planted tanks?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

cmj15

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 14, 2007
1,047
0
0
Morgantown, West Virginia
hello i am knew to the idea of a planted tank, and i was wondering if i could get some help thanks

i need to know wha t substrate to use, what plants to use, and if my fish will create enough co2
 
ok i have a 20 long the inhabitants are 3 small bullheads less than 3" and sunrfish ranging from 1-3", i was wanting to know waht kind of plants will hold up to the abuse and what kind of fertilization, lighting, and co2 requirements they might have
 
i found what plants i want to put in it and they are harigrass and corkscrew val, and java fern which will be attached to a peice of drift wood, would this work or are they to fragile for my fish
 
Neither hairgrass nor vals will grow under your light. Stick to anubias, java ferns, and java moss.
 
cmj15;1166235; said:
i have a light that says it supports plant growth in freshwater and coral growth in saltwater
Click to expand...

Supports, sure. Sustains, no way.

Right, but like he said:

WyldFya;1165973; said:
Neither hairgrass nor vals will grow under your light.
Click to expand...

That light isn't going to grow either of them. Assuming you have the standard fluorescent lighting, it's practically irrelevant what it says on the box. It doesn't have enough intensity to grow those plants. You'll have to move to something stronger, compact fluorescents or T5's if you want foreground plants to grow.

You're best bet is lower-light plants, as mentioned: to anubias, java ferns, and java moss. You should also be ok with cryptocoryne species as well.
 
how much would it cost for a good light to grow the hairgrass, or what is another type of plant that makes a good carpet effect
 
Pretty much all 'carpet' plants require pretty good lighting. Cryptocorynes are foreground plants that don't need intense light, but they don't really carpet.

With good lighting, comes the need for CO2 and fertilizers.

So, you pretty much have to decide if you want to light with the setup, or go full out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom