ideas for low/no tech tank

[slroo]

Hi al...I'm going to be planting my tank for the first time and am looking for ideas from some of you who are using just the standard lights that came with your tank (no upgrades), no CO2, no ferts, etc. Just basic, easy stuff. I realize I can only probably keep java moss, some anubias & crypts etc., but I have no idea what a tank can look like with just these. Can anyone post some pics for ideas?

 

[WaterPond]

here is the most common anubias species: Anubias nana
http://www.fantasyreef.com/database/index.php?p=getitem&db_id=8&item_id=2

Java fern:
http://www.fantasyreef.com/database/index.php?p=getitem&db_id=8&item_id=54

Java moss:
http://www.fantasyreef.com/database/index.php?p=getitem&db_id=8&item_id=16

And here are a few of the crypt species i keep:
not sure what this one is:

Crypt wendtii 'tropica'

I also have good luck with asian ambulia in low light/low maintenance tanks:

 

[slroo]

Thanks, waterpond. Do you keep all of these types, or just the crypts and the ambulia? Do you have upgraded lighting at all? I only have the 2 15 watt bulbs that came with my 55g, and I don't have any plans to upgrade any time soon.

 

[WaterPond]

Yes, i keep all of those types except for the Java moss. I just didn't have any pictures handy for the other plants.

I have moderate-high lighting in my planted tanks, but i have grown java fern and java moss in no light. The crypts and anubias will be fine under that lighting probably aswell. The ambulia... hmmm. I don't have experience with growing it in low light so i can't help you there, sorry.

 

[Jchillin]

Waterpond gave some excellent suggestions. I happen to have a low light (1.5wpg) tank and I've had some success with ambulia and most of the ludwigia sp. (especially brevipes and repens). Crypts enjoy low-light more than high light so having a tank full of them is not a bad idea. I will suggest getting some root tabs if you do not have an enriched substrate.