Starting a planted tank

[Dutchz]

I have a 18watt lite 10 and 15 gal tanks. Fluorite, filter, and glass cannapy for both. Do i need any thing else? To grow easy beginner plants?

 

[Dutchz]

I also have a heater.

 

[aqua_chem]

I would recommend you pick up a good liquid fertilizer. Also, a liquid carbon supplement like Excel would be very beneficial though not required.


As far as plants go, you probably have low to medium light. This opens the door for the low light varieties such as crypts, anubias, or java fern. You can also experiment with more medium light plants such as water wisteria, anacharis, or vals, although they may be more hit-or-miss (and the last two won't be compatible with Excel).

 

[Rivercats]

Here's the link to a bunch of AA planted tank articles that might be of interest to you....
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f24/articles-to-help-with-the-planted-tank-83826.html.

 

[Dutchz]

I not sure if I will need fertlizer. Also what is the hardiest plant you know. My water is pretty bad 80ppm I mix it with ro water to get nitrates down

 

[Taiken5968]

I not sure if I will need fertlizer. Also what is the hardiest plant you know. My water is pretty bad 80ppm I mix it with ro water to get nitrates down[/QUOTE

Java ferns and java moss are really good and hardy low light plant. Also try swords.

 

[Dutchz]

I thought some one said sword suck up massive amounts of nutrients! And should I do this in a 10 or 15. I have both

 

[Taiken5968]

I thought some one said sword suck up massive amounts of nutrients! And should I do this in a 10 or 15. I have both

I haven't heard that, but you can always put in some root tabs or some liquid fertilizer.

 

[Dutchz]

Do you think if I did java moss I need liquid frets or frets at all?

 

[foster53]

Sword plants uptake most of their nutrients from their roots. Some stem plants are great nitrate users, such as Watersprite, and Hygros. Floating plants will also use up some excess nitrates.

 

[Taiken5968]

Do you think if I did java moss I need liquid frets or frets at all?

Probably not. That stuff grows Like crazy. You can tie it too drift wood or weight it down and make a carpet in the bottom.

 

[Dutchz]

Sound pretty cool any other suggestions on it?

 

[Taiken5968]

Sound pretty cool any other suggestions on it?

Bolbitis and water wisteria, are suppose to be good as well. I have some bolbitis it's a type of fern, and it's slow growing.

 

[Dutchz]

Got a pic

 

[Dutchz]

My light is a 15 watt t8 how is it

 

[Dutchz]

Also says full spectrum

 

[foster53]

Here are a few of the plants that might work for you.

 

[Dutchz]

Sorry I don't know names and I would like to know

 

[Taiken5968]

Here are a few of the plants that might work for you.

Great looking tank.

 

[Dutchz]

They are great looking