Hard Water Plants

[dwriggity]

Hello Everyone,

It's been awhile since I've posted, hope everyone is doing well.

Where I live the water is very hard. I had difficulty growing at first but I've done more research and found plants that grow very well in my local water. I've got java moss, java fern, anubias nana., and onion plants that are all doing great. I was wondering if anyone knew of any other backround plants that will do well in hard, alkaline water. I would also like a plant that carpets. Also any plants that are red, or have red in them that will do well in hard water. Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[Captain Hook]

Cryptocorynes.

 

[John N.]

How hard is your water exactly?

Crypts are a nice hardy plant that can survive in hardwater. You can check out plantgeeks.com for other hard water classified plants in their plant guide, or you can also pursue APC's plant finder at www.aquaticplantcentral.com (top left toolbars).

For a red plant, I find A.reinkie (spelling) a fairly managable plant.

-John N.

 

[daveedka]

I personally think the Whole "plants don't like Hard Water" thing is a myth. I have several plants that are said to be hardwater sensative and they grow just fine. With the calcium I add for the shrimp and snails, and the magnesium I add to give the plants a good Ca to MG ratio, I have about 25-35 dGH depending in the tank. MY KH runs between 8 and 15 depending on the tank. The only plant I've had a lot of trouble with was Val which is supposed to be the plant that likes hard water the best.

I would try whatever plants you like, and if you have trouble with them look at something other than hard water as a probable cause. It's not always easy to tell what is going on, but I really don't think The hardness of thewater will make much difference.

dave

 

[John N.]

I personally think the Whole "plants don't like Hard Water" thing is a myth.

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you here, it's not a myth. Tonias, Eriocaulons, and a couple of others (check APC's plantfinder) definately need softer water to survive well and flourish.

Tonia Belem

Eriocaulon cinereum

However most of the common plants thrive in any water pretty much. But there are certainly a couple of species that need softer water.

-John N.

 

[CatLover]

I have hard water and I have had the following growing for almost 2 months: java ferns, anacharis, tiger lotus, a couple types of swords, creeping charlie.

I have a few green and white vals that I bought about 2 weeks ago and so far, so good.
Last week I bought some kind of crypt and green mondo grass- so far so good.

My tiger lotus has some red in it and it is probably my favorite.

 

[daveedka]

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you here, it's not a myth.

I'll have to try them myself, Several of the plants I have are siad to not grow in hard water, but they grow for me. Rotala macrandra is one in particular, and the African bolbitus which has grown better than any other plant I own. There is a general myth that claims plants don't like hard water, which was what I was refferring my comments towards. I'm sure there are exceptions to many of the rules.


BTW, That is an awesome Site link you provided. It is very hard to find an easy to use Plant ID guide, and that is one of the better ones I've seen.

Dave

 

[John N.]

Dave I completely understand what you mean. I also believe lots of plants can grow in hard water, but of course there are some exceptions, especially with the rarer plants from asia.

-John N.

 

[plantbrain]

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you here, it's not a myth. Tonias, Eriocaulons, and a couple of others (check APC's plantfinder) definately need softer water to survive well and flourish.

Tonia Belem

Eriocaulon cinereum

However most of the common plants thrive in any water pretty much. But there are certainly a couple of species that need softer water.

-John N.

There are few species that prefer softer water, but by and large, most plants prefer harder water, preference being faster growth rates found in natural systems.........

Regards,
Tom Barr