plants for goldfish tank

[eve]

I want to move 2 goldfish in to a 30gallon hex(empty right now)It is 21 inches high.I would like to add live plants to the tank.It came with a 14watt GE Aqua Ray fluorescet bulb.I would be willing to spend money for the right light.It is only 16" wide so I can't find a stronger bulb.I am only looking for basic plants.Do you guys know if it is possilbe for me to have some live plants?Do you know of any?Thanks Eve

[AquaObsession]

You can try some anubia or java fern. NO guarantee though.

[FishFan]

Java ferns and Anubias are good choices. However, Goldfish have been known to love to munch on plants. Perhaps some other forumers can advise you better.

[Wzierbovsky]

I've got four lionheads in one tank. In my case, they left java ferns and anubias untouched. Other plants they didn't touch are Echinodorus parviflorus, Hydrocotyle verticillata, Vallisneria tortifolia, and Hygrophila difformis.

The ones for sure that they ripped into tiny bits were Limnophila sessiflora, Cambomba caroliniana and Egeria densa.

[GIN]

They also eat small floating plants.

[futoi71]

They also munch the roots of larger floating plants like water Hyacinth and water lettuce.

Gold Fish will dig if i remember so you may need to consider how to keep the plants rooted.

[eve]

Thanks for all your repleys!I am going to to but java fern and anubia but what do you think of the lighting?I have the 15watt fluorescent bulb strip the tank came with .I did see that i could buy a 16 inch incandescent strip and put two 10 watt mini compact fluorescent bulbs or use the incandescent two 25 watts.Its hard to find anything so small for lighting there not much out there for 16".

[GaspingGurami]

Your problem for lighting is depth, compounded by a small surface area.

But Anubias and Java fern don't need much light to survive. With some acclimatising, it'll do fine. Float the plants for the first week to get them used to your tank, then tie them down the next.

I'd choose the two 25W incandescent, but watch the water temperature closely. If it gets warm (like 30 degrees C) I'd drop out one lamp. If you can get daylight corrected bulbs, all the better.

[Pinkpaw]

I have 2 big goldfish both about 4 inches long in size in my 45gal tank and they constantly move everything arround (gravel and plants). I found that I had to keep my plants planted in those little baskets to keep them in place and to protect the roots. The fish constantly dig them up if they are not planted in little pots.

I would love to find out where to purchase the pot baskets and the spongy medium they use for planting. I haven't been able to find them anywhere other then the pet store but you have to purchase a new plant to get one.