Low maintanace plants?
- Thread starter lthom
- Start date
Java ferns can certaintly be grown in low light and they also don't need to have a good growing media as substrate since they aren't root feeders. Makes fertilizing them easier. Them along with anubias and java moss are good starts for a low light tank. these plants are slow growing and that makes them ideal for low light conditions. As a general rule, stay away from fast growing plants with thin leaves (ie. Cabomba). They usually require lots of light. Good luck.
there are many plants that will work in a low light setup. java fern is one of them.
how tall is your tank? what watt bulb do you have?
if you want lush growth in a low light tank, you might have to fertilize some, particularly potassium and magnesium if the tank water has a decent hardness.
but many will grow slowly or at least survive with next to no maintenance...
to name a few of the more common ones.
hornwort - ceratophyllum demersum
elodea/ancharis - egeria densa
java moss
some cryptocoryne species will maintain in good substrate
valisneria spiralis (seen it as corkscrew val and a couple of others)
... theres a lot more
this is my favorite plant site... they have a lot of specific species, but the genus will give you good ideas of conditions. anything that says 'from low to high' light probably means expect slow growth. Tropica i like the interface.
hope this gets you started. i've had good luck with valisneria in really low light. (<1w/g). its better if you have a taller tank.
eric
how tall is your tank? what watt bulb do you have?
if you want lush growth in a low light tank, you might have to fertilize some, particularly potassium and magnesium if the tank water has a decent hardness.
but many will grow slowly or at least survive with next to no maintenance...
to name a few of the more common ones.
hornwort - ceratophyllum demersum
elodea/ancharis - egeria densa
java moss
some cryptocoryne species will maintain in good substrate
valisneria spiralis (seen it as corkscrew val and a couple of others)
... theres a lot more
this is my favorite plant site... they have a lot of specific species, but the genus will give you good ideas of conditions. anything that says 'from low to high' light probably means expect slow growth. Tropica i like the interface.
hope this gets you started. i've had good luck with valisneria in really low light. (<1w/g). its better if you have a taller tank.
eric
Another good site to look at for plants is www.plantgeek.com. Once you get there click on the plant guide.