[bravofleet4]

Hi,

I'm a plant noob and what I'm looking for is a plant package that would do well for my low-tech 10 gallon tank. I have a fluorite bed about 1 1/2 inches, 78 C temp water, and 18 W lighting. I am hoping for plants that will not grow too fast to require maintenance and at the same time outcompete algae. I am planning on getting driftwood and some rocks soon.

 

[boink]

hey i can send you a big batch of plants have i have cut:

hygrophilia polysperma 10+ stems
rotala rotund. 20+ stems
dwarf sag 10+ plantlets
some anubias

 

[Boz]

That's so nice of you, boink!

 

[bravofleet4]

doesn't hydrophilia and rotala rotund require at least medium to high lighting?

i am going around 1.5 W per gallon

 

[mrbelvedere]

Get more light. If you intend to stay withthe hobby you will anyway.

 

[James From Cali]

doesn't hydrophilia and rotala rotund require at least medium to high lighting?

i am going around 1.5 W per gallon

Im growing Sunset Hygro and Rotal Rotundifolia in 1.5 wpg. The rotala was 2 inches below the water line about a week ago and now its just at the water line.

Get more light. If you intend to stay withthe hobby you will anyway.

Yes and No. This is a mixed statement IMHO. If you want fast results and pruning every week then More light is definitely for you. But if not then you can go low light/low tech. Keeping it simple and also dont have to worry about pruning everyweek. It just takes longer to have things grow.

Hope your tank comes out nice

 

[Finch_man]

It takes a long time even for a high light with out co2 but with 1.5 watts per gallon it takes years to grow!!!! lol

 

[James From Cali]

It takes a long time even for a high light with out co2 but with 1.5 watts per gallon it takes years to grow!!!! lol

Its a waiting game but I been noticing fast growth in my Rotala and my Petite nana. I had gotten 2 New leaves on my Petite nana in the last week and I think another is on its way. The rotala had little branching stems a week ago and they are about 2-4 inches now.

 

[Finch_man]

If you think thats fast try high light and co2!! POW !!! Man it fast!!

 

[James From Cali]

If you think thats fast try high light and co2!! POW !!! Man it fast!!

Well fast for low light, DIY CO2(that I doubt is working lol), and Ferts.

 

[Finch_man]

Hey James you should look on craigslist.com for good deals on aquarium light!!! They always have good deals in California!!!

 

[epicfish]

To get your tank to fill out nicely in a short amount of time, I'd upgrade your lighting. Plus, it gives you the flexibility to grow a large variety of plants as you get more involved in the hobby.

James, my rotala grows close to 7" a week with 5WPG + pressurized CO2. Fast is relative. You believe you have "explosive" growth when you step from no CO2 to DIY CO2...but is that growth fast compared to going from DIY to pressurized?

 

[epicfish]

Hey James you should look on craigslist.com for good deals on aquarium light!!! They always have good deals in California!!!

It's hard to find 20" fixtures in general...I've tried.

 

[James From Cali]

Hey James you should look on craigslist.com for good deals on aquarium light!!! They always have good deals in California!!!

Tried that and nothing.

James, my rotala grows close to 7" a week with 5WPG + pressurized CO2. Fast is relative. You believe you have "explosive" growth when you step from no CO2 to DIY CO2...but is that growth fast compared to going from DIY to pressurized?:icon_wink

I cant wait to see. I am slowly saving for upgrades :icon_wink . Its just fast for me lol.

It's hard to find 20" fixtures in general...I've tried.:icon_frow

Agreed :icon_frow

 

[Finch_man]

Don't matter I have a 65 watts coralife over a ten gallon... Or you could aways hang it!!

 

[epicfish]

Heh. I hate the light spillage.

I have a 2x36w Finnex fixture for my 10 gallon planted and a 3x36w Finnex for my 10 gallon SW.