40 par substrate foreground plant

plantastic37 · 01-19-2013, 02:47 PM

I now have 40 par at my substrate and I am dosing Co2. What would be an easy foreground plant beside pygmy chain sword?

I was doing pygmy chain sword because I was told previously it was the only plant that would work. It grows rather tall and not really suited to my taste.

I have ecocomplete for substrate (happy to replace if necessary).

plantastic37 · 01-20-2013, 09:18 PM

Just a friendly bump to see what you all recommend.

whiteblaze 27 · 01-21-2013, 01:47 AM

i am actually wondering the same thing so i hope you get some replies.(my PAR is 38)

82nd_Airborne · 01-21-2013, 01:57 AM

I am currently growing dwarf hair grass at approximately 45 par with no co2 and minimal fertilization. Its propagating nicely.

funkman262 · 01-21-2013, 02:03 AM

Marsilea species are great for low-light tanks. I have Marsilea hirsuta in my 90g and it's growing pretty quickly directly under 2T5HO in the front (although I have another 2T5HO in the back). As the PUR intensity decreases, it'll just grow slower, probably a little taller, and may have multiple leaves (mine are growing just one leaf).

plantastic37 · 01-21-2013, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkman262

Marsilea species are great for low-light tanks. I have Marsilea hirsuta in my 90g and it's growing pretty quickly directly under 2T5HO in the front (although I have another 2T5HO in the back). As the PUR intensity decreases, it'll just grow slower, probably a little taller, and may have multiple leaves (mine are growing just one leaf).

Since when is 40 par low light?

plantastic37 · 01-21-2013, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82nd_Airborne

I am currently growing dwarf hair grass at approximately 45 par with no co2 and minimal fertilization. Its propagating nicely.

I wish I could do hairgrass but I have eco complete and dont want to replace the substrate for fear of accidentally killing my prized fish

funkman262 · 01-21-2013, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plantastic37

Since when is 40 par low light?

Sorry, wasn't paying too much too the PAR value; guess the wording in the OP made me assume the light was low causing the chain sword to grow taller than expected (also the fact that you were told it was the only plant that would work...).

EDIT: Also, is that 40 PAR value actually measured or just pulled from a chart based on your lighting fixture and depth?

Overgrowth · 01-21-2013, 03:25 AM

You can actually grow HC with 40 PAR. It might not grow as fast or as compact as you like, but it will definitely grow. I have a 10 gallon that's lighted with two 13w CFLs. It's low-light and I have no CO2, but my HC grows medium-slow in it.

82nd_Airborne · 01-21-2013, 04:13 AM

I'm growing my dhg in eco complete. You could also do micro swords.

plantastic37 · 01-21-2013, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkman262

Sorry, wasn't paying too much too the PAR value; guess the wording in the OP made me assume the light was low causing the chain sword to grow taller than expected (also the fact that you were told it was the only plant that would work...).

EDIT: Also, is that 40 PAR value actually measured or just pulled from a chart based on your lighting fixture and depth?

No it is not actually measured. This is a fugeray 12" fixture. The data is from the company but if I remember right others here have measured it and have found the results to be the same as their chart.

funkman262 · 01-21-2013, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plantastic37

I have the fuge and it is considered medium light I suppose although judging by the growth of my pygmy chain swords I would say low light as quite a few of the leaves shoot out 6" up into the tank from the bottom.

Based on your own assessment, it seems that you agree with me that you may need some lower-light carpeting plants. Whether low- or high-light, I would still recommend Marsilea. It's easy maintenance and makes a really nice carpet. But I also agree with Overgrowth that HC should work for you as well.

plantastic37 · 01-21-2013, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkman262

Based on your own assessment, it seems that you agree with me that you may need some lower-light carpeting plants. Whether low- or high-light, I would still recommend Marsilea. It's easy maintenance and makes a really nice carpet. But I also agree with Overgrowth that HC should work for you as well.

Yeah definitely. If its medium light then why are the swords growing so long.

I think I will have to persue higher light some how. There does not seem to be a lot of options for my tank. I have an aqueon evolve 8.

Thanks for your suggestion and help!

funkman262 · 01-22-2013, 01:50 AM

Here's a possible mod. You could probably just leave the stock LEDs in the middle and supplement with a CFL on each side.

plantastic37 · 01-22-2013, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkman262

Here's a possible mod. You could probably just leave the stock LEDs in the middle and supplement with a CFL on each side.

Yeah I saw that. Would love to know what the par is on those.

01-19-2013, 02:47 PM	#1
plantastic37 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 138	40 par substrate foreground plant I now have 40 par at my substrate and I am dosing Co2. What would be an easy foreground plant beside pygmy chain sword? I was doing pygmy chain sword because I was told previously it was the only plant that would work. It grows rather tall and not really suited to my taste. I have ecocomplete for substrate (happy to replace if necessary).

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01-20-2013, 09:18 PM	#2
plantastic37 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 138	Just a friendly bump to see what you all recommend.

01-21-2013, 01:47 AM	#3
whiteblaze 27 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 193	i am actually wondering the same thing so i hope you get some replies.(my PAR is 38)

01-21-2013, 01:57 AM	#4
82nd_Airborne Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 197	I am currently growing dwarf hair grass at approximately 45 par with no co2 and minimal fertilization. Its propagating nicely.

01-21-2013, 02:03 AM	#5
funkman262 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 124	Marsilea species are great for low-light tanks. I have Marsilea hirsuta in my 90g and it's growing pretty quickly directly under 2T5HO in the front (although I have another 2T5HO in the back). As the PUR intensity decreases, it'll just grow slower, probably a little taller, and may have multiple leaves (mine are growing just one leaf).

01-21-2013, 03:25 AM	#9
Overgrowth Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 958	You can actually grow HC with 40 PAR. It might not grow as fast or as compact as you like, but it will definitely grow. I have a 10 gallon that's lighted with two 13w CFLs. It's low-light and I have no CO2, but my HC grows medium-slow in it.

01-21-2013, 04:13 AM	#10
82nd_Airborne Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 197	I'm growing my dhg in eco complete. You could also do micro swords.

01-22-2013, 01:50 AM	#14
funkman262 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 124	Here's a possible mod. You could probably just leave the stock LEDs in the middle and supplement with a CFL on each side.