sharing my low-tech tank journey

[kayla]

I've been running a low-tech 10-gallon tank for six months now, just Java Fern and Anubias. The plants are alive but not thriving. Any tips on improving growth without adding CO2?

[floatie]

Yep, low-tech can be tricky. What's your lighting like? I've had success with a simple LED on for 6 hours, no direct sunlight. Also, try root tabs if you haven't, they're a game-changer.

[Torvik9]

Agreed on the lighting. Too much can cause algae, too little stalls growth. I'd also check your water params, especially nitrates. Plants need some, but not too much. Aim for 10-20 ppm.

[sundrift]

Yep, low-tech can be tricky. What's your lighting like? I've had success with a simple LED on for 6 hours, no direct sunlight. Also, try root tabs if you haven't, they're a game-changer.

Root tabs are solid advice. I'd add that liquid ferts like Seachem Flourish can help too, just dose lightly to avoid algae.

[kayla]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll try adjusting the light and adding root tabs. My nitrates are around 15 ppm, so that's good to know.

[brixton]

Nice setup! I'm kinda jealous. My low-tech tank is a mess right now, algae everywhere. Gonna try cutting the light back like you guys said.

[armored]

Algae can be a pain. I've found that floating plants like Frogbit help by shading the tank and soaking up excess nutrients. Might be worth a shot.

[fastfire]

Yo, armored's got a point. Frogbit is clutch for low-tech tanks. Also, don't forget to clean your filter regularly. A dirty filter can mess with water flow and nutrient distribution.

[Jazzlyn]

I'm new to this, but my Anubias is doing okay. Maybe it's just luck? I don't even know what nitrates are, haha.

[stellar]

Nitrates are part of the nitrogen cycle. Fish waste breaks down into ammonia, then nitrites, then nitrates. Plants use nitrates as food. Too much can harm fish, too little starves plants.