Help me start my first planted tank?

[gazelle]

Hey guys,
I'm planning on starting a planted tank in a 15g I just picked up. I plan on getting a 2 x 65 watt fixture for it but not sure if the LFS still has it. But ANYWAYS

what kind of plants and fish should I do? I'm new to planted tanks and Kind of want something simple.

Thanks

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Anacharis, anubias nana, java moss, java fern, wisteria, cryptocoryne sp., hornwort are all easy plants IMO.

 

[gazelle]

Anacharis, anubias nana, java moss, java fern, wisteria, cryptocoryne sp., hornwort are all easy plants IMO.

whats the easiest kind of plant that makes a carpet?

 

[AllFishAdrian]

Youre using far too much lighting. I use 2-3 watts per gallon. Youre using about 6 (not gonna actually calculate). Just get a fixture with two 15 watt bulbs, a red sea co2 system for around 30 dollars. Get total tabs from aquariumplants.com and you can do whatever plants you want.

 

[kingkarter]

Anacharis, anubias nana, java moss, java fern, wisteria, cryptocoryne sp., hornwort are all easy plants IMO.

x2

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Easiest carpet plant is Dwarf Hairgrass. I would add excel atleast when trying to grow this.

 

[gazelle]

Easiest carpet plant is Dwarf Hairgrass. I would add excel atleast when trying to grow this.

what about c02?or just excel?

 

[Pyramid_Party]

C02 is better.

 

[VNCNT]

130 watts of light is a lot for a 15g tank that is only 12" tall... you would have to inject quite a bit of co2 and ferts to keep things in line... maybe go with 1 65 watt light or a t5ho fixture with 2 24w bulbs... if you insist on that 2x65w fixture, you might have to suspend it pretty high above your take to decrease the light intensity...

a lot of people like to use co2 w/ excel to fight off algae.

hairgrass is a good starter carpet plant. glosso seems pretty easy too...

 

[gazelle]

whats the best c02 system to buy? or do you guys recomned diy?