Real,artificial Or No Plants At All

[bitteraspects]

No offense but I think fish actually produce those things. I've had quite nice java moss and ferns with no CO2, just a bunch of fish and low lights.

Exactly. The detritus in the tank provides the food for your plants. This includes fish waste and fish food. Low light plants do not require any additional supplementing beyond the ammonia and nitrate created by your fish. (this is not to say that they could not benefit from additional supplements or Co2, only that they absolutely do not need it).
plants like Anubias, Crypts, ferns, watersprite, sag, and many other plants (I can get a list of you like) will be just fine in 1-2WPG. While mosses will grow in less than that. All with no additional fertilizers, micronutrients, or Co2.

here are a couple of examples. I'm posting from my phone, so its a pain to post links, but I can probably get more when I get home.

Plain sand substrate
Standard t8 light
No Co2
No Ferts

plain sand and aquarium gravel substrate
Standard strip lights
No Co2
No ferts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbQWMnE2a6E

 

[Nick16]

but your vallis looks like its missing the tips and your moss looks more brown.
how fast does your vallis grow by the way. i got fed up of mine, it was like a weed. it was growing about an inch a day, and sending out runners so quickly. in then end i probably binned a good bucket full (10L). see my journal.

your sand looks very clean so by the looks of it you dont let detritus build up, so the plants arent going to obtain much nutrients. i hate dirty looking sand
i would like to see a 2WPG tank (not a tiny nano thing) with no ferts and co2. you can do it with 1WPG but not 2. it just become such a waste of lighting.

But not enough in tanks with medium-high light

exactly, supplements are needed. a good nutritious substrate is hugely beneficial.

 

[craigieboy01]

Hi all, I'm defo looking to put live plants in my Edge when its Cycled, do i just put them right into my sand substrate? Will they stay in or do i need to weight them down?

 

[bitteraspects]

Much like with the lighting, it will depend on what plants you intend to grow..some plants can simply be stick into the sand while others are better suited for rooting to rocks or driftwood.

 

[craigieboy01]

Thanks bitteraspects, I will ask lfs before I buy them to find out whats best for plants.

No offense but I think fish actually produce those things. I've had quite nice java moss and ferns with no CO2, just a bunch of fish and low lights.

Exactly. The detritus in the tank provides the food for your plants. This includes fish waste and fish food. Low light plants do not require any additional supplementing beyond the ammonia and nitrate created by your fish. (this is not to say that they could not benefit from additional supplements or Co2, only that they absolutely do not need it).
plants like Anubias, Crypts, ferns, watersprite, sag, and many other plants (I can get a list of you like) will be just fine in 1-2WPG. While mosses will grow in less than that. All with no additional fertilizers, micronutrients, or Co2.

here are a couple of examples. I'm posting from my phone, so its a pain to post links, but I can probably get more when I get home.

Plain sand substrate
Standard t8 light
No Co2
No Ferts

plain sand and aquarium gravel substrate
Standard strip lights
No Co2
No ferts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbQWMnE2a6E

P.s I think your tank and your plants look great... Even with a camera phone

 

[bitteraspects]

that's not my tank. And now I see the other pictures didn't link either.
I'm simply posting from my phone. I didn't take the picture with it. Lol.

 

[craigieboy01]

that's not my tank. And now I see the other pictures didn't link either.
I'm simply posting from my phone. I didn't take the picture with it. Lol.

Hahaha!!!

 

[Loops]

Lol, thats my boyfriends tank before he rescaped it

 

[bitteraspects]

Hahaha. Nice.
One of many great examples of low light/ low tech applications.

 

[craigieboy01]

Obviously my Fluval Edge is very small at 23 litres, I will probs only have about 4 or 5 plants in there as well us some other stones and decor, will i need to add a supplement to keep the plants healthy?

 

[waterdrop]

If you're in the UK a very small (but figured out and measured) bit of liquid carbon and TPN+ could not hurt in my opinion. When the time comes the plant guys can help you figure this out. WD

 

[craigieboy01]

If you're in the UK a very small (but figured out and measured) bit of liquid carbon and TPN+ could not hurt in my opinion. When the time comes the plant guys can help you figure this out. WD

Thanks Waterdrop, Is TPN+ short for something? I will be no doubt be asking more questions about plant stocking when its nearer the time. Yes i stay in the UK.

 

[waterdrop]

Tropica (the euro planted tank plant specialist all USA members wish we had) makes it and I believe it stands for Tropical Plant Nutrition Plus. Its an all in one liquid fertilizer that can be used in conjunction with pressurized CO2 or liquid carbon.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[craigieboy01]

Tropica (the euro planted tank plant specialist all USA members wish we had) makes it and I believe it stands for Tropical Plant Nutrition Plus. Its an all in one liquid fertilizer that can be used in conjunction with pressurized CO2 or liquid carbon.

~~waterdrop~~

Thanks for the help Waterdrop i will keep some notes for tips.

 

[bitteraspects]

youd be surprised what you can accomplish with a Fluval Edge