For most of the aquatic plants you will require a substrate whether that is sand gravel or soil so that you can anchor its roots into the substrate.
Carpet plants for sand substrate.
Most carpet plants have tiny leaves and plants with tiny leaves generally need very intense light to do well.
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Most of them also need co2 supplementation and ferts.
You can also attach it to any rock driftwood or any other decoration in your aquarium and then put it inside your aquarium.
You can plant anubias in your gravel substrate.
This is one of the more attractive carpet plants that produces four leaves to a stem just like land based clover.
Do you have substrate or.
On the other hand there are some plants that don t require any substrate to keep them in an aquarium.
While it doesn t require fertilization to grow if you want a full carpet of hairgrass you should add both root tabs and co2.
Some will grow in sand possibly most but the substrate is the very least of the concerns.
I think sand would be a bit better for the plants because then their roots can set a bit easier and spread out but im pretty sure you can grow plants in gravel just might not be as easy for their roots to set.
It also has the benefit of being easy to grow even when planted in sand.
This plant will thrive perfectly in a nutrient rich substrate of preferably iron rich clay or aquarium soil and quality tank water.
Those that might grow won t be carpets they ll grow much taller and leaner looking.
Dwarf hairgrass is a rewarding carpet plant that will mimic a grassy field inside of your aquarium.
Also if you prepare your sand substrate by adding some root tabs before planting your aquatic plants then it will help it anchor its roots in the sand substrate.
Depending on where you live keeping this plant may be banned because it is considered an invasive species.
And these are the plants that you can keep and grow in your aquarium having a sand substrate.
Micro sword is a small carpet plant species 4 7 cm or 2 3 inches that forms an excellent foreground subject for planted tanks.
How to grow aquarium plants with inert substrate.