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I know it's possible...but how difficult and or how do you maintain a plant only? It wouldn't be very heavily planted, most likely only with low light plants. And it might have a few live critters, there are some mts in there already ...

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I don't think it would be too bad. There are some ferts out there that contain forms of nitrogen that plants can use. I'm guessing that is your major concern. Other than that completely stock your tank when you start with ferts and light so you don't get so much algea.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

do you mean a singel specie in a tank? like all java fern for example?

I've seen those kinds of tanks before and i think it all depends on which plant you choose, if you are going for low light low maintenance, i would go with java fern var. windelov. the shape of the leaves is a great decoration itself, and is low demanding.

Hope that's it

T'anks for the ideas falstaf...acutually it really might end up being only one or two varieties of plants....
By plant only I meant that I might not have any fish in it...so far there's only the few MTS and I'm not sure they really count towards keeping the plants with the nutrients they need....so the question becomes. How do I care for the plants in a small, 6 gallon or less tank?

^_^

With a plant-only tank you'll need to do is dose nitrogen on top of your regular fertilizer. Seachem makes a Flourish Nitrogen, which you can use. I'm sure there are others.

You'd probably want some kind of water movement as well. Stagnant water would probably invite algae.

Stagnant water would probably invite algae.

hmmm suppose I should have posted more info on my idea :%).

I'm thinking something along the lines of a paludarium, I have an extra powerhead (yes it'll be a bit much for a 6 gallon hex) but I'm thinking of using it to run a waterfall down some rocks, likely with terrestrial plants, then to fall back down to the bottom where I'm likely to have some java fern on driftwood, maybe some java moss as well...I havent' had all that much success with much else plant wise...well red temple and on and off luck with wisteria :%) .

So there'd be some filtration, being so small it's likel to get somewhat frequent water changes....It's likely to be room temps so a range of 60F-85F.

^_^

I don't know if jave fern could withstand the beating of a waterfall...you might want something a little more substantial. A low light stem plant may do well if it can stay submerged. Or you might just want to stick with terrestrial plants all around. That way size isn't as big an issue. I know they sell those bamboo plants. Those might be able to withstand the powerhead blast.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

If you need to give the plants nitrogen, couldn't you take a bucket or so of water from an established tank that has nitrates in it and just use that?

<Vet in Training>
Blog under development: http://www.nearlydrferox.blogging4life.com/

now i get it!!!

Ok all i add is a dose of Master Grow form tropica, and that works the trick!

The natural habitat of java ferns is waterfalls so I dont think that would be a problem, it would probably be ideal. If Ive understood it right they dont even have to have their roots in water, the splashing is enough. Sounds like a great little idea Babel, keep working on it.

Having the water in my spare little tank standing all still didnt seem to damage the plants or make algea grow (just room light though) but the surface of the water got all gelly-like.

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So here I am once more...