Wanting to start a planted tank and need advice...

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

nedrog2010

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 12, 2012
7
0
0
Colorado
Hello, I am new to this site and this is my first post...I have a 30 gallon freshwater with 5 tiger barbs, 2 corys, and 1 CAE. already an established tank but i want to put some live plants into it. what do i need to get started? Open to any tips, suggestions, and advice with what type of plants and things of that nature.<br>
<br>
thanks guys!
 
What kind of lighting do you have? Your light detemines what kinds of plants you can keep.

I have mosses (christmas, flame, willow), ferns (java) and two swords (melon and one I'm not sure of). My lighting is low and they grow great but for amazon swords or higher light plants you need stronger lighting.

There's all sorts of things you can buy to help plants grow like flourish, root tabs, flourite and c02 setups.

Sent from my LGL55C using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
A great starter is always going to be Java ferns and various anubis's. They are very forgiving and can be grown in just about any lighting situation. Water sprite and many mosses are easily grown in a low tech tank as well. Oh course, you can buy a CO2 system and all the various gadgets for that stuff as well. A few ways to do it. It can be either very expensive or very simple, depending on your preferneces.


Sent from my iPod touch using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
I have low light on my 20 shrimp tank and i have xmass moss, java moss, fissidens, star grass, 2 types of valisneria, a sword, duckweed and some un id'd plant and all have had great growth. By low light i mean a stamdard hood modded to take larger 20 watt cfl bulbs
 
Thanks guys for all the tips! But I will get back to you on the lighting in a few. If needed i will get te right lighting to accommodate the plants but I think those hardier plants sound goo especially for my first time. I have gravel in my tank now would that affect the growth or would I need better substrate?
 
Gravel is best. I have sand and its a hassle to have plants in but it works out since the sand is easier to clean.

You could get flourite to mix with your gravel. Its a porous clay that contians elements beneficial to plants.

Sent from my LGL55C using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom