Will these plants work?

carttman

carttman

AC Members
Feb 27, 2003
299
1
0
46
Louisiana
Visit site
I have a 29 gallon tank with an all gravel substrate with 38 watts of light. I was wondering if these plants would grow in my tank? Borneo Fern, Bronze Wendth, and Green Hedge. Right now I have Java Fern, Watersprite, Onion Plant, some type of Crypt, and Anacharis. I plant on getting some Hornwort in the next couple of days. Are there any other plants you could recommend to me? Thanks
 
I'm guessing that boreno fern is similar to bolbitis. If so it will probably do okay in medium-low light. But even under ideal conditions they are extremely slow growers and touchy. They grow from a hoizontal rizome and must be tied to a rock or piece of driftwood.

"Bronze Wendti" like all cryptocoryne plants are great for low light tanks. They look great and are virtually indestructable. Even if the larger leaves begin to die off don't remove it, it's not dead. A couple of months later you'll have a fantastic looking plant perfectly acclimatized to your tank. But crypts do require a nutritious substrate. Plain gravel will not cut it. Allow the plant to settle in a couple of weeks then push a couple of fert tabs in near the roots.

As for green hedge, I assume you mean "water hedge" (d. diandra). I grow this in my 10gal with 28Watts.. I'd say on the fringe of what the plant wants becuase it is typically a high light plant. This plant is not suitable for low light tanks. With sufficiently light and CO2 it grows like a weed.

Hope this helps!

-edit-

I noticed you were asking for other suggestions too. Another good low light choice would be Anubias. Any variety will do. I grow Anubias Nana in two of my tanks. Another that I've adored over the past year is called Echinodorus Parviflorus Tropica. It's a gorgeous little plant with lots of texture in the leaves. It does well under all light conditions. Grows by runner and stays small.
 
Last edited:
What kind of fert root tabs should I use, and can I use it on any of my other plants. Right now the only thing I do it is a add Flourish Excel every other day.
 
If your LFS carries Flourish Excel they probably have the Flourish Tabs as well. I have had success with these but other brands do the job too. Just do not use fert tabs made for house plants unless you enjoy the look of an algea infested tank.

Any plant that sends roots into the soil will benefit from fert tabs. Java ferns, crypts and bulbs are obvious. But but even stem plants like the watersprite (wisteria) will root if planted in the substrate. The only two on your list that wont root are the Anacharis and Hornwort. They derive 100% of their nutrients from the water.
 
The only plants that will bloom underwater in low light are anubias. Anacharis and some of the others may bloom on parts that reach the surface. Your fern is a good choice, java fern, java moss, crypts are excellent, anubias is great for low light tanks. Anubias and java fern can be attached to driftwood. Amazon swords do ok in low light but they get huge. I believe things sold as hedges are usually not true aquatic plants. water sprite can be floated or rooted. In a low light tank I'd recommend substrate fertilization, especially for the crypts and if u get swords.
 
No, I haven't had mine bloom. Actually I didn't even know that it does. I may not have helped the cause because it grows so quickly that I keep cutting it back to half the height of my tank.
 
Hygrophilia Polysperma is a serious weed in many parts of the southern US (introduced), and In Asia, where it originates. This is why its illegal in many parts of the US to sell. Thank god not where I come from, because it's a beautiful plant. But it will grow in the most inhospitable conditions, from my experience. I have had it bloom, but only once the plant has reached the top of my tank.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom