29 Gallon Planted Tank

[IovaykInD]

I've only been able to grow water sprite in my tank, and I was wondering if anybody else had a tank with the same specs that could grow other kinds of plants. Any suggestions as to what plants I could get that would grow? I have regular gravel, same tank as my sig.

Isaac

 

[pseud]

Anubias. Go for a nice Anubias only tank. Think of it as a challenge

 

[kenneth_kpe]

a tank with 18 watts could be a slow grow tank hmmm java moss ? hehehehe floating plants ? and yes anubias ! but im not sure if the anubias will remain algae free ? i havent tried making a low light tank ! i think it will be challenging !

 

[IovaykInD]

Yea, there is a lot of algae in the tank, especially on the gravel(brown colored, takes time to get off). I've had anubias before, but if it gets covered in algae, what do I do about it?

I'm planning on getting java moss, but I don't know if it will survive. If it doesn't and turns into a big blob of brown, I will get mad
Isaac

 

[kenneth_kpe]

it might be hard keeping a low light tank algae free... and im not sure on how to do it... your lighting is really low less then 1WPG and its a 29 gallon tank... i guess what you could maybe try is tie the moss to drifwood and situate the drifwood so it reaches a top parts of your tank and then tie the moss there, giving it more light.... or you could also try that method with the anubias

 

[Griz]

My lighting is similar to yours (20w/33gal) and I've had success with Amazon sword, crypt and java fern.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

griz ! id like to learn more on maintaining low light tanks, whats the spec ? do you dose ? what does it look like etc etc

 

[IovaykInD]

Yes Griz..can you give us more specs and info on your tank. I was thinking amazon sword, cause it looks so nice, but I didn't think it would survive. Any tips that you can share with us?

Isaac

 

[modernhamlet]

My first tank was a 29g with <1wpg. No CO2, No ferts, Fluorite substrate.

To fight the algae, I would suggest an easy, fast growing stem plant like Hygrophila Polysperma. Grows in the lowest of lighted tanks and if you prune and replant it right, can look pretty nice and dense.

Other plants I have had good luck with:
Thai onion
Java fern
Java moss
Cryptocoryne wendtii

Here's a worthwhile read:
http/www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms_view_article.php?aid=38

 

[IovaykInD]

Do you have a picture of your tank? I would like to see what I am able to do with this tank. Thanks for the reading, I think I might go out and buy some plants, but I'm afraid I'll waste my money if they won't survive. Hopefully, I won't be wasting my money if I decide to go and buy plants.

Isaac

 

[Griz]

You can have a look at the links in my sig to get an idea. There's a full-tank pic in my profile but it's a bit old. I just put my camera batteries into the charger and will post some pics on the weekend. They will go into the Members Pics section but I'll post a link to it here. I use Flourinette tabs and Flourish liquid but at no where near their recommended dose. Light is a 20W AquaGlow. Not ideal but I didn't know that when it was purchased. It is on about 10hrs/day. Substrate is clay soil mixed with some peat and covered with sand. There are risks to using soil - research before doing it! I've had no problems with it except for one. I mixed in some vermiculite which sometimes ends up on top of the sand. I don't like the look of it and vacuum it up during regular maintainance, but it causes no trouble. The tank has been running for just over a year and all the plants where there from the start. The sword on the right was just a sprout from the main plant and is now 12" tall. Everything grows slowly but is healthy.

 

[IovaykInD]

What are the dimensions of your 33 gallon tank? Is it longer than the regular 29 gallon, because my tank in 18" high. I'm thinking your 33 gallon might be not as tall but longer.

Isaac

 

[Griz]

36 x 12 x 18 high

 

[IovaykInD]

Well I don't know if you took pictures of the tank before, but it'd be great if I could see a before and after picture. I'm always wondering if it's possible to have a tank like this to be REALLY planted, and I mean REALLY REALLY planted. Would it help at all if I added c02 because I might be able to do that. If I do that, then I'm gonna add fertilizer too, if it helps at all. I just don't want to add more light because it'll promote algae growth, which I already have enough of Not to mention my dad asking why I need so much light and wasting energy

Isaac

 

[Griz]

You can't really have a lush garden of a tank with low lighting. Certainly not anything like some of the beautiful tanks you see on this forum. It is possible however to have a very nice looking tank if you stick to low-light plants that will work for you like java moss, java fern anubias etc. You must also remember that your plants will grow rather slowly, don't expect too much too soon. Plant placement is also very important, I have nothing planted in the ends of the tank, there's just not enough light. Instead I filled these areas up with driftwood and my fish seem to really enjoy these dark areas.

CO2 is generally used with higher lighting levels, I'm not sure it would help with a low light setup. It may even cause problems. Perhaps someone with more knowledge about CO2 could comment on that.