Looking to get into plants

[Cichlidroobs]

Hey all, it's your friendly evil hybrid guy, just being an irresponsible fishkeeper again!

Anyways, I think i'm ready to add some real plants to my tank and I was wondering given the fish that I have (see sig.) what would be some good options? I'm looking for both plants that grow tall, and ones that stay short.

 

[James From Cali]

You can try Java Ferns. Just get some nice sized ones and your set. Large Anubias would work. Any plants that would attach itself to rock or would is perfectly fine but remember most cichlids are herbivourous!

 

[bigredspecial]

Like James said, with cichlids your options are pretty limited. Jave fern and most anubias will work, but there isn't much beyond that; most plants get either torn up/up rooted, or eaten.

 

[Fuzz16]

if you have decent lighting and a deep gravel bed you can do the amazons, thier deep rooted so they cant be pulled up. thier something you can keep with oscars. id just be worried about leaves being torn up

 

[Cichlidroobs]

Thanks all, i'll probably be ordering what you all suggested. Should I be concerned with CO2?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I've seen Java fern, Anubias, and types of Val kept in cichlid tanks before. Java fern and anubias mainly because they can be attached to rocks and cannot be uprooted.

I wouldn't worry about heavy light or CO2 personally. Anubias and java fern to my knowledge grow fine in low light conditions.

 

[Cichlidroobs]

I see, when I crank my lights up to full blast (havent since I got the new bulbs) I can provide about 2.4 watts per gallon of 10,000K daylight. I only run them at half, 1.2 watts per gallon, for 10 hours a day. I've heard that overdoing it can actually harm lowlight plants, is that a concern given my specs? The 54 gallon corner tank is a deep tank, should I power up all the lights to compensate, or am I good? Finally, does any manufacturer make a type of power compact lamp that is more beneficial to plants, or is 10,000K the way to go here?

 

[Helena21]

I would say power up both lights when you get the plants, they would appreciate it alot.
My 7 gal planted has a 10,000k bulb and the plants seem to be fine. A lower K raitng would be better (6000k-8000k) but im sure the plants will be just fine

 

[Cichlidroobs]

I have my timers set up already to run full blast for 6 hours, so after I get the plants i'll just plug the second strip in, that'll be cool then. Thanks for all the help and I should have my plants within the next couple of weeks!

 

[Orion]

I wouldn't use both lights right off the bat. Give your plants a while to get used to your tank, and then see if you think that adding more light would be good for them. Nothing that I've seen listed here is really fast growing, so the only thing that's going to be fighting the algae will be you. So it depends on how hard you want to fight, or make it easier on yourself. I have 80w NO T12 over my 75 gallon and it grows java fern and my anubias like there is no tomorrow.

 

[Cichlidroobs]

Is there anything that grows quick to combat nitrates but isn't readily bothered by cichlids?

 

[Orion]

Most fast growing plants are stem plants, and not too many of those are tough enough IMHO to withstand the onslaught that many cichlids can give. But I've heard of mild success with ancharis and water sprite/wisteria.