water temp

[xander]

I have a 55 gallon native tank that houses sunfish and a bullhead. I have a few plants in there that don't require a lot of light (sorry I don't recall the names, but I know they aren't java types). I don't light the tank directly and have no heat for it either. I am thinking of lighting half the tank for a few hours a day but have no intention of heating it. How is plant health affected by the water temp. I doesn't matter too much if they don't grow fast. I just don't want to kill them from it being too cold. The tank shouldn't get below 60 this winter. It is a little cooler than the air temp. About 65 - 70 F at the moment.

 

[Fruitbat]

Interestingly enough...there are quite a few plants native to the U.S. that will do very well in an unheated tank. I can't think of any, though, that won't require a bit more light than it sounds like you're going to give your tank.

I was visiting Minnesota a couple of summers ago and dropped by my in-law's place on Otter Tail. There is some absolutely GORGEOUS Foxtail in that lake along with a number of other types of plants that will undoubtedly thrive in a well-lit, cool-water tank. They're probably seasonal though...can't confirm this personally but it would make sense that the plants die back in the winter.

Just a couple of thoughts.