please, help with hard to keep plants

[BadRoma1]

i have 55 gallon discus tank with temps around 86F. what plants can i get if i get CO2 unit, and what light and what output do i need. i want those small plants that go on the bottom and cn cover all the rocks and gravel if givven what they need. :dive2:

[phanmc]

For most foreground cover plants, you'll need over 2wpg, preferably 3 or higher. So you're looking for a light fixture with around 125-200watts. At 3wpg, you'll be able to have pretty much any plants you want, given CO2 and enough fertilization.

Some foreground plants are dwarf hairgrass, e.tenellus, Hemianthus callitrichoides, and Glossostigma elatinoides. Think you're looking for the latter two, though they don't attach to rocks.

[John N.]

The temperature is not optimal for plant growth, however it can be done. I suggest e.tenellus or dwarf sag.

If you upgrade your lighting, check out ahsupply.com for a 2x55 watt kit (4x55 kit if you are really serious about growing plants fast, and keeping up with CO2 and ferts, you might need this kit if you want to grow low lying plants like glosso).

With upgraded lighting, pressurized CO2 is recommended for 2x55 watt, and a must if it's a 4x55 kit. Ferts for both lighting schemes will be helpful if you are growing additonal plants and plan on a heavily planted tank. Gregwatson.com is the place to go for that.

IF you don't want to upgrade your lighting, then maybe some moss will do.

-John N.