Growing In Gravel

[stickyemu]

hi can i grow plants in just black gravel low tec or do i need other stuff to have plants

ps. i have lights

 

[lljdma06]

hi can i grow plants in just black gravel low tec or do i need other stuff to have plants

ps. i have lights

What kind of lights do you have and what is the wattage? For me, having enough light is more important that the type of substrate. Some of the really low tech plants don't even require one. Anubias, java fern, and mosses attach to wood and decorations. Cryptocorynes, another low tech, need a substrate.

 

[stickyemu]

thanks for the reply the lights i have come with the tank witch is a aqua one ar620 and on the light it says
pl-18w 14000k/7100k fsl red/white hope that helps

 

[aaronnorth]

here is my tank using just gravel, and tropica plant nutrition+ weekly fertiliser, as you can see all the plants are generally healthy, i was just strating with plants back then so that is why the tank is not looking too good

There are various plant layouts above.

You have low lighting, so plants that wil survive are:

anubias,
cryptocorynes - may need root tabs as they are heavy root feeders
java fern
moss balls
mosses
bolbitis
hygrophillia sp
elodea densa

 

[stickyemu]

your tank looks good i would be happy with that i shall wright a list of the plants you recomend and get some when my tank has cycled thanks for your help

 

[masterid]

Decorative aquarium gravel is the ideal way to enhance the appearance of you fish tank. It is always better to not use rocks from outside. You can buy natural aquarium rock at pet stores. If you are going to use outside rocks though, make sure your boil them to kill any bad bacteria.

Black gravel is nice because it tends to make your fish look darker and more vibrant. I have black gravel in an aquarium with a black angelfish and I can still see him. It actually makes his black very dark looking.

 

[SuperColey1]

Crypts can actually be attached to rock/wood just like Anubias and Ferns!!! I saw some Tropica ones the other week and was puzzled at what type of plant it was until I could see the label on one. It was a Wendtii Green and had taken very well to the bogwod it was cable tied to!!

I may try it one day in the future.

As poster say above. Nutrient rich substrate is a luxury but not a necessity. A lot of people dose water column only and have inert substrate

AC