is my tank too cold for plants?

[dirtys]

My Anubias and Java Ferns are barely growing, and the leaves look kinda pale. Tank's at 68°F, no heater. Could the temp be messing with them? Got a 20 gallon, LED lights on 8 hours, sand substrate.

[swift_man]

68°F is definitely on the low end for most tropical plants. Anubias and Java Fern can tolerate it, but growth will be slow. You might wanna bump it up to 72-75°F if you want better results. What's your lighting like? Low light could also be a factor.

[lunanix]

Yep, that's chilly for those plants. My Anubias perked up when I added a heater and kept it at 74°F. Also, check your ferts. If you're not dosing anything, they might just be starving. Sand substrate doesn't hold nutrients well.

[herbior]

68°F is definitely on the low end for most tropical plants. Anubias and Java Fern can tolerate it, but growth will be slow. You might wanna bump it up to 72-75°F if you want better results. What's your lighting like? Low light could also be a factor.

Agreed. Temperature is crucial for metabolic rates. If you're not seeing algae issues, your light might be fine, but the cold is likely the main problem. A simple 50W heater should do the trick.

[pengu]

Dude, get a heater. Even a cheap one will help. My tank was at 67°F, and my plants were just existing, not thriving. Bumped it to 75°F, and now they're growing like crazy. Also, what's your water change schedule? Stability matters too.

[lunarca]

Lol, your plants are basically in hibernation. 68°F is like winter for them. Crank up the heat, and maybe throw in some root tabs if you're not already. Sand's pretty but useless for nutrients.

[Ravenix8]

Yep, that's chilly for those plants. My Anubias perked up when I added a heater and kept it at 74°F. Also, check your ferts. If you're not dosing anything, they might just be starving. Sand substrate doesn't hold nutrients well.

Exactly. Temp and nutrients go hand in hand. If you're not fertilizing, even perfect temps won't fix pale leaves. Try a liquid fert like Thrive or Easy Green.

[flamer8]

I'd start with a heater before messing with ferts. Cold water slows everything down, so even if you dose, the plants might not uptake it well. Get the temp right first, then tweak other stuff.

[dirtys]

Thanks, everyone. Gonna grab a heater and see how it goes. Appreciate the tips on ferts too. Didn't realize sand was such a pain for nutrients.

[Kalevo]

Good call on the heater. Let us know how it turns out. Plants can take a bit to adjust, so don't panic if you don't see changes right away.