55 Gallon tank new to planting

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Icefishr

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 26, 2012
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Eastern South Dakota
Hey guys im new to the site and im currently working on a 55 gallon freshwater aquarium to be used with some native fish from the midwestern US. I am debating on planting live plants as i really dont like the looks of artificial plants

my questions:
1)what substrate should i use? I would like to keep it as inexpensive as possible and as natural lookings as i can. can sand be used with

2)what plants would you reccommend? i dont want too cluttered of a tank just something simple to give some color and dimmension. Also would prefer slow growing plants if possible. I dont have a heater for the tank.

3)Any pointers/tips for a someone new to aquascaping? Im always open to ideas.

I will be finding some driftwood as a focal piece for the tank as well as a few larger decorative rocks. I just want a few plants to add color and help hide the back corners of the tank.


Thanks in advance
Icefishr
 
1 use sand if you want it. plant substrate is just a small help most often in newer tanks.
2 anubias crypts java ferns moss my fav
3 depends on what you want to do.... a few small plants up front some taller ones on the side. i like a to leave a big swimming area open others like more of a jungle.
 
You also might want to run co2 for the plants, also add some nutrients to the water. I use something called Flourish, it helps plant photosynthesize. Plants cannot complete photosynthesis without nutrients, just like humans cannot grow or survive without food.
 
Swords are hardy
 
try a low light tank with 100 watts over it. you could use a bed of organic potting soil (miracle grow.. $6.50 home creepo) topped with 50/50 sand regular gravel. I agree with swords, will add anacharis. provide a lot of oxygen and goes through nitrates. if you NEED co2, use Excel. water column fertilizing wouldn't been required/recommended.
 
Vallisaria was my plant of chocie when I had a norther for awhile. It created a neat carpet across the top of the water and a labarinth of natural hide type area. tbh depending on what species your keeping.. some species like heavily planted and some prefer rockwork or driftwood to plants.
 
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