With keeping plants, I like to have high lighting, thus my expectations are a minimum of 2.5wpg with co2 injection (DIY). I have only been keeping goldfish for a few weeks, but I have found they seem to do well with the Java Fern varieties (Microsorium pteropus), Swords Varieties (Echinodorus Sp.) and Anubias Varieties (Anubias sp.). The goldfish do pick at it from time to time, but they actually eat the algae on the leaves, and not hurting the plants. I tend to plant the Swords in pots so they stay compact in a 4X2X2 tank and the Microsorium and Anubias attached to driftwood or clay pots. They are very easy to look after once you have the correct lighting and with some dosage of liquid ferts they tend to flower often and give daughter plants.

Some examples of the above plants...

Microsorium Pteropus 'Windelov'


Microsorium Pteropus 'Red'


Echinodorus 'Ozelot Green'


Echinodorus 'Red Flame'


Anubias 'nana'


Anubias 'gracilis'



Mango

Java ferns are great in goldfish tanks! Do you have pictures of your tank?

Certainly.





Mango

You'll probably need to have 3-4w/g to get that much red in the flame sword as per that pic. Your ozelot sword at the moment still has its round emersed leaf growth, so once it starts growing it submersed leaves be prepared for them to easily reach the surface at 2' long or more. Ozelots actually grow bigger and broader than amazons given enough space, CO2 and light. I had to pull all mine out as they simply grew too large. They're really nice while they're still small though!

I like your tank, plants and fish! Very nice, and thanks for sharing the info!

I have successfully propergated and grow Red Flame Ozelots in a tank with 3wpg, so its ok. Minimum i recommend is 3wpg for them.

The Ozelot I have in my tank is newly planted. Its going to grow larger before I place it in my pond so it can grow about the water surface to reduce my nitrates in the water.

Mango

Forever-Mango, how did you get algae to grow on the sides and bottom of your tank?

how big is the tank thanks for the info

The tank is a 4X2X2 tank. It used to stock baby koi with no lighting. I left the algae on the sides and cleaned the front only. It doesnt get direct sunlight, but the shine from outside. No algae eatter only the koi which pick at it from time to time. Its normal in outside tanks and ponds, my pond wall is covered in 5mm thick hair algae and it seems to be good food for the fish and it helps to reduce nitrites so i guess its a good think.

Mango

I love the look of your "bare bottom" tank! The algae looks wonderful!