10g Planted LF Advice/Thoughts

[Aquarist27]

This is my first ever attempt at having an aquarium and i'm starting small that way I can maximize learning while minimizing the colateral damage to plants and fish alike. I'm mostly here because of the amazing planted tanks and am hoping to move up to a 55g Biotope tank if everything goes well

I started the tank off with a base of flourite with regular gravel over that at about 2.5 Inches total. I have a piece of driftwood and a few plants so far and I ran the tank for a little over a week before I stocked and I know thats not quite as long as I should have but at this point its in all almost 5 weeks old and I have noticed some measurable growth in the plants (mostly the anubias that is attached to the DW) I had the water tested today and the ammonia was a little high but there were nitrates. So now I'm really interested in having more of a carpeted plant feel to the tank and was looking for any advice on how its doing

For the light I have a single 18" T8 15watt Actinic Bluelight by "CoralLife" And it says it is for obviously saltwater coral but promotes photosynthesis is this good/bad??

 

[josh7]

If you want a carpet type plant go with java moss grows quickly and grows out a fast carpet. It just makes plants grow faster if it promotes photosynthesis which is a good thing

 

[Aquarist27]

I was thinking about this but does anyone have any experience with it?
Aquarim plants - aquatic plants - java moss - Fissidens - Fissidens splachnobryoides

 

[josh7]

I have experience the easiest plant to grow probably in aquaria

 

[gabysapha]

Just google java moss and you will see how common and versatile (and messy) it is! I would choose a different kind of moss if I had to choose a first kind, like christmas moss. Java moss gets so ugly sometimes. But definitely worth having! I just learned that other types of moss are prettier and cleaner

 

[Aquarist27]

Added a few ghost shrimp

 

[Aquarist27]

Current readings. Ph is a Little high

 

[Aquarist27]

Just noticed what I think is a baby danio! Tiny little guy is swimming around at the top of my tank! Any idea why only one?

So small