ok i just got my new tank setup and started wondering what it would take to set it up as a planted tank? i have no knowledge what-so-ever when its comes to planted tanks so any opinions are taken with thanks.
converting to planted tank?
- Thread starter jerzyperson
- Start date
I would recommend perusing the stickies in the section and figure out what sort of plants you are drawn to. Then you can figure out what sort of lighting and supplements you would need. There are so many plants its difficult to give a clear answer without knowing more of what you are interested in.
yea sorry i have no clue on even names of plants. so i will do some research i guess and try to get a little more info for you guys/gals
some easy low light plants to try out are anubias nana and Java Fern, they will grow in pretty much any condition. But for a true planted tank, you need proper lighting, nutrient dosing, C02 injection (or liquid C02), a good plant growing sub, time, and patience.
Patience is the key ingredient for planted tanks, especially with slow growing plants. Lighting and nutrients are the second key factors, along with a good substrate. My experience with switching from artificial to planted has been a very enjoyable one.
well i have a 75 gallon tank set up and have no plants, but we think adding two live plants (one in each rear corner) would make my tank look really nice.
Your lighting is the most important thing in a planted tank. Usually, 1 watt per gallon is considered low lighting, 2 watts per gallon is moderate, and 3 watts or more is high. If you don't have 1 watt per gallon, you can't really keep anything other than java ferns.
(And that's fluorescent wattage. The absorption of incandescent wattage by plants is actually about 5% compared to its fluorescent wattage.)
(And that's fluorescent wattage. The absorption of incandescent wattage by plants is actually about 5% compared to its fluorescent wattage.)