want to start my first planted tank

[skools717]

ok so i just got a new 10 gallon from my lfs that was on sale for $45 and i decided its a great opportunity to try my first planted tank

im going to use this as substrate
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3746+4870&pcatid=4870 or http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3746+9087&pcatid=9087

the lighting it came with are two 15 watt bulbs, but i want to chancge the lighting because the bulbs i have give the water a orange tint but i want more natural lighting. And i dont know a whole lot about planted tanks. i hear you need Co2, how do i put it in the tank

 

[ktluvsfish]

Either substrate is a good choice. A planted tank does not necessarily need CO2, it depends on your lighting. All of my tanks have low/med lighting, so I do not need to use CO2. If you go with a single 15 watt strip light, you will be at 1.5 WPG, and won't need to use CO2. If you go with 30 Watts, you'll be at 3 WPG and CO2 will deffinetly be necessary. If you decide to go the low light option, there are plenty of great plants for you to look into: Java fern, java moss, crypts, anubias, water sprite, anarchis, sword plants, etc. IMO, these are great beginners plants for a first planted tank.

 

[gigas12]

Hi,good advice,I agree.

 

[velanarris]

Not trying to discourage you by any means but doing a small planted tank for your first is a lot harder than doing a large planted tank due to the amount of water available if you mess up or OD on a fertilization.

If you find the results discouraging at first, certainly don't worry about it and of course, post pics.

 

[Neophyte]

My very first tank was a 10 gallon planted with eco-complete with about 1.5WPG and I have to say that was the easiest tank ever, had a sword plant that ended up touching all four sides of the tank from the center and snails are your friends.

The only problems I ever had is when I went to a 29 gallon and tried to go higher tech went with 2.6WPG with T5HO lighting, injecting CO2, adding ferts, etc... I wasfor the first few months with like every type of algae till I found the right balance for my tank.

 

[skools717]

thanks for the info everybody

the thing is i wanted to do a 10 gallon because its less for the flourite as apposed to getting enough to fill my 120 gallon

 

[LBathory]

I agree with everyone, my first planted was a 10 gallon and it was easy and fun, however I would def go with the eco complete as a base. its way easier to work with and wont make your tank quite as cloudy as the florite.

 

[Yanbbrox]

My oscar tank was a planted discus tank and I used flourite, a year later I still have plants with nothing else, great substrate