Plant Noob looking for advice

[aggressor09]

Hi all,

Had a catastrophe in my 125 gallon, lost 2 fish that used to tear up anything that I tried to plant. The lone survivor is a polypterus senegalus on the smaller side, about 8". Water parameters are good.
I was thinking about trying to plant out my tank, and I am here to ask some general starter advice. I have kept some easy plants before, but I am no expert at all.
It is a deep acrylic tank. The lighting that I have is 2 48" flourescents mounted to a reflector that is mounted to the tank canopy. I also have a dual 48" striplight that I could use if necessary. Bulbs are basic cause I have never really kept plants.
The tank has an incorporated sump, I use a HOT mangnum for additional mechanical filtration and water flow, and I have a pump that runs an approximately 15" inch bubble wand. There are also multiple pieces of driftwood and and other types of wood in the tank.
I was wondering a few things...

• Proper substrate? I currently have small gravel with some large pebble/gravel mixed in. I was considering a switch to sand but I do not know how this would work with plants.
• Good starter plants that are manageable to trim and maintain?
• Necessary supplements and CO2?
• Any good taller plants that are good for newbies?
• Recommended lighting?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[oOMO3NOo]

having a sump adding co2 is not your best bet as most will just get gassed off from water agitation in the sump. but most low light low care plants will do fine in a set up with out co2 or a huge amount of light. (although will do better with more light) those plants are anubias, java fern and amazon swords are the basics.

 

[aggressor09]

having a sump adding co2 is not your best bet as most will just get gassed off from water agitation in the sump. but most low light low care plants will do fine in a set up with out co2 or a huge amount of light. (although will do better with more light) those plants are anubias, java fern and amazon swords are the basics.

Thanks alot. Should I use any supplments for the plants?
The wood I have in there already has moss growing on it and the last time I put plants in they grew and spread out quite well (dont remember what type) but my fish ripped them apart. Some of the large pebbles in the tank actually have moss on them as well.
Sorry I'm rambling...Any supplements I should use for the anubias, java, or amazons?

Thanks alot

 

[oOMO3NOo]

you should be fine without adding anything considering its a low light low co2 tank. adding much could cause algea problems. but excel would be a good thing to add. you dont have to do it every day caz that can get pricey but everynow and then it wont hurt (its a carbon suppliment that acts like co2 for plants) but you shouldnt even need to do that the fish alone should produce enough waste for fertz.

 

[aggressor09]

you should be fine without adding anything considering its a low light low co2 tank. adding much could cause algea problems. but excel would be a good thing to add. you dont have to do it every day caz that can get pricey but everynow and then it wont hurt (its a carbon suppliment that acts like co2 for plants) but you shouldnt even need to do that the fish alone should produce enough waste for fertz.

Ok, right now I am running recessed lighting and I dont want the plants to die.
I am running a 36" single strip with an actinic bulb on a 5 foot long tank. I also have a seperate 24" single with an actinic bulb (used to keep marine and brackish). I have 2 dual 48" strips but I dont want to scare or stress the fish...
You think I should make any changes here?
Thanks alot.

 

[oOMO3NOo]

change the bulbs for sure actinic usually grows more algea then plants. you should look for a bulb between 5000k and 10000k not actinic that is the best usable light for plants. people say 10k will bring the fish color out more but its just personal preference. since you are using basic floresent (not high output) lights the wattage per gallon rule is going to give you a good idea of what plants you can keep. i think like 1-2 wpg is low light but do some research on this site there are a few threads about what watage are considered high mid and low range. hope that helps

 

[aggressor09]

change the bulbs for sure actinic usually grows more algea then plants. you should look for a bulb between 5000k and 10000k not actinic that is the best usable light for plants. people say 10k will bring the fish color out more but its just personal preference. since you are using basic floresent (not high output) lights the wattage per gallon rule is going to give you a good idea of what plants you can keep. i think like 1-2 wpg is low light but do some research on this site there are a few threads about what watage are considered high mid and low range. hope that helps

great thanks alot, ill update once i can afford

 

[aggressor09]

Scrapped my old lighting fixtures, rigged 2 48" dual strip lights under the hood of the aquarium. Running 2 flourescent housebulbs (its horrible, i know) and 2 day-spectrum bulbs that i bought awhile ago but never used. All of the bulbs are 40watts. Looking to upgrade bulbs soon but i have no $$$
My little pleco completely destroyed most of my huge amazon sword. I have one left that it doesnt go near though, but its browning a little bit.
Hornwort is growing like crazy and overtaking the tank, but i am trimming it so its ok.

 

[oOMO3NOo]

thats good. and you can take the hornwort trimmings and replant them and they will grow a second plant so you could get a good bush going if you wanted.