Is this plan balanced?

[Sharkluver]

I really want some plants for the cockatoo cichlids I will be getting but don't want to worry about dosing CO2. It is a 40 gallon tall tank that will have lots of driftwood. Could I keep 2 pairs of cockatoo cichlids (Tank will be divided) and a rosette sword, anacharis, and Dwarf sagittaria all together. I am worried the cockatoos would not produce enough CO2 for the plants and I'm hoping to breed them so I don't want to put more fish in if I don't have to? Would two 17 watt 24 inch T8 lights be enough light for them or would they be too much and make the plants consume too much CO2. I want them to thrive but not grow very fast after they reach a decent size. Where should I place each of the plants?

 

[Fat Homer]

If you want low maitanence plants go with stuff like Aunbias / Java Fern and Mosses...

Since things like anrachis etc prefer having ferts with med - high light, Co2 is a bonus for them..,

 

[Fat Homer]

I should also mention that you cant really slow down a plants growth perse, all you can do is give them less than what they need in which case the plants may suffer from things such as weak / taller stems with fewer leaves, sparse growth etc...

Infact a lot of times to keep certain plants staying low is to offer more light, ferts etc so they dont need to reach for the light as much while still having energy to grow, but then that becomes a whole different game and venturing into a much more rigorous schedule of fert dosing and maintenance...

 

[Sharkluver]

So I guess I should be asking do I need to add CO2 to this setup or should it be fine?

 

[Fat Homer]

You might get away without Co2, but the right ferts most likey will be needed to keep them happy along with possibly stronger lights...