Low-Light Carpet Plant?

Hey I have a 29 gallon with a single fluorescent light that produces only 0.50 watts per gallon and I wanted to grow some kind of low-light carpet plant. I haven't setup the tank yet, but when I do I'll have a DIY CO2 system, Seachem Flourite substrate, and Seachem Flourish. I was leaning towards Dwarf Hair Grass(DHG) or Dwarf Sagittaria. Would these plants eventually form a carpet over the months? The best I can do is go up 0.75 WPG with a new bulb because I do not have the budget for a new light fixture. Any advice would help, THANKS!

 

I don't know about dwarf sag, but dwarf hairgrass is going to need better light.

Is this a T8 light?

 

Yes its a T8 light, it's this light but 28" and has Marineland on it

 

My bit of advise is to put a reflector in the top of the fixture to reflect the wasted light downward I used some aluminum tape for heat ducting I have the same light as you linked but for a 15 long tank that is a shorter tank only 12" tall still only translates to 1.15 watt per gallon but it should be adequate for java moss anubias and a few others.

It is not a true carpeting plant but riccia or java moss can be used to carpet or wall...

 

Good morning,

Below a link to a thread that you may find helpful. Be sure to check out the link posted in post #2:


Ken

 

I just watched the video and it was great. I went to their website and it is in German (I think). But the pictures and layouts are easy to understand so there are lots of good ideas there.

 

You will need much more light to grow any plant. I'm not even sure Java Moss would grow in such a dark tank.

I see you are planning on using Fluorite substrate, ferts and CO2. So why not upgrade that fixture while you are at it?

With virtually no light everything else is a waste. Plants will not be able to utilize the benefit of the substrate, will not be able to photosynthesize and therefore will not be able to utilize ferts or CO2.

 

Well the only reason why I am going to have all these ferts and the DIY CO2 system is because I don't have the money for a new light fixture that supplies 2-3 WPG and I am going to need these nutrients regardless of WPG for good plant health . If I found one in the range of my budget which is $40-50 USD then yea I would go ahead and get one, but for now I have to settle with what I have...

 

If you are short on money, don't waste it on buying special substrate, ferts and CO2 without a better light. I would first purchase the light. Then with the money left over purchase pea gravel or sand and ferts.

 

That's good advice. Without adequate lighting, fert and co2 supplimentation is meaningless. The plants need good lighting to use those things.

 

Sand is cheaper than gravel go to ace hardware pick up a 50 lbs bag of pool filter sand granusil is the brand I got it came very clean it took maybe 15 min of washing before the water came off clear it needs a bit more washing before I put it in but it is very white and great looking almost like salt dry and wet it has just a bit darker.

And I'm with the other suggestions the plants can survive a lot longer with enough light than it can with fertilizer and co2 the fish you have will provide food and co2 for the plants as they get started and you can't afford to do better lights then make them I was torn on getting an aqueon hood or making my own top and I came up with it was going to cost me I could make it for 50-60 or I could just buy the hood and be done with it.

 

Alrite thanks for all the advice guys. It really does make sense what you said catsma, ill just do my best to get a new light fixture or maybe upgrade my ballast to accept more wattage.

 

Well I have been thinking does your hood have a glass window that fixture sits on? If so then you could build a cfl based fixture that could boost your wpg it would just be building a vented box with reflectors that fits in that spot they are self ballasted just have to provide 120 volts.

 

Yes my fixture sits on a glass window, could you tell me more about this cfl fixture?

 

Java moss doesn't require much light. My have moss grew when it was in a red party cup and the only light it got was from a half open window halfway across the room. It also grew in my old 5 gallon I had that had no lights due to the fact that I moved everything but moss and gravel to a bigger tank.

 

Well I modded mine.


2 twin sockets were 4.95 each shipping was 7 something total bill came to 16.60 in parts and shipping get some old lamp wire wire it up it should take 3 wire nuts and 2 feet of wire the total bill should come to around 30 for all the mod parts and bulbs then the total build time should take under an hour alternately if you can plastic rain gutter can be used to make a new housing but that ups the build cost...

mods methods to avoid
under cabinet strip lights available in t5 and t8 one is what you have the other would work but is limited to 2 or 3 t5 fixtures...