Plants with larger sunfishs.

How deep of a pot would I need? Would two inches be enough with some pea gravel on top?
Nativeplanter, if you want to get rid of some plants just let me know.

I think that size should do it to start with.

I can certainly send a few things. I'll look about to see what I have extras of.

Ah. That's what I have too. I would use some cheap potting soil (be sure it doesn't have fertilizers in it, as some come that way now), mixed with some crushed dry leaves. Next time I do a tear-down, I'm going to incorporate more leaf matter into the substrate.

What exactly do you mean by dry crushed leaves? You said that you used pecan leaves, I don't have pecan leaves but I do own 21 acres of woods.

Meaning go out and rake up some dry leaves, and crush them between your hands until you can mix them with the soil fairly well (but it doesn't have to be pulverized). Note that I used pecan leaves and it worked out well. I assume your leaves will work out fine, but as always, "your milage may vary".

DON'T use walnut or black walnut leaves. They are allelopathic.

First off, you dont say if you intend to only use native plants, I have one sunfish tank which I have severel non natives that work well. I have never had a problem with the sunfish intentionally disturbing the plants, they seem to benefit more from the cover. If you are considering non native plants i can suggest some,just shoot me a message.

As far as natives, anythign you can plant or that floats on the surface is fine. Locally I have found some plant Im not sure what it is growing in creeks, i put some in my tank and it does well and eventually roots itself. My sunfish love it. Also many people seem to doubt it can be done but duckweed and lily pads can thrive in a larger tank as long as the water level is kept high enough to keep the water relatively still.

For substrate/gravel. I use a commerical aquarium substrate in my main community tank, I almost looks like black sea salt and only clouds the water for a few hours, it is denser than water and settles nicely esp. when i cover it. I have not noticed any dramatic changes in water quality due to it. If you decide to use pots I find the best soil for me is to scoop up a good amount of mud from a pond/creek bottom. I let it sit by itself in some water that i add some aquarium water treatment to to kill off any parasites. After 48 hours I pot the plants and put them in.

oh and nativeplanter could not be more on the money about walnut leaves, they are locally abundant so i tried them, they ruined my water quality, stability as well as stained the water. Learned that lesson the hard way.

My father and I have built a few cabinets out of walnut, and any part of a walnut tree will stain and just about ruin everything.
Please let me know what plants you have found to be good with Sunfish. I don't have any plants yet and I am still in the planning stage. I am not really going for a nice looking planted tank just want some more cover for my sunfish to hide and swim through.

Thanks Wolfie