plant basics

[Airli]

i have a few plants in my new 35 gallon. im not sure what they are but i believe them to be pretty hardy. look here to see them
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=83502

anyway, what i want to know is what is the minimum requirements to keep healthy plants. i have 30 watts of flourescent light over them, a fine gravel/rough sand substrate, and thats about it. can i keep plants successfully in here? i dont want to change the lights or have CO2. I need to get some kind of plant food right? but what and how much?

i would really really appreciate some help with this, thanks.

 

[KentBlokey]

The Plants to the left are Elodea/Egeria Densa. Fairly easy to grow, being both cold water and tropical. The other seems to to be Vallis. Another easy to grow plant.

Some would say that you don't have enough light to go by the watt per gallon rule. I don't follow that so I won't use that. But you could just get some more low light, easy to maintain plants like...

Java Fern
Hygrophila, of which there are different varieties.
Anubias.
An possibly Amazon sword.

There are other poeple on here who know more about c02, so they may help you.

About the substrate, I just have Sand. What you have sounds fine. And I've not bothered with laterite or whatever it's called.

I use some root, slow release tablet fertilizers and a liquid aquarium plant food.

 

[phishluvr]

At 30 watts, you have ~1 watt/gallon which is considered a 'low-light' tank. That's fine, just look for plants with minimal lighting requirements. It just so happens that with lower lighting, there is less demand for CO2 and nutrients as well. You might want to mix some laterite into the gravel for nutrients. When it comes time to switch out your light, consider replacing it with a bulb made for plant growth.

Some plants like the Elodea (the dense, dark green plant in the background) is very hardy, grows like a weed and I think could survive in most situations. You could also look into anubias which are gorgeous plants, some varieties attach themselves to wood or rocks.


for more info, try googling "low-tech planted aquariums." You might also try posting on the planted tanks board.

 

[rdd1952]

They ones behind the angels look like anachris but I'm not certain. The one in th pic of the cory definitely looks like anubias. My corys love those plants. The leaves are wind and a couple are close to the sand. They stay under them like their caves. Try this link. It has pretty good profiles on plants and what type light they need.

http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pCatId=768