what light does java and other low light plants grow in?

[grannylvsfish]

Just wondering.
I am up grading my lights, but want to know what the lowest light will grow java fern,moss and other low light plants.

I am doing a ten gallon tomorrow ( my tank finally came in ) I will be adding the bulbs I have seen several people add to the condensed lighting. ( 2 13w bulbs) I know this will be bright enough to grow low light plants and I will be adding lots of different low light plants as this will be my 2 cory,4 shrimp,3 endler tank , but I am curious to know what the lowest light can grow some plants.

[jpappy789]

I have 20w on my 30 gal. growing java fern, anubias, pennywort, vals, crypts, wisteria...anywhere from 1-3 wpg is the "target range"

[grannylvsfish]

I have 2 15 watt bulbs on my 30 gallon and my java moss looks to be molding, :eek: whats a good fert for this type of moss ?

[jmhart]

What do you mean by molding? If it's growing brown tips, those are roots. Anything else is probably algae.

[grannylvsfish]

What do you mean by molding? If it's growing brown tips, those are roots. Anything else is probably algae.

looking grey on the tips acually. but i did up the lights, and will be getting awsome lights in a few days :)

[Sammie7]

What do you mean by molding? If it's growing brown tips, those are roots. Anything else is probably algae.

Java moss doesn't grow roots...Especially not brown ones on it's tips. The tips should be bright green to whitish from the new growth. If it's collecting gunk it needs to be cleaned out before it starts to rot. Java moss tends to collect all the debris in the tank. It shouldn't really need any ferts, as it's a slow grower and grows well even in low light. If you can, try to get the Compact fluorescent bulbs that are in the daylight/whitish range instead of the soft white/ yellowish range. Good luck. :)

Oh and I have 2 10 watt bulbs over both of my 10 gallon tanks if you want ideas, the plants are in my sig.

[grannylvsfish]

Java moss doesn't grow roots...Especially not brown ones on it's tips. The tips should be bright green to whitish from the new growth. If it's collecting gunk it needs to be cleaned out before it starts to rot. Java moss tends to collect all the debris in the tank. It shouldn't really need any ferts, as it's a slow grower and grows well even in low light. If you can, try to get the Compact fluorescent bulbs that are in the daylight/whitish range instead of the soft white/ yellowish range. Good luck. :)

Oh and I have 2 10 watt bulbsover both of my 10 gallon tanks, the plants are in my sig.

Thanks :) i also ordered better lights yesterday, and driftwood to put it on since its free floating right now.

[jmhart]

Java moss doesn't grow roots...Especially not brown ones on it's tips. The tips should be bright green to whitish from the new growth. If it's collecting gunk it needs to be cleaned out before it starts to rot. Java moss tends to collect all the debris in the tank. It shouldn't really need any ferts, as it's a slow grower and grows well even in low light. If you can, try to get the Compact fluorescent bulbs that are in the daylight/whitish range instead of the soft white/ yellowish range. Good luck. :)

Oh and I have 2 10 watt bulbs over both of my 10 gallon tanks if you want ideas, the plants are in my sig.

Roots was kind of a strong word, but it does grow "roots" to attach to whatever(driftwood, rocks, mesh...whatever).