Keeping the bottom of tall plants healthy

[red devil]

A few years ago, I took my plunge in plants with a small aquarium. I put anacharis in the back of a 14" tall tank and was pretty successful with it without CO2, extra lighting, etc. The tank had minimal lighting, a short yellow fluorescent bulb. The only problem that I had is that the leaves on the bottom fifth of the plant soon dropped off. The healthy growth in the top seem to cut off the light to the bottom. I am making a plan for a 24" tall tank and am wondering if there is some way to avoid this. I am hoping to use CO2 in this tank and appropriate lighting. Any suggestions?

 

[SnakeIce]

Not really, most aquarium plant layouts take that into consideration and use the midground plants to hide the ugly parts of the background stems. Some stem plants are worse about that than others, but it is just something to consider when you make the arrangement of plants.

 

[fishorama]

IME anacharis is not as easy to grow as many other stem plants. It like cooler temps. But any stem may grow bushy enough to shade their bottoms. That's a part of aquatic gardening...as is trimming off & removing the ugly bottoms, & replanting the pretty tops.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Amen on the anacharis. I've never been able to grow that in a tropical fish tank.

A 24" tall tank will take some doing in terms of lighting and the plants you choose

 

[tanker]

Hello Red Devil, have not seen you here in a while (maybe it was just me). Most stem plants have this issue, unless you have strong lights. I too agree with all, Anacharis is not that easy to grow in an aquarium--too warm, not enough lights, ect.
The CO2 is nice, but without enough light stem plants will always look bad near the base.