Low Light Plants?

joeyg2100

AC Members
Oct 31, 2005
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I have a freshwater puffer that needs low light levels. I am wanting to get a good planted tank going also. I have been experimenting with some plants so far all I can get to grow in the tank is Java ferns.
Here is a list of plants that I want to get:

Hornwort
Becketti
Some kind of Crypt
Brazilian Elodea
Star Grass
More Jave fern
Downoi
Jungle Val/Giant Val

It is a 30 gallong freshwater tank that is kept between 80-82; ph of 7.5

Any info will help, along with any recomendations. Thanks
 
I've got a low-light tank (1.5 watts of light per gallon) and I can grow hornwort, java ferns (several types), cryptocoryn wendtii 'green', anubias and hygrophila polysperma. These are all common low-light plants that are very easy to grow. I only fertilize with fish food plus a tiny bit of Flourish Excel every 2nd day or so. Plants grow slowly, but nicely.

Elodea/egaria densa/anacharis is really a medium to high light plant. Also, in my experience, jungle vals need a fairly nutrient rich substrate, plain gravel may not cut it (not sure what you have).

If you're having trouble growing plants it could be your light level. How much light do you have over your tank?
 
Since you have an ambush puffer I would be inclined to give it plenty of shady areas but this doesn't mean you have to drastically drop your lighting intensity. Driftwood with large bolbitis makes a great hiding spot. Large areas of crypts and a few tiger lotus also makes good cover. My arrowhead puffer likes to hang around crypts for some reason.
 
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