Need plant suggestions for unfiltered vase/bowl

K

Kestra

Ninja Accountant
Aug 5, 2009
3
0
0
Grand Rapids, MI
Hi, everyone!

Ok, here's the deal. A very well-meaning, but misguided friend sent me one of those betta setups where the fish is in a large vase topped with a live peace lily. Now, I know that's a BAD IDEA, and I immediately got Bobby the Betta into real tank. (I didn't name him, btw. The delivery woman did, and it just kind of stuck.) Bobby's doing just fine, and having a lot of fun chasing shrimp around his new castle.

The thing is, I still have this big, beautiful vase with a peace lily on top, and I want to put an aquatic plant in the bottom and take it back to work. The only lighting I have there is the ceiling fluorescents. I will not be allowed to put in supplemental lights or any other equipment. (Can't have a coffeemaker, either, darn it!) I'm relatively new to the whole planted tank thing, and I'm not sure what plants might work. Anyone have any ideas? Am I doomed to plastic plants as my only option?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Kes
 
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I would try some java moss. Java moss tends to do very well in low light.

I also think it would provide a nice contrast to the large-leaved peace lily.
 
Anubias, on a bit of driftwood or rock? Or both, the rock to hold the wood from drifting?

Alt: a small marino ball. The round vs. the straight stems might be nice. :)
 
Thank you everyone! Those are great suggestions!

I was leaning towards a combo of a java fern (because the vase is very tall) and java moss (to cover the substrate and provide contrast), but I just wasn't sure they would be alright without filters or water changes. And I've been researching plants on the internet, but the stated light requirements vary so much, I'm not sure what is correct. I've seen both of those plants listed as minimal to very low light, but I've also seen them listed as low to moderate. Although I know it is a real possibility, I'd like to avoid coming into work on a Monday to a pile of slimy dead plants in the bottom of my vase.
 
I'd lean more towards anubias nana... my java moss was in a tank with only ambient 24w lighting from tanks 1 foot away and partially open blinds from across a living room. And it looks like it's on it's way out. If you have the peace lily on top of the vase, this will put the bottom into shade, right? Do you have any under-shelf florescent lighting? That'd put the light a little closer to the bottom of the vase.

You'd want to change the water for the health of the peace lily... perhaps 30-50% change weekly?

I figure it'll be okay without a filter, as you're not putting any fish food/detritus in the tank.

Good luck!
 
This was another part I was concerned about - how to keep the peace lily happy. I thought that as long as I kept the water level up and maybe added an occasional dose of fertilizer, it might be ok. I know I'm probably going to need some kind of algaecide to keep the water from going green, but water changes are going to be problematic. The vase is maybe a little over 2g (read "kinda heavy and awkward"). I work on the second floor, and the big sinks are down in the basement. There is an elevator, but it's still a long way from my office and from the kitchen. I barely got the full vase safely out to my car, and I do not look forward to hauling it up and down stairs every week.

As far as the undershelf lighting goes, I've only been on this job a couple of weeks now - which is why my friend sent me this present - and I have to admit I'm not sure exactly what all I've got, except for a LOT of papers that must NOT get wet!

Maybe this just isn't going to work.

Kes
 
I gotta say +1 on the java fern! Slow grower and great without filtration. Will help keep column cleaner. Good luck with your endeavors!

-Aaron
 
It can be a little tricky but it can be done.

If you could do water changes I'd recommend some snails and shrimp in the vase as a good fit. Personally I'd put Malaysian Trumpet Snails in the vase regardless. They will eat any leaves/roots that die and control algae growth. They are tough little buggers and pretty as well.

If set up properly, you can go 3 months between a 75% water change in my opinion. You will need to use DI or distilled water to top off the vase in between water changes. You will also need to add in some fertilizer at least monthly or maybe more depending upon amount of light the vase gets. You should order in some dry aquarium ferts that do not have ammonium in the mix and dose monthly.

If you only have plants in the tank you can also use a dilute Miracle grow solution. I'd mix up a 1:200 solution (1 teaspoon per liter) and then add in around a 1/4 teaspoon a couple times a week. Very weak more frequent fertilization is best when dealing with ammonium based ferts.

As for the choice of plants... tough one it all depends upon the lighting amount. You may have to try out some different species to see what works and what looks good with the roots hanging down above it.
 
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