What plants are good for low light and don't require a lot of extra equipment?

[Randy19615]

I have a 40 gallon aquarium it has been running now for a couple of months. I built the canopy and have minimal lighting right now....  I have a small floresent bulb just enough to light up the aquarium. I know I will have to buy another fixture and bulb I do not want to go crazy with equipment as I am new to running an aquarium and have been having a challange just keeping the fish happy.... what plants would be best and what lighting should I buy?

[Fishnut]

A lot of crypts are great with low light.  Java moss also does well in low light.  Neither of these suggestions require much more equipment than basic lights.

[kennyman]

I had a basic amazon sword that did really well in a 20gal under a single tube and I was able to grow Vallis under the stock lighting in my 55.

[sas]

What about some of the Anubias, although they can be pricey.

[Laura]

Java fern - either the standard or windelov variety.

[Randy19615]

Thanks for the suggestions guys,
I will look for the plants and give them a try...

[Randy19615]

I have one more question about plants and the fish..... all the reading I have found talks about setting up a planted aquarium when there are no fish, is it possible to plant an aquarium when you have fish in it?

[KLKelly]

Javafern, wendelov, javamoss and anubias don't need to be planted. They can be tied to drift wood for example.  I am not sure about crypts though.  Maybe you could plant them in pots if they need to be in soil for now?

[fischkopp]

I have one more question about plants and the fish..... all the reading I have found talks about setting up a planted aquarium when there are no fish, is it possible to plant an aquarium when you have fish in it?

When people start a tank they know that it needs to be cycled first, so they dont put any fish in for the first weeks so they are not exposed to poisenious levels of ammoinia NH3 and nitrite NO2. Plants on the other hand are not poisened by these compunds, rather they can use their decomposition product nitrate NO3 as nutrient source (also small amounts of NH3 and NO2) and help stabilizing the tank. And when the NH3 and NO2 is not measurable anymore the fish goes in - thats all

So your tank is already running for a while and hence cycled. There is at NO point any reason why you would not be able to add plants - well, if you stay in freshwater. Your fish will love you for it or just dont care. The only thing you should be careful with is that you dont scare the fish too much, means, maybe let them rest in a bucket if you start planting a big jungle. Adding a few plants is just fine.

Have fun! An dont forget to switch the light on

edit: I assumed you have some substrate already, if not leave the fish and the filter in a bucket while you are gardening ...

[KLKelly]

Do you mean a planted tank as in adding a layer of soil/gravel etc?  Will you be going to the presentation Saturday on planted tanks?

[Randy19615]

I was not sure what to do, I was reading that one could just buy potted plants and re pot when the plants out grow the pot. I have no substate in the tank right now just gravel. I have to work on upgrading my lighting it is subpar right now..

I would love to go to the presentation on Saturday but I have to work.... the joy of working in retail.....

[kennyman]

Substrate is just a fancy word for whats on the bottom. Rocky substrate, gravely substrate, soil substrate etc. It does not refer to any specific type of material. Most people grow plants in aquarium gravel.

[dan2x38]

Everyone below mentioned great plants for your set-up. You can also grow some westria. You can plant right into your gravel. You will likely have to get some grow tabs to push into the gravel. Add some simple plants see how they go... I prune every week or 2 if you ever want I can give you some clippings... if they die you try again... How what fish are in there?

[Brine]

There is a guy on here named Dave (dpatte) from whom I got some Water Sprite. This stuff just grows like mad. Perhaps he is due to trim out some more. See if you can find him and send him a PM. His tank is so full of it that you can't see the fish. I have some in my tank and it thrives. I have a substrate of peat moss, covered by soil, covered by sand. You can see pics of my tank here
http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=21635.msg152039#msg152039.
One way to add substrate after the fact is to mix the soil in water and freeze it, then break bits off and push them under your gravel to melt. This avoids making the water cloudy with new soil. You need to do it in increments so the water temp is not affected adversely though.
Good luck.
By the way it is not too hard to get extra light on a tank and it is relatively cheap to do so. Perhaps you'll want to consider that at some point.

[Randy19615]

Hi dan2x38,
that is so kind of you to offer some clippings that would be great, since my last post I went and put sand in my aquarium over top of the gravel and loose slate I bought a few plants that wrere on sale at PJ's to see if they could survive.... Question for you all what are your opinions on slow release fertilizer sticks? I was told that they are best put under the roots and the plants will survive if I use those?

Has anyone tried them?

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[Randy19615]

Hi Brine,
I like your tank the water sprite looks great I would like to get a hold of some...

Randy

[dan2x38]

Hi Brine,
I like your tank the water sprite looks great I would like to get a hold of some...

Randy

I have some water sprite I float in a couple tanks. If you haven't gotten any when I prune my other plants will have some of it too.

[Randy19615]

Thank you dan you are very kind....

[dan2x38]

Thank you dan you are very kind....

Opps I noticed your in Prescott... likely be cheaper to just buy locally with the price of gas... maybe on harder to get plants would be worth your while...

[Randy19615]

It has been about a month now and I have added a few new plants to my aquarium. I bought them from a local pet store in Brockville and the person behind the counter really did not know much about the plants...  I feel so stupid here I should have done some research before I bought them as to what species they are and what there requirements are for light and so forth... could anyone help me identify some of the plants I have bought... since my original post I have done some additional lighting modifications.

I still have the two 27 watt daylight energy efficient bulbs  and in the last week I have added a florescent fixture with 2 Phillips plant and aquarium 20 watt bulbs the colour temperature is 2700K.

I have been looking at c02 units feeling a little intimidated over them....

If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it

Thanks
Randy

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