Plants without proper lighting?

LyzzaRyzz

If i were to buy plants, even though i do not have the proper lighting, but will soon [within the week], would i be able to just float them on top of my water?
What plants would i be able to so that with? Im going to go for a bit more surface plants, but id like some that ill be able to put under the sand when i get my light.

The reason I want to do this is so i can cut my cycling time down, and put my first fish in my tank, since i have decided on my next group of fish , and my lps has a group id love to snatch up!

Byron

It depends upon the plant species, the available light (daylight, tank light) and the time. While plants obviously survive a few days in the dark, as when we mail them to each other, this sets them back. If you are wanting good plants to deal with ammonia in a new tank, I would suggest asking the store if they will put some on hold for you, maybe you can pay for them to hold them, until you are ready. The fewer changes in environment the better.

Olympia

They should be fine for a few days..
However, I am not sure if they will properly absorb ammonia and toxins without light to photosynthesize. Just a thought... Light is one of those things that needs to be balanced, and without it they may not absorb as much as you'd like.

LyzzaRyzz

Thing is, the only place around, that ive found, that sells plants is about 40 minutes away. So I'd like to buy a bunch at once. Could I leave them in a bucket outside? Or even in a bucket in front of a window?
I'm always trying to get to new local stores, but it's hard with no car! And now that I have a job, I'm working every day, and my boyfriend wouldn't know exactly what to get.

bohmert

i have looked at Mikeswetpsets on ebay and he has some nicw looking plants and shipping is reasonable and his rating is 99.9% if i had know about him i would of gotten mine from him. He has a website also......

Varkolak

leaving them outside will end up with a bucket full of nice green thriving algae cover plants - If I were you your shoes.. which I was and did this.. I would go ahead and get the plants and mount reading lights, in my case I used reptile lights, it wont be the prettiest but the plants will be fine for a couple days even under a basic aquarium light - I had no lighting at all so I used the reptile lamps

LyzzaRyzz

I can't get anything off line, I don't have a credit ard or pay pal. I should soon though, but until then, I'm stuck with stores.

I don't have reptile lights, but reading lights do you mean regular desk lamps?

Varkolak

Yup, a plant will use any light available to it even if its not specifically made to nurture plants CFL bulbs will work better with this because they can put off more light

LyzzaRyzz

Oh awesome!
I feel much better about getting the plants now...
Still don't know which ones, but I'll figure it out!