my 55 gallon tank?

Question

i have two 15 watt lights in it. what plants can i put in there? in fertilizer neccesary?

Answer 1

I hate to say it, but you are getting a lot of terrible advice on a planted tank. Plants DO need proper lighting and if you have many, will need some fertilizers from time to time.

You currently have less than 1 watt per gallon on a reasonably deep tank. That's inadequate for light loving broad leafed plants such as sword plants. They prefer a range of 4-6 watts per gallon, more is often better, but only when supported with proper fertilizers and CO2.

For your tank I would suggest java moss or java ferns. Both do very well in low light situations and wouldn't require any additional fertilizers or CO2 if you keep it to a limited amount of plant matter in the tank. It's not hard, if they stop growing, it's at the limit. If they appear to be dying, it's over the limit and you need to remove some.

Here's a link to some very good and highly respected planted tank information. Everything from the very basics to the most complex of planted tanks is covered in excellent detail.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PlantedTksSubWebIndex/AquariumGardenSubWebIndex.html

Hope that helps

MM

Answer 2

Fish provide all the fertilizer necessary - in fact, one of the purposes of plants is to take the nitrogen from the fish out of the tank.

Light for plants depends on the types of plants. "Broad leaf" plants do not need lights and can work from ambient lighting, but do not grow very rapidly. You MUST NOT over-light broad-leaf plants (wider than 1/2 inch).

There are fast growing plants that take light, but they generally do better floating on top of the tank. But Val needs some light, and needs to be anchored. The broad-leaf plants need to be anchored, but don't like much light (makes algae grow on them, and that kills them).

I suggest that the best solution is to have some floating plants (near the lights), and some val and other fast growring plants on the bottom (and getting light from windows [which is more than you actually realize]), and some broad-leaf plants in the corners where the light is not too bright.

It's just like house plants - the broader the leaf, the less light it wants. Put a daffy (daffenbachia) in full sun, and you kill it... Broad-leaf plants in water don';t like much light at all. Most of the time the light from a window 20 feet away (I AM NOT KIDDING) will keep them very happy., but your val will then die from lack of light....

Ron.

Answer 3

This website has some good suggestions for live plants for a freshwater aquarium: http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=229

Fertilizer is not necessary. The fish will produce waste that will in turn benefit the plants.
Artificial (plastic , silk, or polyester) plants can also be used for decoration and may be easier to move around when cleaning your tank.

This website has some helpful advice as to types and appropriate numbers:

http://www.imaginegold.com/aquarium_plnt.htm

Answer 4

I really have to agree with MM, bad advice everywhere around you
All the plants need light to grow
The site he gave you is very good and informative

Here are a few more sites with more info on individual plants

http://www.freshwateraquariumplants.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=FAP&Category_Code=AP
http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=326
http://www.aquariumplants.com//Articles.asp?ID=111
http://www.aquariumplants.com/Aquarium_Plants_s/1.htm
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?siteid=26&pCatId=768
Hope that helps
Good luck

Answer 5

the green kind of plants

Answer 6

no