Hey guys, I am trying to get some advice on low light live plants. I have my tank set up near a window and i really don't use the light that came with the hood. I was wondering if there is anyway plants would survive witht the natural light from my window or would I just have to put the light on that came with the tank. That light is crazy bright and makes my p go nuts. The only light I do put on is the moonlight during the evening ours. any help would be great thanks !

i always say onion plants, its the only plant that seems to do ok in my low light p tanks, they eat up a lot of nitrate as well

Click to view attachment

amazon swords
java moss
java fern

all do ok in low light

anubias, small crypts, african ferns, java ferns, java moss, vallis vallis, vallis spirallias, cabomba, elodea africana.

thank you for your quick responses guys. Out of the plants that came in the pack I know the one is an onion bulb. I currently have it half way submerged in the sand is that ok? Also do you think I should start running my tank light or can I just use the natural sun light, thanks.

hmm, i think you should be ok with just daylight. might be a bit hard to see your fish is all. you can get better growth from a bulb though.

I was thinking about putting it on but I hate how he darts around...does anyone do the candycane electrical tape method on their light bulbs? Always wondered how safe taht was??

perfectly safe, probably the best way to do it. either that or get some floating plants. water sprite grows like mad and blocks out the worst of the light.

I have used the candy cane method of taping the lights. Had no problems at all with it. If you want less light, put more tape on. More light, take some tape off!
Also any of the above plants seem to work for me.

the only thing is i dont think the plants will do too well in sand, gravel allows nutrients to get down to the roots

thanks guys! About the sand thing...do you think I should spread gravel in the spot where I am putting the plant bulb or just see what happens with the sand?

putting the plants in gravel sounds like a good idea

ok so i'll just make a little circle in the sand with gravel and place the bulb in there..should i put it all the way under gravel or just half way?

as long as the roots are covered i think you`ll be alright, you might want to read up on some feng shui before you site it also

does anyone here have any planted tanks with sand as a substrate?

I do! I have got my community tank with JBL substrat complete, pea gravel, Flora Sun tubes and liquid fertiliser. My 300 tank has sand (and now a mix of pea gravel) and plants.
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

Wow Curly that is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!