Plants For Lo-no-lighting?

[MermaidMel]

What can I put in my betta's 3.3g?
The only lighting will be an under-cupboard spotlight that won't even penetrate the black plastic hood.
So I'm looking for a slow growing plant with no or very little need for lighting that will do ok in a heated/filtered small space?
(tall order this innit, I know!!)

 

[three-fingers]

Plants need light, without light, they die. I doubt the under-cupboard lighting will provide the right spectrum for the plants even if you could make it brighter, though algae may like it.
If I were you I'd work out some lighting for the tank.

Plastic plants are your only real option.
If you must have a live plant, then go for Anubias sp because it will take longer to die due to lack of light than most other plants, but won't grow.

 

[SuperColey1]

It should be easy enough to get some sort of light that is OK for the tank even if it just a normal screw in compact fluorescent for your cupboard light.

There are plenty around that are 6500K daylight and if they can fit into your cupboard lights socket then use one.

Andy

 

[MermaidMel]

I'm guessing if I put a light under the hood it would melt the plastic? It's only a basic clearseal tank and they have the basic plastic hoods, unless there is another way that anyone knows of?

 

[littlest]

I have a 10gal clearseal tank with a thin black plastic hood and I have a fluro light fitted to it. It's never been a problem in terms of plastic melting. Fluro tubes don't really generate heat, not like household light bulbs anyway. I just bought the fittings (clip things) for the tubes, drilled a hole in the top of the lid, and screwed it on. Been like that for a year.

 

[garuf]

I'm guessing if I put a light under the hood it would melt the plastic? It's only a basic clearseal tank and they have the basic plastic hoods, unless there is another way that anyone knows of?

you might find that a light with a reflector will give you no light at all, at 3gallons your well into nano territory and will need allot more light than you think (or at least I'm led to believe) what are your dimensions?

 

[MermaidMel]

I'm guessing if I put a light under the hood it would melt the plastic? It's only a basic clearseal tank and they have the basic plastic hoods, unless there is another way that anyone knows of?

you might find that a light with a reflector will give you no light at all, at 3gallons your well into nano territory and will need allot more light than you think (or at least I'm led to believe) what are your dimensions?

It's 12 x 8 x 8 and just has the one betta male in it. I know they like a plant so I wanted to try and give one, but it's a filtered space, so isn't a total necessity, more so just for his pleasure.

 

[DevUK]

Maybe worth considering some driftwood hiding spots and (dare I say it) some decent plastic plants? Without enough light you're not really going to have much success.

That being said, I have heard of Anubias Nana surviving in very little light. Is the cupboard open or behind doors? Does it get any natural light at all? No way you could re-position the tank to get some daylight?

 

[garuf]

I'm guessing if I put a light under the hood it would melt the plastic? It's only a basic clearseal tank and they have the basic plastic hoods, unless there is another way that anyone knows of?

you might find that a light with a reflector will give you no light at all, at 3gallons your well into nano territory and will need allot more light than you think (or at least I'm led to believe) what are your dimensions?

It's 12 x 8 x 8 and just has the one betta male in it. I know they like a plant so I wanted to try and give one, but it's a filtered space, so isn't a total necessity, more so just for his pleasure.

I'm with you, I'd try and get the a small power compact and make a new hood or just ditch it altogether and go ada then get some anubias and some java moss. TA DA betta paradise

 

[MermaidMel]

There's no natural light in the space I'm afraid and I daren't go lidless in case he jumps!
Making a new hood is an option though, definitely *goes off to investigate*

Thanks guys (anubia, java moss, anubia, java moss... must remember!)

 

[garuf]

and this link
http/www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.p...amp;filter_by=2

 

[MermaidMel]

and this link
http/www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.p...amp;filter_by=2

 

[garuf]

quite by coinsidence I found this passage

If the light level is just enough for you can see the moss in the tank, it is sufficient to support moss growth, though very slowly.

in this web site :http/www.aquamoss.net/

and this shows just what is possible
http/www.killies.com/Truthaboutmosses.htm
hope this helps, ps.
if you can get one cheaply the arcadia arcpod will give you enough light to grow mosses and provide better veiwing of your betta