Free freshwater plants

South Bend IN

Description

Hey peeps, I just re-scaped my freshwater tank. Here are some free plants, what you see is what I got to share. I should've have put some sense of scale in the tub, but most of the Vals are 2-3in. I did the research for ya below. -I found that my Anubias nana had a daughter plant that is ready for a new home. I already have plenty of this pretty plant scattered in a few places. A very durable, easy-care, submerged slow-grower plant; just don't bury "the roots." I use super-glue gel* to attach the plant rhizome (when healthy = green) to a rock/wood structure and they do just great. Even if the leaves sometimes get a bit of algae on them, the plant will do fine with available light. -Next up, we have a pile of Vallisneria spp., commonly called eelgrass, this is a USA native that grows to the top of the tank and then lays flat. This is the "generic" version, not twisted leaves, not Jungle (super-thick) Val. This plant when happy, will grow via horizontal runners and can therefore become a tad thick in places (picture what lawn grass does where you don't want it). They never send out terribly deep roots, so they're easy to move if needed. Usually not too fussy either if enough fish mulm is provided. -Next is a Cryptocoryne spp. (probably mini parva). This is a single plant that compared to the others mentioned is fussy. The leaves will often "melt" after being moved, this is very common for the "Crypts" genus. A slow-grower which is a big fan of light (a plant imagine that!), the root system hates being fiddled with. Plant it once and leave it alone, is my advice. Whatever you're picturing growth-wise, think even slower. -A keen eye will noticed a weird-looking thing in the last picture attached to a black speck of rock. Good job, you found a small piece of Subwassertang (technically Süßwassertang). No one actually knows where this weirdo originates from, but we now know its an aquatic fern! I like to again, use a drop of superglue and attach it to a hard surface, where it can become a lush thick green bush-of-sorts. I found this when I was cleaning, the fact that it already attached to my gravel is a nice plus! Does fine in low lighting too, with a lovely translucent green color. I live up by U.P. mall, in South Bend. I'll be around tomorrow (12/30), so send me a TXT and I'll pour them into a plastic baggie to whomever gets in touch first. FYI, I kinda nuked my tank (hydrogen peroxide plant soaks and seltzer water tank fill) to kill off excess snails and some tenacious algae. I've not seen anything else moving among these, but might be best to quarantine or do a third 75:25 water:peroxide, 10min dip. Cheers, -Mike.