Lake plant light requirements?

Jag1980

Got Plants?
Aug 18, 2008
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Marysville, Wa
I was thinking about setting up a 10 gallon tank with a standard cheap light strip and Top Soil as substrate.
What are the light requirements for local lake plants?

I already have a 10 gallon tank, light strip and Bio-Wheel mini filter and wanted to test out the Soil substrate method. No Fish

I might try river plants and try to breed some Amano shrimp or something?
Any ideas?
 
The light requirements will depend on the type of plants. Do you have any names of the plants your thinking about adding? Breeding Amano shrimp will be impossible, as far as I know, without having 2 tanks. They require brackish water for the larvae, if I remember correctly.
 
I agree with BradH. Other shrimp species such as red cherries, crystal reds, bumblebees, and ghosts will breed in freshwater, so they may be better choices.

Post pictures of some of the plants and we may be able to help more.
 
It really depends on the species of plants. If you find some truly aquatic plants, not bog plants, somebody on here can identify it for you and from there you'll be able to figure out the light requirements.

Alternatively, you can just assume all plants will be happy in 2 wpg and go from there.


Also, Amanos are the most difficult shrimp to breed. I have done quite a bit of reading on the internet, and have come across no successful breeding attempts. At best, females have released eggs, and that was it.

One article I read suggested that the females release the eggs in a river, which leads to the ocean. The eggs encounter various degrees of brine, and finally become wigglers in brackish waters. They then swim back upstream, molting along the way. Point is, simulating the breeding conditions in captivity is difficult.

If you want to try a, somewhat, difficult shrimp, try some CRS. I think you'll find them rewarding.
 
I might try some Crystal Red Shrimp if I can find some, I haven't read up on them yet, are they pure freshwater?

I have no idea what plants are even in my area, I haven't looked yet but will be interesting to see what I can find.

The light strip I have for the 10 gallon tank is only 15 watts...
Think that might work out? upgrading is not a option for this tank.

I will be sure to post pictures of the plants I get.
The night time temps are about 38*f now so I'm not sure how well the plants are doing or how well they will adapt to a warmer tank?
 
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