Low Tech Plants?

[minnnt]

I'm wanting to add a few low tech plants to some of my aquariums. One on particular which is my newest fry tank. It's 55 litres and roughly 19" long and about 12" tall. Lighting is a single t8 and can be on as long/little as needed. What would peoples suggestions be and what kind of time should the light be on for a day?

Thanks.

 

[nurglespuss]

Lighting 8 hours, and use java fern, java moss, nano anubias they are all pretty hardy, won't get eaten by your fish, and are fine in low tech setups.

heres a pic of the 24" tank i set up in work a year ago with java fern in it, it has no CO2 etc, and runs on a cheap flourescent bulb 9-5 each day.

 

[minnnt]

Wow, that looks ace!! Is java fern something that has to be attached to a piece of wood? I have a fair few pieces of Vallis that I can thin out from.another tank, would that be ok too? Also, was wondering about trimming it, how do I 'prune' Vallis? I believe the fluorescent light on this tank is just a normal one as it is unlike the colour in any of my other tanks.

 

[StandbySetting]

Microsorum pteropus, Anubias spp, Cryptocoryne spp, Hygrophila spp (only the green varieties), Heterantherea zosterifolia, Pogostemon helferi, Valliseneria spp and Echinodorus spp and any species of moss or floating plant you wish to keep, the ones in red will need to be tied to wood and or rocks, and the Echinodorus will need to have its rhizome kept above the substrate level.

To prune Valliseneria, pull the tallest leaves off the rosette.

 

[KittyKat]

I use Crypt. wendtii in by fry tanks (currently selling some on here), they get about 8 hours per day, at just under 1 WPG.

 

[nurglespuss]

On the Vallis one, I've seen some tanks where the owners trim the leaves directly (i.e. cut them in half), the leaves seem to last a fair wmmount of time, but I should also think it leaves the plant vulnerable to attack from fungi/bacteria etc. and probably stresses it too.

Floating plants are definately a great idea SS

I tie on my java fern with black cotton thread, or thin black cable ties.

 

[StandbySetting]

You could also super glue plants to wood and rocks if you wish.