View Full Version : first time planter
acidburn470
10-10-2005, 6:27 PM
Im looking at planting my tank its only 20 gallons and it has 2 plecos a bumblebee cat a raphael cat, golden ram, and a golden wonder killie. What I am wondering is what would be a good way to do it. I want to largely cover the back of the tank instead of using those picture things. I also would like good coverage over the top. I dont want any serious growth at the front of the tank though. What should I use and will I need a CO2 injector to make it work?
HarleyK
10-11-2005, 2:16 PM
Howdy,
try to live w/o CO2, it's cheaper ;) Furthermore, only few plants really need it. Try Echinodorus, Cryptocoryne or Vallisneria for the back and water lettuce as floaters . Hurry, your local garden store might have some water lettuce left from the pond season. I got some for $ 1.60, and I already had to throw excess growth out!
You may want to get some aquatic fertilizer tablets or clay chunks (laterite) to help your plants out.
Great project, planted tanks are so much fun!
HarleyK
Cuba_Libra
10-12-2005, 2:23 AM
I'm also thinking about planting my tank, and since its now pretty much full fish wise..... the big question is to Plant, or save up for the 55 gal.
paintboi101
10-12-2005, 2:42 AM
wow those are small tanks, to hav that much fish i would be worried.
paintboi101
10-12-2005, 2:43 AM
i also need help puting plants in my tank
i want to put some plants and maybe a drifft wood in it so my fish fell secured,
also i hav a soft shell in my tank, will the plants effect my soft shell???
paintboi101
10-12-2005, 2:49 AM
also, my big question is, how do u clean the plants and the tank, wouldnt it be really hard to clean it?
cause all those plants and plus the fish
paintboi101
10-12-2005, 2:51 AM
i want to do a plant and fish tank cause it make the home better looking and makes the fish look like their in a more natural enviroment to live in. but what if the fish eat the plant, wouldnet i hav to buy a certain plant ?
paintboi101
10-12-2005, 2:52 AM
and dont i also need a certain type of lighting 4 the fish and plants?
It all depends on your set up as to lighting and cleaning, for some tanks a thin tip siphon and occasional wipes with a soft cloth are enough for cleaning, full spectrum aquarium lights are enough for the less touchy plants.
HarleyK
10-12-2005, 3:32 PM
Howdy,
You have a soft shell in your tank, I assume you mean a soft shell turtle(???). If that is the case, plants may be hard to keep, since the turtle digs and tears them out. Also, turtles create a lot of organic waste and cleaning your tank is probably an "empty the tank out, rinse gravel and decoration, and put it back in" efford. Plants won't do too well when they are constantly uprooted and replanted. Last but not least, the turtle may consider your fish to be food when you don't feed it enough... To enrich your turtle's environment, you can give it some driftwood or floating cork bark! It'll love it!
If it's not a turtle: Don'ty worry about the lights or the cleaning of plants. They are naturally clean, no need to scrub ;) the ones I mentioned above often do fine even with just a light bulb.
Have fun with your tank, either way,
HarleyK