The_Little_One Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Do these plants exist? I'm looking for a few tall growing high-light plants that don't require iron enrichers, etc. I'm aiming for a self-sustaining planted tank. Please advise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Vals, swords an Crypts all fit that bill. If you want them to grow quite tall, add some root tabs under them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Little_One Posted February 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Very interesting. Which get the tallest out of those three? I assume a root tab is some kind of mineral deposit for the plant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubr0ke Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 (edited) oxymoron...but good luck lower your light is my advice. Edited February 29, 2012 by ubr0ke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 How much light do you have? I'm assuming by "low maintance plants" you are reffering to how much pruning they require. Just choose plants like crypts,java fern, vals, swords, etc. Any plant that isn't a stem plant. But having high light can have problems, so I'd recommend reducing the lights unless you really want to get into plants. With high light(and no co2, ferts) you'll be fighting algae issues. It it possible to have a low-medium light low maintnance tank. Having a high light tank is just a little more difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Little_One Posted February 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 I've got two T5HO lights directly above my tank - according to one of the charts on this forum that makes it a high-light tank. I don't mind trimming now and then, but I want to try and find plants that will survive without me messing around with ferts - they can harm my other livestock. (At least that's what I've come to think at present). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epiphany Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 What brand are the lights? Does each bulb have a reflector or is it one reflector for both bulbs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Little_One Posted February 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 I'm really new to all this stuff... The blubs are GE Ecolux High Output, 39W, 6500K. Two fit into my canopy and the canopy has a reflective layer within. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubr0ke Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Try removing one of the bulbs and see if the fixture still works. That should put you at low to Med light. Or raise the fixture 8-10 inches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 2x39watts over a 75g tank isn't high light, thats around 1w/gal You should be fine growing plants like crypts, java fern, vals, anubias, swords, any low/med light plant. Why do you think ferts will hurt your livestock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Little_One Posted February 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 2x39watts over a 75g tank isn't high light, thats around 1w/gal You should be fine growing plants like crypts, java fern, vals, anubias, swords, any low/med light plant. Why do you think ferts will hurt your livestock? Interesting... according to the lighting chart in this forum I've got high-lighting. There is too much conflicting info out there... From what I can tell it's super bright and I think it's roasting nearly everything - and there was a big algae outbreak two days ago as well, so that also leads me to think all the more that it's high-light. I've heard bad things about ferts and inverts - and I'd like to keep things as natural as possible; no additives, chemicals, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckmullin Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 what sort of inverts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubr0ke Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 2x39watts over a 75g tank isn't high light, thats around 1w/gal You should be fine growing plants like crypts, java fern, vals, anubias, swords, any low/med light plant. Why do you think ferts will hurt your livestock? Interesting... according to the lighting chart in this forum I've got high-lighting. There is too much conflicting info out there... From what I can tell it's super bright and I think it's roasting nearly everything - and there was a big algae outbreak two days ago as well, so that also leads me to think all the more that it's high-light. I've heard bad things about ferts and inverts - and I'd like to keep things as natural as possible; no additives, chemicals, etc. The watts per gallon rule doesn't apply to t5ho lighting. The chart was created using a par meter which is a device that measures useable light. As for nutrients, I can assure you that they will not hurt your lifestock but I can understand if thats not the path you want to go on. Your best bet if you want to keep things as low maintenance as possible is to remove one bulb. Light drives demand for co2 and for nutrients. The less light you have the less you need of the latter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewels Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 a few tall growing high-light plants that don't require iron enrichers, etc. Most stem plants fit the bill. Rotala comes to mind. It will enjoy any amount of light you can throw @ it. The same could be said for hygro. difformis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubr0ke Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 (edited) a few tall growing high-light plants that don't require iron enrichers, etc. Most stem plants fit the bill. Rotala comes to mind. It will enjoy any amount of light you can throw @ it. The same could be said for hygro. difformis and both will be covered in algae unless co2/nutrients are added. Edited February 29, 2012 by ubr0ke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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