Newbie!! MTS but new to plants PLEASE HELP!

[Candi1990]

I have 7 running tanks. 5 fresh 2 new salts tanks and i just decided to do a planted. I have mastered almost freshwater and is now bored with it. Plants is something new.

Questions: what substrate is good?
What lighting is adequate?

I have a plant and aquarium bulb for my fluorescent hood is that sufficent? What wattage is needed for a30 gal tank?


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[FishCr8zy]

Substrates will depend on what plants you want to get. Most low light plants you can get away with just plain gravel/sand. For plants that rely on their roots for nutrients, you want to have a substrate that has the nutrients the plant needs. The fluorescent bulb you have came with the tank when you bought it, I'm guessing? If so, it will be very low light and only a few species of plants will be able to survive. So I recommend upgrading to a better fixture.
For a 30g, a finnex planted+ or a current satellite LED+ would get you to high end of low light or med light.


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[nshepler]

I do a dirted tank, with either sand on top or a darker round gravel.


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