Need a foreground plant suggestion

[aakks]

I'm looking for suggestions for a foreground plant for my office tank.

55g tank with 2x32w T8s, leonardite+onyx (2"ish), Non-CO2 method, probably want to dry start the foreground plant. The tank will be driftwood+java fern plus a foreground plant only. I might add something else down the road, but initially I'm looking for just 2 dominant plant species (java fern + foreground). Low maintenance is very important to me since this will be in my office.

Suggestions? I'd rather it not break the bank. I'm hoping dry start will help with this.

 

[uncleddie]

Cryptocoryne wendtii


It will probably melt its leaves when you plant it, but with the right conditions (light/nutrients), it should take off again. Research 'crypt melt'. Might be best to trim off the existing leaves and plant just the new sprouts. Mine turned very dark, almost olive with tan undersides. It started pearling a few weeks ago. It also looks good with lighter green colored plants like Java Fern, but not as much by itself... Well, I think so anyway. AZ Gardens sell them cheap in 10X bundle, but I believe they are very common.

 

[aakks]

Crypt wendtii is a great choice. That was my back up choice if I didn't get another option I liked. I've grown it before in a medium light, co2, ei tank. It doesn't melt nearly as badly as other crypts in my experience. I also like that it comes in quite a few color varieties, so I can break things up a bit. I have never grown it emersed. I assume it is suitable for dry start since crypts are often grown emersed. I really like this plant, and it is high on my list and a real possibility.

Any other suggestions?