5 gallon planted tank...

[Dispatch273]

I want to turn my 5 gallon into a planted tank. Right now I keep my geophagus steindachneri female in there only when she is holding eggs/fry. I think it would be neat to have a planted tank, but all my other tanks have fish that don't really tolerate plants. They either dig them up or eat them lol. I'll be doing this as low tech as possible. Please give me any pointers on what types of plants I can use, substrate and lighting. Thanks! I will add pictures to this thread as I set it up.

 

[Chuncan]

Sand substrate and banana plants are awesome. You could also get some planted tank substrate but its a little expensive. Im assuming your lights arent going to be very powerful so stick with anubis's and java fern and the like. Also get lots o suppliments like flourish and excel for better results. Good luck!


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[Chuncan]

On a side note excel isnt good for some plants. Idk why, but it makes some plants 'melt'


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[Dispatch273]

Thank you! I was hoping for some lighting suggestions for the tank

 

[thepotz]

Lighting: $11 walmart flourescent grow light
Substrate: miracle gro ORGANIC Potting soil with a 1" - 1.5" layer of play sand or sand from your local river bottom.
DIY CO2 setup: 2 liter bottle, bakers yeast, sugar, airline, and diy co2 infuser, and google/youtube for instructions on how it is put together.
Plants: any warm water plants

 

[Dispatch273]

Lighting: $11 walmart flourescent grow light
Substrate: miracle gro ORGANIC Potting soil with a 1" - 1.5" layer of play sand or sand from your local river bottom.
DIY CO2 setup: 2 liter bottle, bakers yeast, sugar, airline, and diy co2 infuser, and google/youtube for instructions on how it is put together.
Plants: any warm water plants

Thank you! Do I put the sand on top of the putting soil?

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[thepotz]

Yea, put it on top to keep the soil from mixing into the water

 

[Dispatch273]

Yea, put it on top to keep the soil from mixing into the water

Ok, thanks!

 

[basskid081990]

I wouldbuse pool filter sand though, its much easier to use, havent used native sand though, i also see alot more people using special kitty non clumping cat litter i plan on trying that for my next small planted tank

 

[Dispatch273]

I wouldbuse pool filter sand though, its much easier to use, havent used native sand though, i also see alot more people using special kitty non clumping cat litter i plan on trying that for my next small planted tank

Ya I usually use pfs. I have it in all of my tanks