Low-Light Plants: Shopping Online

[somecallmedaniel16]

Well for a while I had begun to plan for a high-light planted tank but recently I have decided against it and I am now more decided on a low-light tank, since I will probably not have enough time and money to maintain a high-light, high-maintenance freshwater tank. So! I am just looking around on the internet for fairly-priced, low light plants. eBay has a few sellers that look like they have good prices, even with shipment costs. Even though I don't doubt there has already been a thread concerning this, does anyone have any suggestions for places to shop for live plants? Or maybe suggestions of plants to get?

By the way, I have a 20 gal high tank with about 15 fish.

 

[somecallmedaniel16]

I should also add that I have a 15-watt fluorescent bulb.

 

[black hills tj]

Look around on the forums. People are always giving them away for the cost of shipping. With 15 watts you will be really limited. Think...some crypts, anubias, anacharis, hornwort, java fern, and java moss.

 

[fisch]

Moss, crypts, anubias, java ferns.
15 watt isnt much light so you'll have pretty slow growth.
I've bought from aquabid before with good results.
Check the classifieds here too. You can usually get some good prices.

 

[somecallmedaniel16]

would either of you advise getting a 65-watt fixture and instead going with a high-light tank?

 

[black hills tj]

would either of you advise getting a 65-watt fixture and instead going with a high-light tank?

It wouldn't be a bad idea, but I've seen some very impressive low light tanks, too.

 

[somecallmedaniel16]

I am so indecisive. : /

 

[mgamer20o0]

65w over the 20 will be a little harder to control. i suggest is getting a incandescent hood and using 2 cfl bulbs like you find at walmart or home depot. look for the 6500k daylight bulb this way you get more light over the tank but not so much where you will have algae problems. as for plants send me a pm i have lots of different anubias crypts ferns and other low light plants that will work.

 

[somecallmedaniel16]

awesome, thanks mgamer : )

 

[somecallmedaniel16]

65w over the 20 will be a little harder to control. i suggest is getting a incandescent hood and using 2 cfl bulbs like you find at walmart or home depot. look for the 6500k daylight bulb this way you get more light over the tank but not so much where you will have algae problems. as for plants send me a pm i have lots of different anubias crypts ferns and other low light plants that will work.

but wait, where can i find the incandescent hood?

 

[somecallmedaniel16]

nevermind. I found one here:
Perfecto 24" Walnut Incandescent Strip Light - eBay (item 190310469083 end time Jun-25-09 10:06:16 PDT)

would this be suitable?

 

[mgamer20o0]

yes it would. might even want to put a local craigslist listing often people have them and dont use them.

 

[black hills tj]

nevermind. I found one here:
Perfecto 24" Walnut Incandescent Strip Light - eBay (item 190310469083 end time Jun-25-09 10:06:16 PDT)

would this be suitable?

If you are going to drop cash on a new fixture, pony up and do it right. CF fixtures aren't priced all that bad.

 

[Jedi]

...as for plants send me a pm i have lots of different anubias crypts ferns and other low light plants that will work.

Could another low-light newbie jump in on this offer?
I desperately need a couple more plants to fill in my tank and help fight off algae.

 

[happygirl65]

check out bigalsonline.com also for strip light upgrades.....you can get a 24" CF fixture for $45 I am looking into it for my 29.

 

[somecallmedaniel16]

check out bigalsonline.com also for strip light upgrades.....you can get a 24" CF fixture for $45 I am looking into it for my 29.

I see the one you are talking about. Another seemingly good choice for my tank, as it would provide more light than I have but still keep me in the low-light range, for a fair price. Would the T5 light count more towards the wpg of my tank? I assume that this would be a 15w + 14w T5 light?

 

[mgamer20o0]

Could another low-light newbie jump in on this offer?
I desperately need a couple more plants to fill in my tank and help fight off algae.

just pm me.

 

[mgamer20o0]

I see the one you are talking about. Another seemingly good choice for my tank, as it would provide more light than I have but still keep me in the low-light range, for a fair price. Would the T5 light count more towards the wpg of my tank? I assume that this would be a 15w + 14w T5 light?

t5 are great lighting option. not sure how you got 15 and 14 but look on the fixture for the total wattage.

 

[somecallmedaniel16]

t5 are great lighting option. not sure how you got 15 and 14 but look on the fixture for the total wattage.

Well it doesn't say the total wattage, but it has 2 lights: a Cloramax full spectrum light and one t5 14 watt 6700k lamp. Looks like a good buy; I'm pretty sold on it and I plan on ordering it soon.

 

[mgamer20o0]

well 28w 14+14. it was the different numbers that threw me off. its like what 24 inch right? i think i have that same fixture its a good one. grew lots of plants in a 20 long.