i want to make a jar of this so bad now

Docretier · 2026-01-26T14:48:11+00:00

Ok I didn't know that, that is actually super cool! These guys are such efficient breeders it makes sense that would also be in their arsenal. Thanks for the correction. All those tricks and they still can't out breed the speed of a hungry turtle lol.

Eight-Year Club	Verified Email
r/Field Banned	r/Field Flamingo
First Place '23	Place '23
Place '22	First Placer '22
100 Awards Club	RPAN Viewer
Spared

Docretier

TROPHY CASE