Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

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shakinStevens
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Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2022 4:15 pm

Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

Post by shakinStevens »

I'm setting up a 10-gallon cube and want to keep it low-tech. What are the best plants that'll thrive without CO2 or high light? I've got sand substrate and a basic LED light.
olivegrow
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 5:43 pm

Re: Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

Post by olivegrow »

Anubias and Java Fern are solid choices, dude. They don't need much light and can just chill on driftwood or rocks. I've had mine for years with zero fuss.
dawnlite
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:29 pm

Re: Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

Post by dawnlite »

I'd recommend Cryptocoryne Wendtii. It's hardy and does well in low light. Just make sure your sand isn't too deep, or the roots might struggle. A root tab every few months helps.
mintox
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:46 pm

Re: Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

Post by mintox »

olivegrow wrote: Sat Aug 16, 2025 6:40 pm Anubias and Java Fern are solid choices, dude. They don't need much light and can just chill on driftwood or rocks. I've had mine for years with zero fuss.
Yep, those are classics. I'd add Bucephalandra to the list. It's slow-growing but super resilient, and the colors pop even under basic LEDs.
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Rustic
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Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2024 11:05 pm

Re: Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

Post by Rustic »

For a cube, consider mosses like Christmas or Java Moss. They're low-maintenance and can create a nice carpet or wall effect. Just tie them to mesh or driftwood.
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florish
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Re: Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

Post by florish »

Or you could just throw in some duckweed and call it a day. It's basically impossible to kill, though it might take over your tank if you're not careful. Good luck scraping it off later!
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shakinStevens
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Re: Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

Post by shakinStevens »

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll start with Anubias and Java Fern, maybe add some moss later. Appreciate the help.
biteon
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:46 pm

Re: Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

Post by biteon »

Don't forget about water wisteria. It grows like crazy even in low tech setups. Just trim it back when it gets too tall.
Soapie
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Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:46 am

Re: Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

Post by Soapie »

florish wrote: Sat Aug 16, 2025 11:31 pm Or you could just throw in some duckweed and call it a day. It's basically impossible to kill, though it might take over your tank if you're not careful. Good luck scraping it off later!
Duckweed's a nightmare if you ask me. Stick to the slower growers unless you wanna be scooping it out weekly.
ripples
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Joined: Sun May 29, 2022 7:46 am

Re: Plants for a Low-Tech Cube

Post by ripples »

I've had great luck with Amazon Swords in my low-tech cube. They do need root tabs, but they're worth it for the lush look. Just give 'em space to spread out.
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