Planting Tips For Low Light Setups

[mislisa]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips for my tank. It's a 55g (in my sig) with only 2 15w bulbs. I'm unable to add more light at the moment, so i was wondering if you'd have some suggestions. The tank has a sand substrate with a few pieces of driftwood and the odd piece of slate. I have a few plants at the moment, but except for the crypts, sword (unsure what type) and java fern, are doing poorly. I've started adding some flourish excel, but i'm not 100% sure this is useful, or just a scam.

I also don't have co2, as i can't really afford the setup cost of doing it properly.
Also, i'm going to be moving in a few months, so any changes will be happening then.


My main questions are:

1) what plants can i grow?
2) do these plants need fertilizers? What kind is best?
3) should i add some laterite to the sand when i move?
4)is there a tall plant that will work in my tank? (everything's short!)


Thank you for your help, it is greatly appreciated!

 

[ian]

1) what plants can i grow?

Java ferns, Crypts, Anubias, some swords, Ceratopteris thalictroides etc etc. Sometimes it's trial and error.

2) do these plants need fertilizers? What kind is best?

All plants need some kind of fertilisation. They way it goes is this Light, C02, nitrate, phosphate, trace. Sometimes with light as low as yours you can get away with nothing at all, but your plants will tell you what they need. Sometimes water companies pack there water with the trace element and even the nitrates. Mainly hard water areas. If you're plants are struggling now, you probably need some kind of trace in there.

The Excel you're using is a liquid C02. If you are using this then you'll need to be adding more fertilisers. If the tank is well stocked, you may get away without having to dose Nitrate and Phosphate as you're light is so low. Personally i would start adding some trace ie normal seachem flourish

3) should i add some laterite to the sand when i move?

Laterite is a little out dated now, however some people use it and swear by it. I used it a couple of times and didn't notice much of a difference. Adding some TNC plugs into the substrate is always beneficial as these will leach into the water column over a longer period of time.

4)is there a tall plant that will work in my tank? (everything's short!)

Aponogeton's would work well for you, as would Crypt balansae. You could always try some vallis and see how you get on.

 

[mislisa]

Great!!! Thank you! I'll have to order some of these plants and give them a try.

What are TNC plugs? I've seen the seachem flourish root tabs... are these the same?

 

[ian]

I just checked your profile and you're not from the UK. These are available in the UK along with Tropica plant nutrition + root caps. I advised these as they contain some nitrate and phosphate, they leach over time as well.

 

[minnnt]

Low light plants are great. Usually very reliable once established and need very little attention. The ones Ian mentioned will all do well, although i have had zero luck with the swords.

Crypts are a firm favourite of mine as most people on the planted section know, so i will always advocate those to anyone who will listen Java ferns want for very little as do Anubias so could form the 'backbone' of your tank as far as plants are concerned.

According to your signature i would say you have enough fish to provide the plants mentioned with enough nutrients. Carbon shouldn't be necessary though i wouldn't have thought with the low lighting you have and the plants mentioned.

 

[mislisa]

i probably don't need it.... i just thought it might help them grow. I have some plants right now that aren't doing so well.