Heres A Challenge For The Plant Experts

[markandhisfish]

ok so here is my scenario. 4x2x2 planted discus tank low tech low light ( 2 38w t8 tubes and 1 40w tube) i have just 1 tube on for part of the evening and i have noticed that since i changed to a blue background that when the lights are on dim ( just 1 38w tube) that the discus colours really pop. cos of this combined with the fact that discus like the lights low are there any plants that will grow large but like it really dimly lit as it is with just the single tube , as id like to be able to have the lights like that all thee time to get the best colour out of the fish but obviously this is no where near enough for my current plant. ( amazon swords and hygrophilia polysperma )

any ideas/ suggestions?

ps floating plants to give shade not really viable as my waters surface is too turbulant.

 

[ian]

Did you look into aponogeton ulvaceus?

a couple of thses bulbs will grow like wild fire and don't mind warmer temps.

 

[markandhisfish]

yes i did like the look of those but would i be able to have very dim light and still grow them?

 

[ian]

they grew for me in less than 1 wpg and i have seen them grown in v low light tanks. I think llj has one in her 0.5 wpg low tech tank. Honestly, Mark, you can stand and watch these plants grown.

 

[markandhisfish]

hmmm intersting . i may well give 1 a try .

 

[ian]

see what others say, but for what you want, with the fish you have, other than add larger swords. I can't think of a better plant.

 

[markandhisfish]

cheers ian i may well order 1 and see how it gos .

 

[lljdma06]

they grew for me in less than 1 wpg and i have seen them grown in v low light tanks. I think llj has one in her 0.5 wpg low tech tank. Honestly, Mark, you can stand and watch these plants grown.

Actually, .77WPG, but .5WPG is totally doable. I've grown the odd aponogeton with stock T8 lighting before I got into planted tanks. Those are often as low as .5WPG.

How many gallons is it? Another suggestion, Cryptocoryne. spiralis. Tall plant, likes warmer temps too.

 

[markandhisfish]

its 100 uk gallons which i believe is around 118 us gallons .