Argentis Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 (edited) Hi guys, I'm curious about live plants. I've been keeping fish off and on for 10+ years, and would like to try them out. In the past, I've kept large cichlids (oscar & friends), so live plants weren't really something I thought about, since I assumed they'd become the salad bar. Now, I'm restarting with a more peaceful setup, and want to see if I can keep a few plants. I have a few java ferns, and some watersprite in my tank right now, that seem to be doing ok, but it's only been about a week. Now, can I add a few more java ferns, some moss, and some other low light species to my tank without too much trouble? I have a 20g tank with the standard 15w bulb (I think it's a power glo, but can't remember for sure). What other plants will do well in my tank without more light CO2, etc. I don't mind investing some cash later on if this goes ok, but right now, I don't have too much money to sink into this. Also, I'm going to the March 9th auction, are there any plant species I should keep an eye out for? Thanks in advance, Argentis Edit: Are there any "Plants for dummies" books or websites out there? Most of the sites I see seem to be pretty advanced and technical. Edited February 15, 2008 by Argentis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrie Lee Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Mini Encyclopedia Aquarium Plants by Peter Hiscock I find that as a total newbie this guide was easy to read and understand. It also has lots of pretty pictures, which I like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Read thru the pinned threads in the Planted Forum. For your tank, you could add some Cryptocoryne spp. C. wendtii is quite common, and will do well for you. Most swords will do OK in your tank as well. Don't expect a lot of growth, tho. Low light will keep the plants green, but it doesn't give them enough energy to grow a lot. The best way to get the most enjoyment out of a low light tank is to put the plants where you want them, and leave them alone for months... even more than a year. If you plant 'em and forget 'em, you'll be surprised about how well they fill in after a while. The easiest way to grow plants, IMO, is using the Estimative Index method - it's explained briefly in the last article in the Articles Pin. Get a 4' tank, and pick up some 2-strip shop lights from Home Depot ($20 ea w. lights). Your biggest expense (for set-up) will be a CO2 source - once you have that, you'll be able to grow just about anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 A great 'plants for dummies' website: Beginner Basics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argentis Posted February 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Thanks for the replies guys. Now I've got some stuff to go through. With this tank, I don't know if I'll be upgrading anything, but I'm looking to get my 60g tank repaired and another 75g+ tank in the next year or two. I've gotten to thinking, what is the "path" of upgrades with plants? I've read that you don't have to worry about CO2 until you get more lighting. Where does fertilizer fit into this? I can see the trace elements being useful, since the plants may not get some of that stuff otherwise. But, it it a waste unless you're using a regular fertilizer? My tank is going to be well stocked with fish, when I have them all in there, so I think I'll have the major plant food covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 IME, the most rewarding way to grow a planted tank is to go whole-hog. You should be able to get your whole tank ready to go for around $250 if you're resourseful - definitely less than $350. Your highest espense will be pressurized CO2 - once you try it, you will never want to do DIY again! Again, a 4' tank is the easiest b/c lighting is UBER cheap. However, if you have a smaller tank - say up to 30 gal. You can go "high tech" w/o CO2 - use Seachem Excel at just above the recommended dosage. Note that Excel will kill Valisnera, Riccia, and a couple other plants, but does great with most plants. Find a source of dry ferts from an hydroponics store (check the EI article for ferts needed). Go for about 2-4 watts of light per gallon. Start with fast-growing plants. They'll cut out any cycling, so you can also add your fish right away, too. As your tank matures, you can switch out some of the fast-growers for plants you really like. Have plants, have fun!! :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argentis Posted February 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 Jason, I can see where you're coming from, but I don't have an extra $250-350 right now. I also don't have the space for a 4' tank right now. I appreciate your enthusiasm about plants, but I guess that's what I'm trying to find out if I like plants before I go and shell out a bunch of cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayen Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 What exactly is your budget? I agree with others, i've read that crypts are great low light choices. Also quick and easy way to upgrade lighting is to somehow rig those screw in spiral bulbs into the hood or something.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 Just start saving up for a CO2 system - it can be as cheap as $125. In the mean time, just use Excel as a carbon source. If you're less than 2 wpg, then you can easily stick w. 1/2 the dose on the bottle. As mentioned, Crypts will be great. Same w. swords and Val/Sagitaria. The Val will be fine as long as you don't exceed the recomended dose. Jason, I can see where you're coming from, but I don't have an extra $250-350 right now. I also don't have the space for a 4' tank right now. I appreciate your enthusiasm about plants, but I guess that's what I'm trying to find out if I like plants before I go and shell out a bunch of cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatureNut Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 If you want to keep it simple, you can have success with little effort, I believe. I have a 30gallon tank with a basic hood and 20W light over it and a sand substrate. I use wisteria, tons of little crypts, java moss, java fern, hygrophilia, anubis and amazon swords. I know I'm forgetting something in there. I have problems with hair algae since I got some fern from someone that had it on it. Before that I had no problems at all with this. I just pluck it off when it gets bad and call it filter media. I just put some flourish tabs in when I picked up the swords a few weeks back. Prior to that I wasn't doing anything but water changes. I KNOW I could do heaps more with CO2 and and and and, but the simple life is for me. If you're interested in what it can look like, let me know and I'll post pics. I've been afraid to before now because I KNOW it doesn't compare to the plant pros. I've had this tank running for about 1 1/2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argentis Posted February 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 Thanks for the reply NatureNut. That's the sort of info I'm looking for in this topic. I've done a bit of browsing on this and other forums, and it seemed to me that plants can't be kept unless you have 2+ watts per gallon for light, using an extensive fertilizer regime, and CO2. I'm not sure if I have a green thumb or not, and wouldn't mind finding out. I'll have a go with some low light plants, and see how that goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayen Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 Another option, is if you're scared , is that low tech tanks have much more room for error and are generally much more inexpensive, try looking into that as well if you're interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Chicklets Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 I have a planted 75 gallon tank with a single 38 watt 48" flourescent grow bulb, traction sand substrate, and it is planted. It all depends on the type of plants you want to grow and how fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 IME, the most rewarding way to grow a planted tank is to go whole-hog. You should be able to get your whole tank ready to go for around $250 if you're resourseful - definitely less than $350. Your highest espense will be pressurized CO2 Less than $350, eh? I would say that depends heavily on one's penchant for technological gadgetry. My hog wouldn't be whole without a pH controller, MH lights, auto top off... :w00t: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 17, 2008 Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 Yeah, I meant plant the whole tank... not really all the tech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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