newbie to plants

[kimmi_7]

ok so I am not really new to fish keeping but am to plant keeping. Just have a couple of questions I need help with.

1) is using just gravel ok?
2) If not what type of planting product should i be using?
3) How many is too many??
4) what kind of light is best for a normal sitting on top of tank canopy for bright light plants??

I believe I am running a 8000k 15watt, daylight bulb right now. It came with the kit I bought, 36 gallons. Also do you have to use co2 with plants?

 

[BigJim]

1) Gravel is fine. Sand also works.
2) There are plant-specific substrates out there like EcoComplete and Flourite.
3) If you're referring to plants, as long as the fish have some room to swim, you're good.
4) If that's a 15W fluorescent bulb, you'll be hard pressed to keep your plants alive. Some low-light plants may survive, but that's about it. If that's a 15W incandescent bulb, replace it with a CFL. For high-light plants, you'll have to upgrade fixtures to something in the 100-150W range. T5HO fixtures would be a good way to go.

CO2 injection isn't necessary on a low-light tank, but pressurized CO2 injection is mandatory on a high-light tank.

 

[meegosh]

Just to add to what BigJim said... you can use whatever substrate you want. If you get heavy root feeders then you can add some root tabs to the substrate. I personally think EcoComplete is a waste of money but that is just my opinion. I have a high light, co2 injected tank with playsand and everything is thriving.

I would recommend starting out with a low light tank though. It is a lot easier to maintain and you don't have to worry about CO2 or fertilizers.

 

[Filbey]

I run a 15 watt light in my 30 gallon and my 5 live plants seem to do fine with just gravel and a little plant fert!!

 

[BigJim]

Water depth makes a big difference with a mediocre light. I run a pair of 18W CFLs on both my 20L and my 29g. The tanks have the same 30" x 12" footprint, but the 29g is 6" deeper. The 20L gets weekly trimmings to keep enough swimming space open. I can keep low-light plants in the 29g and they grow, but med-light plants struggle, especially if they're short.