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Having two 50 gal heavily planted tanks with guppies, I just make sure the plant mass is dense enough that there's enough cover for some to survive. I am sure some become snacks for the parents, but they breed so quickly, I don't have a shortage of them.
Your lighting is rather low, so you will have a slower growth rate and be limited in what you can grow, but it sounds like you have chosen plants suitable to your conditions, especially since they appear to be growing for you. The java moss should provide some excellent cover for them. You could also look into hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum). It's a floating plant, but I wouldn't recommend floating it in your tank due to the low light and the blockage thereof. You could anchor it in the gravel and let the stems grow up.
With the set up you have, I wouldn't necessarily recommend doing many water changes. Low lighting, no fertilization or CO2, so you want the fish waste and food to also feed your plants. Check out the el natural forum for info on these types of tanks.
Typically on planted tanks we don't often gravel vac.
Your lighting is rather low, so you will have a slower growth rate and be limited in what you can grow, but it sounds like you have chosen plants suitable to your conditions, especially since they appear to be growing for you. The java moss should provide some excellent cover for them. You could also look into hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum). It's a floating plant, but I wouldn't recommend floating it in your tank due to the low light and the blockage thereof. You could anchor it in the gravel and let the stems grow up.
With the set up you have, I wouldn't necessarily recommend doing many water changes. Low lighting, no fertilization or CO2, so you want the fish waste and food to also feed your plants. Check out the el natural forum for info on these types of tanks.
Typically on planted tanks we don't often gravel vac.
