Is there a way to grow freshwater plants in gravel ?

im just cycling my aquarium before i put the fish in and i also wanna put plants in to get the natural surrounding. and i already put gravel in

and i dont know what else to grow plants in or how to put them in. please help.

Is there a way to grow freshwater plants in gravel ?
Plants bought at chain stores such as Petsmart and Petco has potted plants in wool. Take off the wool and simply stick the plant into the gravel. People use sand, gravel and substrates such as Flourite or Eco-Complete for plant growth. But in gravel plants will thrive. Also you can do a DIY CO2 system which is not really needed, or simply dose the tank with Flourish as a liquid fertilizer. All this can be bought at a chain store, or look for a local fish store. As for lights people go by 2 watts per gallon, but with low-light plants any of these plants will thrive.



Plants are fine while cycling a tank. As for which plants to buy, beginner and less management plants would be:



java moss ( attaches to driftwood, or can freefloat)

amazon sword plant ( into substrate)

crypts ( substrate, but I like the driftwood look)

marimo balls (moss, that just roams around the tank)

hornwort ( into the substrate)

flame moss ( a nice looking moss and attaches to driftwood)



Most plants sold at these chainstores are low-light plants, carpeting plants for the more advance would be glosso or HC. These plants are sold to simply carpet your substrate. I wouldn't say they are for experts, but they do need strong light and fertilizers. I was lucky to find glosso at my Petsmart and save myself $20+ if I had bought it online.



A good online place is www.aquabid.com or fish forums.
Reply:Some plants will do fine planted in gravel,such as Vallisnera, or dwarf water lilies or Aponogetons.

Some plants will not grow in gravel,like Java Fern or Anubias. They grow on rocks or driftwood,with the rhizome gently attached to the medium.

Some plants do well planted in compost and retained in concealed clay or plastic pots. Like Amazon Swordplants.

Spend a few Dollars on a book, there are lots of factors to consider,(light,pH,hardness,temperature,...
Reply:Yes, you can plant them in gravel and it will work. For healthy and successful planted tanks you either need to stick to the few easily kept beginners plants like Amazon swords and Java Fern. Otherwise there's a whole lot to learn about plants including their lighting needs, substrate needs, fertilization needs, co2 needs, and how different plants differ in all these areas. Google 'planted aquaria' for a start.
Reply:I would suggest you buy grass, either the green and white ...I dont know wat its called or the mundo grass..... They are the best for the tank.. Just place the roots inside the gravel and soon, they will start growing and a new plant will start growing from the root..... You can either seperate them or keep them the way you want......
Reply:Dig through the gravel then you will come to soil plant cover with soil then the gravel
Reply:Yes there is a way,

I had the same problem but you should go to Petsmart or Petco and buy your favorite plant that works well for you're aquarium. Also remember to ask all the details about the plant and explain what kind of setting they are headed towards.The workers at the store will tell you. But basically you find the right spot in the aquarium and just dig a little in the gravel. Then you can place the plant in the gravel and push the gravel against it which by then it should hold. Have fun!!!
Reply:we just bury the plants deep into the gravel so the fish don't dig them out
Reply:buy bulbs!! you can get a package six for 3 dollars! but in my experience only half of them will actually plant themselves and grow.....



you can get a package of bulbs from any petco/petsmart or fish store (they come in a plastic bag dried out). they are REALLY easy to grow. put them about 1/2in under the gravel and in a week you will see them sprouting. in about a month they will be huge, lush and ready for your fish to love....



i don't know why some people suggest fake plants. i personally love the real plants. my algae eater loves to sit on the leaves and eat the algae off of them and my fish love to school back and forth through the leaves!! plus, it's WAY better for your tank and the fish water helps the plants grow!
Reply:I love live plants and the plants will speed up your cycling big time. But research big time first because keeping live plants is far more expensive and time consuming than keeping fish (but worth it). A good substrate which is high in iron is key so gravel is really out. But some say liquid fertilizer can penetrate the gravel and really help.You can use it but he plant roots will will actually grow up and the plants will grow roots on the stalks as the plant knows none of the nutrients are in the gravel. Anubis family plants are great you don't even plant them they just run. Research a proper ballast and lighting, CO2 injection, a light timer, liquid nutrients (use sparingly) and something like purigen to replace the carbon in your filter as carbon steals alot of the trace nutrients plants need .if there all in balance viola nice plants. if one of them are out you get algae growth, pitted leaves, yellow dieing plants, plants stretching to the lights that look thin etc. Some plants alike the sword are root nutrient based and others like wysteria are more water based. You'll do fine just know what your getting into first thats all.
Reply:Dont grow plants. They will be gone before you know it and will harm the fish. Go to a pet shop and buy a fake plant. That will help the fish understand the natrual surroundings or his/her enviorment. Each fish tank shoud have: Filter, Gravel, Plants (fake). Each Fish tank MIGHT want to have: Light, Decorations, Heater.