29 gallon tank

[IovaykInD]

I have a 29 gallon tank that I just set up and I want to plant it. I have a 17 watt 5500k flourescent bulb for lighting. From what i've read, all I can probably support is java moss. I have really strong currents in my tank, because of the power filter, and 2 powerheads. What I want to know is if java moss is a good plant for such high currents. Will it get ripped, or will it survive? There are no fish in the tank yet, i'm still trying to get it planted first. What other plants can I have with only 17 watts for a 29 gallon tank?

Isaac

Also forgot to say, the tanks temperature is 70 degrees.

 

[houndour]

if you are serious about having plants I would get more light. The 5500K is right, but I wouldn't have thought you'd grow anything at 0.5 watts a gallon. IMO Java moss isn't the prettiest and it's not exactly a plant. You could probably try Java Fern.

I'm not to up on filters. what do you mean by a power filter and 2 powerheads? is that like 3 filters? or 2? or 1 even?

On my filter you can control the flow a bit. Can you not do that on yours to slow it down a bit?

 

[IovaykInD]

The powerheads power the UGF and the power filter is for mechanical filtration. So I guess that would be considered one filter. Will java moss grow in .5 watts per gallon?

 

[abstract]

you will want to remove the UGF.....no need to over-filter a planted tank - thats what the plants are for...plus the UGF will make it impossible for the roots to become established properly

 

[IovaykInD]

No can do..my dad is stubborn But what I want is floating java moss. Will it work?

Isaac

 

[abstract]

sure, java moss or any rhizome plant really (java fern, anubias, and the likes) will work with the UGF since they dont establish their roots in the substrate...any sword plant, and most others really, need to establish their roots in the substrate so the UGF will lead to problems with those

 

[IovaykInD]

How much should I get? Since it grows slowly, I think I should start off with a lot. Let me go check the price of java moss at my local fish store first.

 

[tear-scar]

if you are serious about having plants I would get more light. The 5500K is right, but I wouldn't have thought you'd grow anything at 0.5 watts a gallon. IMO Java moss isn't the prettiest and it's not exactly a plant. You could probably try Java Fern.

Eh . . ??? What are you talking about?? Java moss is a very pretty plant! A staple of many planted aquaria . . . anyway bryophytes such as mosses (particularly Taxiphyllum species like java moss) and liverworts are one of the most interesting fields of research for planted aquaria development right now. I have a tank devoted to emersed and submersed cultures of local mosses, and a lot of serious planted aquarists are closely following the discovery of new aquatic moss species. It is a very active and interesting field!