New to planted tanks.

[Blue Bear]

I've wanted to do a planted tank for a couple years. But, I've never gotten around to it.
I've got a 20 gallon long tank laying around doing nothing. Thought I'd give it a try on a small scale.
What substrate/plants would you recommend? Looking for Low tech. Might get a some Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi.)

 

[bbortko]

I had good luck with crypts, anubias and swords using playsand as substrate and root tabs.

 

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

For a beginner I'd recommend going with 2" depth of miracle-gro organic choice potting mix (must be organic choice potting mix) simply because there's no pesticides or fertilizer mixed into it, and use 1/2" depth of play sand to cap the dirt. It's a good choice for newbies entering the planted tank world to go with, and plants love it!!! I'd say go with some anubias, crypts, swords, and java ferns for a low tech setup, but make sure to add enough plants to the tank because it'll decrease the chances for an algae outbreak. And remember to if you go this route to fill the tank slowly so you don't disturb the substrate, and cause the dirt to rise up into the tank.

Low tech when done right doesn't require much to maintain it, and you can go up to 6 months before doing a water change, as for lighting I'd recommend this one...

http://www.marineandreef.com/Aqualight_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_Coralife_p/res58021.htm


It's a normal output T5 fixture so it's not as intense as a T5HO fixture, and will do just fine for a low tech planted tank.

 

[Blue Bear]

Thanks for the recommendations. I actually have that same light fixture oddly enough. I'm probably heading to the pet store tomorrow to see what I can come up with. If not I will be ordering online.

 

[bbortko]

I had that fixture with the set up I mentioned previously, did a great job .

 

[HybridHerp]

Plants I'd recommend are easy ludwigia, java fern, mosses, crypts, swords, apongeton, red tiger lotus, banana plant, starogyne repens, anubias.

You can do a lot with low tech and have it be lush.