Vaccum gravel or not? Low light plants

[beviking]

I'm planning on getting some low light plants, mainly Java fern/moss, anubias nana, water sprite and I just have plain gravel. I would like to plant the anubias and Java fern in the gravel. Since these plants can feed from the water column, should I continue with deep gravel vaccuming or just do the surface of the gravel? Other suggested plants that fit the bill are welcome. Thanks.

[BluEyes]

Don't vacuum right around the plants - just kinda swirl the vacuum over the gravel to to stir up any loose sediment. Let the rest settle in - the plants will love it!

Any spots of empty gravel away from the plants you should continue to vacuum.

[fishaddict]

I think Giant Hygros(Hygrophilia) look kinda nice and may do well in low light. Also i like anacharis. It seems to do well in my situation, 40 watts for a 55 gallon. I think its just like a regular fluorescent tube. Im also trying to get this planted tank going.

[125gJoe]

Don't plant the Java Fern in the gravel, but you should tie it to some driftwood. It needs to be on driftwood. It will be better off if it's not in the gravel..

I found more info on here on this website..... Java Ferns (http://www.netpets.com/fish/reference/freshref/javafern2.html)

[beviking]

Thanks for the replies!

I like both also fishaddict.
Thanks for the link 80hJoe. It mentions Jungle's Plant Saver as an electrolite to add to the water if the plant experiences shock. Is this necessary? It doesn't seem so.

[RTR]

Anubias will in general do much, much better planted in the gravel than on driftwood or rocks. It has a strong and well-developed root system. It dislikes having the rhizome planted below the surface of the substrate however - this can cause rot.

Java Fern will do fine substrate-attached, although its holdfasts are not really roots, its nutrient absortion is primarily water column. It can be tricky to keep it from floating without burying its rhizome either, but once established it grows quite well indefinitely on the substrate. It does not need wood or any other particular material, it just needs the rhizome not buried.

I agree with BluEyes' vacuuming technique.