I want to set up a 20 Gallon to be fully planted ..any suggestions or advice would be helpful .....
Suggestions needed on what i need
- Thread starter SnakeHeadGuy
- Start date
Depends what plants, if you want glosso and HC; you might want to look at around an 80-90 watt light fixture with CO2 injection plus start researching the needs of ferts. If you just want anubias, crypts, hygros, etc. Get a 30-40 watt light, some SeaChem Excel and Flourish and you're good to go.
There are 2 types of planted tanks, low tech (low wattage lights, little or no fertilizers, little or no CO2) and high tech tanks (high wattage lights, fertilizers, nutrient enryched substrate, and CO2). Fertilizers can be liquid or dry ferts.
High tech tanks
Pros: Plant growth and a large selection of plants, therefore, more maintenance, such as trimming. Possible on a weekly basis.
Cons: Cost, due to upgrading lights, electric bill for the high wattage lights, ferts, and CO2.
Low tech tanks
Pros: Plant growth is very little. Cheap.
Cons: Little selection in plants.
I have 2 low tech planted tanks, 20 gallon long and 29 gallon tank. I just use regular sand substrate, no fertilizers, low watt lights (<2 wpg), no CO2. I also just feed the fish/shrimp in the tank and perform water changes. I do not perform any gravel cleanings, because all the mulm that builds up is a nutrient source for the plants. Plants the shrimps seem to love it as well.
High tech tanks
Pros: Plant growth and a large selection of plants, therefore, more maintenance, such as trimming. Possible on a weekly basis.
Cons: Cost, due to upgrading lights, electric bill for the high wattage lights, ferts, and CO2.
Low tech tanks
Pros: Plant growth is very little. Cheap.
Cons: Little selection in plants.
I have 2 low tech planted tanks, 20 gallon long and 29 gallon tank. I just use regular sand substrate, no fertilizers, low watt lights (<2 wpg), no CO2. I also just feed the fish/shrimp in the tank and perform water changes. I do not perform any gravel cleanings, because all the mulm that builds up is a nutrient source for the plants. Plants the shrimps seem to love it as well.
Ok ty very much you too ..and if anyone else has anything to add or too watch out for would be good ty you again
you can grow any thing with a 50 watt fixture. make sure the bulds are 6700k. you can add Co2 if your getting HC of stuff like that. do some research on fertilizing. i use flourish made by seachem in my tanks.