Can I Do Low Light Dwarf Hairgrass?

I’m starting a 29gal planted tank. I just got a cheap light off of amazon, so I don’t think it’s considered “high lighting”. I was trying to find some easy low light plants I could do, and I’ve decided on java fern, Anubias Nana, and Water Wisteria. I’m going to dose with Seachem Excel for my C02 (since I have no idea how to do those complicated systems), but I really wanted to try and grow a dwarf hairgrass carpet. The tank will have excel and I’m using EcoComlete gravel with a liquid fertilizer, it’s just low light that’s the problem. Is it possible to grow dwarf hairgrass? I’ve thought about something easier like java moss but I don’t like the messy look it has. If you have any suggestions they’re greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

Excel isn't a true substitute for injected CO2, and it likely won't help much.

What kind of light did you buy? Can you attach a link?

DHG can be grown in low light tanks, but it will be extremely slow growing and it really needs a fertilized substrate. Ecocomplete also isn't a great substrate for it, as it doesn't have ferts itself - you'd still need to use root tabs. I wouldn't waste money on it.

What about something like S. repens or dwarf sag? Both are fine at low light.

 

I'm growing some in low light, plain innert gravel, but it is extreeeemely slow growing. It can be done, but it'll take a long while and you can't mess with the substrate where it's planted

 

Excel isn't a true substitute for injected CO2, and it likely won't help much.

What kind of light did you buy? Can you attach a link?

DHG can be grown in low light tanks, but it will be extremely slow growing and it really needs a fertilized substrate. Ecocomplete also isn't a great substrate for it, as it doesn't have ferts itself - you'd still need to use root tabs. I wouldn't waste money on it.

What about something like S. repens or dwarf sag? Both are fine at low light.

This is the light I bought. Ok, so you don’t think it’s even worth it? Cause I definitely don’t want to buy a bunch of them and they all die or don’t spread. I think I’ve heard something about dwarf sag! You think those would work well with my setup?

 

I personally wouldn't bother with DHG, especially with that light. Dwarf sag is a good, low light plant that does well with root tabs.

I haven't heard good things about that light, but it might be fine for the very low light plants (though the tank is tall, and that'll reduce your lighting near the substrate). Can you return it? I would go with a Beamswork instead.

 

Yeah DHG's very finicky, even more so than let's say, any rotala. It almost always is catagorized as a "carpet" plant, but technically it does have roots, and if and when it does very well and thrives, only then will you get the gift of plentiful runners. It requires good tabs and very high and steady PAR/light, therefore I concur with TexasDomer 100% with everything he suggested. Dwarf Sag. is awesome, BTW. Love it.

 

I personally wouldn't bother with DHG, especially with that light. Dwarf sag is a good, low light plant that does well with root tabs.

I haven't heard good things about that light, but it might be fine for the very low light plants (though the tank is tall, and that'll reduce your lighting near the substrate). Can you return it? I would go with a Beamswork instead.

Ok, I decided not to go with dwarf hairgrass. I would still like some kind of a carpet plant, some people have mentioned doing water Wisteria as a sort of carpet? Do you have any experience with this or know how to do it? Thanks! I can’t, so I think I’ll have to stick with this light. I was wanting to possibly keep Hornwort and an Amazon Sword. Do you think these are hardy enough to survive with this lighting?

 

My first planted tank was a low tech 10 gallon with eco-complete and DHG with root tabs. It didn't work at all. I got a few runners after 6 months or so but to think I could get a carpet was totally unreasonable. Save your $$$.

Hornwort and Amazon Swords will be okay in a low light tank. The sword might need a little more light for optimal growth but it shouldn't die. Just keep in mind that swords are heavy root feeders so definitely invest in root tabs for those. I have no experience with water wisteria as I can't seem to get it to grow in my tanks but its good to note that any plant will not have the bushy, dense, low growing look you're looking for with low light and no CO2. Chances are you'll end up with some growth but it'll be more tall and leggy, you know? Because they'll be stretching towards the light. If you get some mesh and attach the java moss to it with fishing line, you can get a carpet affect somewhat that isn't TOO messy..

SFGiantsGuy , TexasDomer is female btw.

 

My first planted tank was a low tech 10 gallon with eco-complete and DHG with root tabs. It didn't work at all. I got a few runners after 6 months or so but to think I could get a carpet was totally unreasonable. Save your $$$.

Hornwort and Amazon Swords will be okay in a low light tank. The sword might need a little more light for optimal growth but it shouldn't die. Just keep in mind that swords are heavy root feeders so definitely invest in root tabs for those. I have no experience with water wisteria as I can't seem to get it to grow in my tanks but its good to note that any plant will not have the bushy, dense, low growing look you're looking for with low light and no CO2. Chances are you'll end up with some growth but it'll be more tall and leggy, you know? Because they'll be stretching towards the light. If you get some mesh and attach the java moss to it with fishing line, you can get a carpet affect somewhat that isn't TOO messy..


Thank you!!! That helps. Yeah, I see what you’re saying. I’m only planning on using liquid fertilizer, so maybe I’ll skip the amazon sword. Do you know of any other low light plants that would work well with my setup? Yeah, that’s unfortunate... maybe later I can invest in a good light.

 

If you're not using root tabs, what's the point of an expensive substrate like Ecocomplete? Just wondering.

Since you won't use root tabs, you're limited to column feeders. Mosses, Anubias, Java fern, hornwort, anacharis, Riccia, guppy grass, and buces are some that come to mind for low light tanks.