frogster221

im looking for plants for my 55 gallon and so far i found 3 that i really liked: the javav fern, flame moss, and the banana plant. i was wondering just how hardy these plants are? do i need to have fertilizers, supplements or carbon dioxide being added to the tank. i was also wondering about the same for micro sword. and if i get the flame moss im going to put it on either driftwood or rocks but will it eventually grow onto the sand substrate or does it only live on rocks and driftwood?

HankB

Hi frogster221,
I just did a makeover on my 55 and pitched all of the plastic plants. I am in the process of replacing them with live plants. I had had live plants before, but they never did well with the factory lighting. I started by upgrading to 55 watt PC (Power Compact) fluorescents from A H Supply and IMO that's probably the most important thing you can do. That gives me 2 WPG (watts/gallon) which is still considered low in planted tank circles. I did start a DIY CO2 system, but I think you can get by without one. I think that keeping plant nutrients in check by avoiding overstocking and keeping up with water changes will help to make the most of that light. But with factory lighting it will be a challenge to find plants that will do well. I couldn't keep Java fern alive with that.

HTH,
hank

frogster221

well ill try it and see if i can but do u know or anybody know about flame moss?

joy613

If you can grow a java fern you can most likely grow flame moss, both are very undemanding plants.

frogster221

ok cool so anybody know of any low light plants that are sorta hardy?

Butterfly

Java Moss, Java Fern, Anubias, Crypts, Bolbitis
Carol

frogster221

thank you ill go research those top see if i like any