1st time with live plants

[tellemuno]

with standard lights, regular gravel and no CO2, those plants won't last too long.
If that's java fern on the far left, tie it or weight it down to that drift wood - its rhizome (root looking things) will attach to the wood. It will never 'take root' in gravel, whereas it doesn't have roots.
Java fern may actually be your best bet for 1st time plants - they like low light, can do without added CO2, don't have soil requirements and taste bad to fish, thus don't get eaten.

so if i get some co2 will i b fine or do i have 2 change the substrate also?

 

[tellemuno]

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15526 something like this?

 

[Otherone]

My 2 cents - Looks good btw! Over the past year I've spent money on trying to increase dissolved oxygen in all my tanks via powerheads, current, added filtration, and dircet feeds into the filtration waterflow. Since I've started doing this the fish definately have a greater growth rate, algae growth is a minimum, but my 3+ year old plants are all slowly dying off. I suspect it may be best to stick with low maintence plants ie- java fern, java moss, and the anubius species. In the past I've had great success with C02 and iron mineral suppliments under t-5 lighting with large openings in the lid and minimal water flow. Since, I've lowered the wattage and bulb type, stopped with the additives, and haven't used any type of C02, it's been a trade off for me so to speak.

 

[Lupin]

is it alot of work at keeping live plants alive?

If you don't want too much hassle, pick the ones that prefer low to moderate lighting. They're usually undemanding and easy to keep.

The following may be tried.

1. Java moss
2. Java ferns
3. Anubias
4. Nymphaea sp.
5. Egeria densa
6. Hornworts
7. Duckweeds
8. Water Wisteria
9. Water Hyacinth
10. Cryptocoryne sp.

Don't move the crypts around too much though. They tend to melt as they hate being moved.

 

[jp80911]

CO2 is not always necessary, for high tech planted tank yes but for low tech ones its not needed.
you may need to upgrade your light depends on the plants you have and the height of your tank.

 

[tellemuno]

here is a vid with plants!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7dtiVeOMGY