Hey guys, I've had some solid success with some basic plants in most of my freshwater tanks, old 75 gallon had good growth with anubias, water sprite, swords, wisteria, etc and my 46 bow has good growth with the same plants, but i've never used plant specific substrate or I guess that you could say I've never had a full blown "planted tank". That's bout to change and would like as many opinions as people are willing to offer.
To start off the tank is a 20 long and will be filtrated by a Fluval 405, I already have cycled media ready to roll and will be starting it after christmas. For lighting I am planning on ordering a dual bulb 6500k T5 that is 48W and for substrate I am planning to use Seachem's Fluorite with some black gravel on top. As far as fish stocking as of now it will have 6 cory cats that survived my girlfriends tank and from there I'm still considering what to do.
What I really need suggestions on is a good front to back distribution of plants, I want it to have a fairly full look, thinking anubias in the foreground and maybe some grassy plants, swords or something a little larger in the back, and i'm not really sure on mid level plants, was reading maybe saggitarius of some kind may be good? I'm completely open to ordering some plants or trying new things, so if you have an idea please let me know it!
Any pictures of you guys tanks would be appreciated along with any input you want to give about types of plants, placing of plants, light cycles, fish stocking, whether any of the substrate sifting freshwater snails are a good idea, etc. Like I said this will be the first time I will be truly dedicating a tank to live plants even though i've had success with some of the more common species. I know I wrote a novel but to anybody who read this far I appreciate it! Laptop is busted so if it takes me a while to respond to anything I'm not ignoring anybody I promise! Thanks!
To start off the tank is a 20 long and will be filtrated by a Fluval 405, I already have cycled media ready to roll and will be starting it after christmas. For lighting I am planning on ordering a dual bulb 6500k T5 that is 48W and for substrate I am planning to use Seachem's Fluorite with some black gravel on top. As far as fish stocking as of now it will have 6 cory cats that survived my girlfriends tank and from there I'm still considering what to do.
What I really need suggestions on is a good front to back distribution of plants, I want it to have a fairly full look, thinking anubias in the foreground and maybe some grassy plants, swords or something a little larger in the back, and i'm not really sure on mid level plants, was reading maybe saggitarius of some kind may be good? I'm completely open to ordering some plants or trying new things, so if you have an idea please let me know it!
Any pictures of you guys tanks would be appreciated along with any input you want to give about types of plants, placing of plants, light cycles, fish stocking, whether any of the substrate sifting freshwater snails are a good idea, etc. Like I said this will be the first time I will be truly dedicating a tank to live plants even though i've had success with some of the more common species. I know I wrote a novel but to anybody who read this far I appreciate it! Laptop is busted so if it takes me a while to respond to anything I'm not ignoring anybody I promise! Thanks!
