Fully Planted Low-Light Tank?

Riso-chan

The Blue Girl
Jan 17, 2005
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Florida, USA
Is the above mentioned possible? A low-light tank fully planted? I think I'd like to try it. These are the plants I'm considering; java moss, java ferns(3 types), crypts, and guppy grass. BTW, I haven't been able to find much info on guppy grass, does anyone else know anything about it? Appearance, needs, etc. I'll include a pic, which may or may not be low light, that looks something like what I'd like to have in a low light setting. Aquascaping has hooked my interest, and I really want to improve mine to make an impression like the tank below does. Let me in on any info that might be useful, thanx
 
Never heard of guppy-grass, but the others are all low-lighters. You can also add Anubius in this catagory also.
Remember that low light means they can take low light but do better in brighter light.
Good luck.

PS--That is a very small picture, and I do not have young eyes.
 
Any bright bright green ,red or white growing plants need very bright light around 4 or higher watt per gallon for 11 hours per day is the rule of thumb.

Beautiful tanks have been achieved under low light. Arizona Aquatic sells a planted tank package for lower light aquariums, and have an example of one. ts super and can be done. :)
 
I have a low light tank that I am taking down in the next week or so. I have 30 watts on a 20 gallon tank and find that to be just bairly enough to grow plants period. if you use cheap plant light bulbs don't use them more than 6 months or your plants stop growing ime.

One thing to consider is that with low light like this you have to buy enough plants to mostly fill it in right away as the growth won't fill it in fast enough to make it look good anytime soon. if you go with slightly more light, say 2 wpg you can still have that low light tank but have alittle more growth from the plants and not have to get quite as many.

I started my 20 filled in with hygrophilia for something to use nutrients while the slow crypts and java moss/fern got going and took up the space that I put that stem plant in.
 
Here's a pic of my old 55g low-light(1.5wpg) relatively, fully planted. DIY Co2 injection w/flourish excel and a fairly heavy bioload. The tank has since become a cichlid tank, however. This pic is about 3yrs old.
 
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