First aquarium - planted or not ?

[resist-]

Hi everyone !

I’m glad i found this board so I could ask all my questions about fishkeeping. I have absolutely no experience, and i’m currently planning to but my first aquarium. Thanks to your site, i understood the importance of fishless cycling.

I will soon get either a 33 gallons or 20 gallons aquarium kit (hagen brand). But now i’m just wondering if planted aquarium care is much more difficult for a newbie like me. If i add plants, that’s gonna be low light ones for sure.

So do you think guys this is a good idea to start my fishless cycles with a few low light plants ? Do i need a special filter to have plants ? Is the standard lighting sold in these starter kits enough ? Any tips about the easiest plants to maintain ?


Or should I simply forget about plants until I get more experience ?

Thanks for your help

[ManInAHat73]

Welcome to AA! I'm currently planning my first planted tank so I might not be able to help you out much with this, but there are some plant gurus here. I would try checking the Planted Tanks. You'll be able to find anything you need there.

Any plan for stock yet?

[resist-]

Thanks for all your useful responses, you guys rock !

Originally Posted by ManInAHat73

Any plan for stock yet?

Not yet, i'm currently planning the equipment set up first. I'll choose the fish while cycling. But we can exchange ideas if you'd like.

Originally Posted by mgamer20o0

might want to check out craigslist see if something comes up

I considered getting used equipement off the web, but it's pretty hard for a newbie to know if it is in good state. I've seen different kinds of filter as well, which is kinda confusing for me. Any quick tips about choosing the good type of filter ? i'll take a quick look at the lfs just to be sure...

Originally Posted by fisch

As for the aquarium I'd get the larger size if you can.

I think that's true. I'll try to go as big as i can afford


For the plants, if I understand well, I just need to get either java moss, java fern, or anbias, and get 1 watt/gal of lightning. Should I worry about algae ?

[mgamer20o0]

might want to check out craigslist see if something comes up i often see bigger set ups for less then the price of the kit.

plants are not that hard once you understand them. each plant needs a minimal amount of light. where most people have problems is they dont have much light to start with or get lights that over power the tank and cause problems. once you figure out what you will be getting then figure out what kind of lighting you want.

plants speed up the cycle so the sooner you add them the better. they dont need a special filter. some times the lighting sold in the starter kits is enough it just depends. on a tank like a 20 gallon i would get one with a incandescent hood and put cfl bulbs in it.

anubias moss java ferns crypts are the lowest light plants you can get.

[fisch]

Welcome to AA.
I think its a good idea to go with a few low light plants to start. Java moss, Java fern, anubias are all pretty hardy and easy to keep low light plants.

I'm not familiar with the aquarium kits but generally the light levels are meant for viewing. You'll want to get around 1 watt per gallon of light. Just check the wattage on the package. Make sure they are fluorescent lights too. Sometimes they come with incandescent but those can easily be switched out with screw in fluorescent. Pretty cheap too.

As for the aquarium I'd get the larger size if you can. I'm not a big fan of the kits. Many times you can get better equipment for about the same price of cheaper if you buy the components separately. But my first few aquariums were kits. It is much easier starting out.

[Mystery]

I think plants make thing a little easier rather than harder, especially the hardy plants lready mentioned.

[fisch]

As far as filters go, Hang on back (HOB) style is probably the best bang for your buck. They are pretty good at filtering and easy to maintain. I like canister filters better but they cost a lot more. I'd stay away from undergravel or sponge filters. They work fine, but IMO they don't look as nice and produce more noise.

Algae is an issue that almost always comes up in any tank, planted or unplanted. Most of the time its not a big issue. Plants will actually help outcompete the algae for nutrients so they will help. Best bet to combat algae is regular water changes, avoid direct and indirect sunlight, and buy a timer for your lights.

[joy13]

Something to keep in mind with the kits the products in them aren't probably the quality you will want in the long run and will need to be switched out.

[Barnature]

Plant all your plants BEFORE you put fish in the tank becuase it scares them and a lot of little plant pieces go every were in the tank until it settles down. It might be a lot of money but then it's over and you have a natural looking tank.
Hope this helps!

[resist-]

Everything seems clear now, there's no reason not to have plants ! I'll definitely get some for my first tank