what are some fast growing low light/tech plants?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I would stick with getting a single amazon sword plant (assuming you have at least a 55gal tank). A tank smaller than that will be taken over by the sword in 6 months. My amazon's diameter spans probably 20 inches or more, and is about that tall too. You'll also need some sort of substrate fertilizer for it (such as root tabs, cheap brand is usually fine) and a liquid iron supplement. They are very heavy root-feeders.

Water sprite and wisteria are just about the same plant, with different leaf structure. I would stick with one or the other. You should be well taken care of, with the amount I shipped to you.

Keep in mind, that bulbitis, java fern, and anubias species cannot be burried in the substrate. They will simply rot away. These must be 'attached' to driftwood, bigger rocks, other decor, or anything to allow the roots un-obscured access to water. Once growing, they will anchor themselves to the object, and wrap their roots around it. Methods for holding in place, until attached include: 'pinching' the plant in a fork in the driftwood, tieing in place (loosely) with zip-ties, and using aquarium-safe epoxy. So, unless you have alot of decor to attach to, I'd go easy with just a few plants from each of those species.

I also sent you some ludwigia brevipes. In my tank, it starts a green color, and turns red then darker red as it gets closer to the surface/light. Depending on your lighting (I assume stock), it may return to a shade of green and not turn red again.

What size tank(s) did you have?
What kind of lighting (bulbs, length, wattage)?
 
evercl92;530095; said:
I would stick with getting a single amazon sword plant (assuming you have at least a 55gal tank). A tank smaller than that will be taken over by the sword in 6 months. My amazon's diameter spans probably 20 inches or more, and is about that tall too. You'll also need some sort of substrate fertilizer for it (such as root tabs, cheap brand is usually fine) and a liquid iron supplement. They are very heavy root-feeders.

Water sprite and wisteria are just about the same plant, with different leaf structure. I would stick with one or the other. You should be well taken care of, with the amount I shipped to you.

Keep in mind, that bulbitis, java fern, and anubias species cannot be burried in the substrate. They will simply rot away. These must be 'attached' to driftwood, bigger rocks, other decor, or anything to allow the roots un-obscured access to water. Once growing, they will anchor themselves to the object, and wrap their roots around it. Methods for holding in place, until attached include: 'pinching' the plant in a fork in the driftwood, tieing in place (loosely) with zip-ties, and using aquarium-safe epoxy. So, unless you have alot of decor to attach to, I'd go easy with just a few plants from each of those species.

I also sent you some ludwigia brevipes. In my tank, it starts a green color, and turns red then darker red as it gets closer to the surface/light. Depending on your lighting (I assume stock), it may return to a shade of green and not turn red again.

What size tank(s) did you have?
What kind of lighting (bulbs, length, wattage)?

Ouch, I have 6 little tiny amazon swords I just planted in my tank, but if they get too overgrown, I will take some of them out and put them in my other tank. Since I won't be using any plant fertilizer or iron supplement, I'm hoping that the swords will grow slower. All I'm using is Flourite for my substrate. I'll be putting all of the plants you're sending me into my 55gal and when I pick up my 20gal long this weekend, I'll transfer them over as soon as I set it up that night.

Did you ship me both wisteria and water sprite? If not, I may get some water sprite just to have a variety of different types of leaves...especially since they are tall growing plants.

I know about the java fern, anubias, and bulbitus and the driftwood. I have 3 big pieces of driftwood that essentially covers my "floor" as well as 3 smaller pieces to attach plants to.

That Ludwigia species sounds nice!! Thanks again man!

55gal (48x12.5x21) with a double strip light (40w + 40w) that's 48" long which is like 1.45wpg
20gal Long (30x12x12) with a 30" strip light (20 or 25watts I forget) which will give me a minimum of 1.0wpg

and later on, I'll be purchasing a 33gal (48x12.5x13) that I'll be putting my 48" single strip light on which will give me 1.2 wpg

I can't tell you how helpful you've been man. Thanks a lot!!

Brian
 
Flourite is very rich in iron. That's perfect for the swords. You prob wont even need root tabs.

I only shipped wisteria, I don't have any watersprite.

That's a fair amount of wattage on the 55, should do pretty decent. When I had my 55gal setup, I had two 48inch shop lights from walmart setup. Each held two 40wt bulbs, giving my 160wt total. The fixtures were $9 each, bulbs were $7. Under $50 for alot of lighting. I didn't get the growth I do now (with CF lights) but it was impressive none the less. With as much lighting as I had, I pretty much had to supplement CO2, and at that time used Flourish Excel. If you decide to get only one type of fertilizer, Excel is prob the most beneficial.

I eagerly await pics when you get it planted...
 
evercl92;530239; said:
Flourite is very rich in iron. That's perfect for the swords. You prob wont even need root tabs.

I only shipped wisteria, I don't have any watersprite.

That's a fair amount of wattage on the 55, should do pretty decent. When I had my 55gal setup, I had two 48inch shop lights from walmart setup. Each held two 40wt bulbs, giving my 160wt total. The fixtures were $9 each, bulbs were $7. Under $50 for alot of lighting. I didn't get the growth I do now (with CF lights) but it was impressive none the less. With as much lighting as I had, I pretty much had to supplement CO2, and at that time used Flourish Excel. If you decide to get only one type of fertilizer, Excel is prob the most beneficial.

I eagerly await pics when you get it planted...

great to hear about the Flourite!! Flourish Excel huh? Is it just a liquid based formula you can add to the water? I take it that those CO2 dissolving tablets don't work huh?

I will certainly post pics of my 55gal as soon as I get those anacharis in the mail!!! To tell you the truth, the tank looks pretty nice even with these little swords. The "green" effect really brightens up my tank since it only had Flourite and 2 of my 3 driftwood pieces in it. Screw it! Here is a pic of my tank 10hrs after I filled it up and got the filters running and another pic with my 2 mopani driftwood pieces and my 6 swords! Enjoy!

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upyun;530249; said:
great to hear about the Flourite!! Flourish Excel huh? Is it just a liquid based formula you can add to the water? I take it that those CO2 dissolving tablets don't work huh?

The tabs work, partially. I have used both the tabs and excel, and I think excel did a better job. It's basically a liquid carbon source for the plants. It can get a bit expensive though, if you dose it like you should. I eventually moved to DIY sugar/yeast 2L bottles for CO2 production. (if you want details on setup, let me know). Tomorrow, I'm trying my hand at a pressurized CO2 setup, that I got a great deal on.
 
I got a few Java Ferns today so I thought I would post a few quick shots.

Tim - I'm using Mopani Driftwood pieces. I'm having a bit of white fungal growth, but I've heard the Otos love it, so I may pick up a few of those this weekend. Also thank you for letting me know about the Amazons on the far right (I have one in front and one in the back). I'm always looking for suggestions and comments, so thank you. I'll probably keep them there until this saturday when I can transfer them to my 20gal. :)

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evercl92;532747; said:
Looks nice. I'm liking the java fern placement.

Thanks Tim. I will probably get your package today and put them in the tank tonite!
 
Hey Tim! I got your package and I can't say thank you enough man! My 55gal looks like a jungle now!! I picked up 2 Leopard Ctenopomas and 6 Blue Tetras for the 55gal and I got another 6 danios and a Golden Wonder Killie for the new acquired 20gal long. Everyone is happy and eating! I may pick up a few more plants for the 20gal since I don't want to disturb my 55gal!! The scenery is just too nice!!
 
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