Cabomba Spp: Can It Flourish In Low Tech Or Not?

Hello,

I'm planting out my low tech 20 gallon long community tank and wanted to add something fluffy to balance out the long slender vallisnerias and bunched red ludwigia. Cabomba looks like a perfect aesthetic fit, but my LFS doesn't generally carry it so I may have to order some in. I JUST dropped $60 on a plant shipment where most of the plants died, so I'm a bit gunshy. Can someone tell me if they're hardy enough for a low tech, moderate light aquarium? If not, do you have any suggestions for a different background plant that would go with the vals and ludwigia?

 

I've grown it in lower lighting, but it does prefer medium light. A 20 long isn't very deep so even something like a Finnex Stingray would be adequate lighting.

I'd also check out myrio and fox/coontail.

 

I've had it grow like a weed in my 20 high with a plain old led that came with the tank. Its plain river Pebble gravel. I do use Flourish root tabs (stick it in when you put the plants down and you're done for 3 months) and Flourish liquid fertilizer weekly. It's pretty simple. It'll take a few weeks for it to recover after you plant it though. Just be patient.
Also wysteria is a super easy grower that grows tall for background but iis leaves are Lacy so it doesn't take up all the space it's growing in. My fish love it.

 

I fell in love with its look but I refrained from buying it because of its requirements. as others commented, you might still want to try it.

limnophila aromatica or sessiflora could be decent alternatives.

 

I've grown it in lower lighting, but it does prefer medium light. A 20 long isn't very deep so even something like a Finnex Stingray would be adequate lighting.

I'd also check out myrio and fox/coontail.

Thanks for the info! I just ordered a Finnex 247 customizable, so I should be able to meet its light requirements. I decided to get it, went to order it and.... it can't be shipped into Michigan (I'm assuming it's considered an invasive species). Ah well. I'll go check out the foxtail and myrio!

I've had it grow like a weed in my 20 high with a plain old led that came with the tank. Its plain river Pebble gravel. I do use Flourish root tabs (stick it in when you put the plants down and you're done for 3 months) and Flourish liquid fertilizer weekly. It's pretty simple. It'll take a few weeks for it to recover after you plant it though. Just be patient.
Also wysteria is a super easy grower that grows tall for background but iis leaves are Lacy so it doesn't take up all the space it's growing in. My fish love it.

I've been considering wisteria. It's such a classic, I feel like I need it in at least one tank. And if fish love it, I'm pretty much sold. Next time I go to my LFS I'll pick some up!

I fell in love with its look but I refrained from buying it because of its requirements. as others commented, you might still want to try it.

limnophila aromatica or sessiflora could be decent alternatives.

Both beautiful plants, and both available for shipping to Michigan (unlike Cabomba). Thanks for the recommendation!