Here is a tank that was set up well over 2 years with a small amount of Valli's and some small pieces of fern tied to some wood.
The back and two sides were blacked out and netting across the top.
There was no light over it, it got no direct sunlight and the only light it got was from some downlights in the room. There was also a shelf about 50cm above it.
The water wasent changed but was topped up each week. The sponge filter was checked every couple of months to make sure it wasent stiff (no longer working)and water tested at the same time.
It had a 6 male,2 female killifish and 2 shrimp.

When i emptied it recently it had 16 killifish, one fry, no shrimp and millions of snails.
The water was as follows;
ph 5.53, Kh 0ppm, GH 12ppm, Ammonia 0, nitrite 0ppm, Nitrate 20ppm and phosphate 0.5ppm (a bit high)

As you can see the fern had grown and the Valli's was little stumps but still green. The snails had done a lot of damage eating the plants.
So how much light do these plants need since the only light was room light penetrating through the front of the tank.

Darren.

The conditions seem to have suited the killis anyway and the plants managed on whatever little light they gathered

it didnt seem to do the fish any harm anyway. the plants look better then mine and they have direct sunlight in 2 directions and 2 overhead light...go figure... you must have the touch.

Thats impressive!!! I didn't think the ferns would survive with no light thats a surprise. The Java moss Im convinced is indestructable, you could probably let it dry out for a couple of weeks put it back in the tank and it would still thrive in the dark!!