Foreground plant for low light tank

[lwm999]

I only have 60W for my 3 ft tank, and have no intention to add more light.
It has CO2 and the fauna/flora are fine.

I have tried E. tenellus, Chain Sword as foreground plant, but they have been growing tall (> 20 cm). I think it might be due to the low light condition.

Could you kindly advise on good choice of foreground plants? Will lack of nutrients cause the plants to grow taller than normal?

Thanks.

[grey_fox]

E. Tenellus won't grow up to 20cm. Maybe chain swords. As stated by TROPICA, E. Tenellus grows up to a max of 10cm.

http://www.tropica.com/productcard.asp?id=067

Aslo, I believe it can survive in low light as well, just that the leaves won't turn copper red.

[bclee]

E. tenellus will grow up to 20cm. They will grow shorter and smaller if you take out the CO2 injection.

I can't really think of any other plants that can fit into that low light. Hair grass may be the other alternative, but they grow tall too and they will grow very slowly under those lights. Maybe you can try C. parva but beware that they really test your patience in terms of growth rate.

BC

[grey_fox]

E. tenellus will grow up to 20cm. They will grow shorter and smaller if you take out the CO2 injection.

I can't really think of any other plants that can fit into that low light. Hair grass may be the other alternative, but they grow tall too and they will grow very slowly under those lights. Maybe you can try C. parva but beware that they really test your patience in terms of growth rate.

BC

Serious? My tank is a CO2 injected tank think the biggest Tenellus is have is about 10 cm (in height) with a few strings (about 4) of runners coming from this parent plant. Never seen a 20+ cm tenellus before. Nonetheless, maybe mine will grow to that size in time perhaps.

Yup agree with BC Lee that HG is another alternative.

[lwm999]

Thanks for your advice. Will look for some Cryptocoryne parva and maybe hairgrass to try out.

[joe]

with your low light, parva will probably never grow ... serious

[StanChung]

moss...tie on glass strips. favourites are weeping, taiwan...nice lawn

[Justikanz]

You can use moss... or APP (Elatine triandra....

[vinz]

Moss on mesh or pebbles.

Cryptocoryne walkeri too... but it's a little tall at about 10 cm. If you plant them at least 2 inches away from the front glass, they should look fine though. As long as they don't start pressing up against the glass.

[anaconda]

Why dont you try Downoi?

Got downois in a tank with zero co2, zero ferts, low light . Its growing and splitting out new shoots quite well. Doesnt grow tall and looks damm good. Its planted near a monster root though but if you have base fert it should work for you too

[ms]

Hi,
What is a Downoi?
Do you have pictures or link to see the plant?

Thanks.

MS

[|squee|]

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/...ttle_Star.html

[e-mini]

mayb can try erect moss as foreground.

[richietay]

erect moss require high lighting to florish...

btw ur erect moss foreground looks fantastic

[lwm999]

Wah, so many suggestions Thanks to all of you.

A quick summary:
Cryptocoryne parva (needs high light)
Cryptocoryne walkeri
Hairgrass
Moss on xxx
APP
Downoi

Will check on these and see which one more suitable.

[anaconda]

mayb can try erect moss as foreground.

Have you faced any problem with your erect moss after you cut them?

I used to have erect moss but after harvesting them and retying the 2nd time they grew, they suffered from erectile dysfuncitonal. Ended up looking like java moss