Planted advice

[ColtsGuy77]

Hello, I've never had life plants and I'm trying to envision my new 55 with live plants. are they much work, what kind of substrate can I do them in and is sand a possibility. Any advice welcomed

 

[molly100a]

I've had a freshwater tank since 1999 and recently switched to planted tanks, I now have a 56gal, 29gal and 5.5 gal. It's actually easier since the plants keep the amonia at 0, and much more appealing. I would recommend Eco compete since you don't have to rinse this substrate, this is what I have in my 56gal.

In my 29gal I uses Floramax and had to rinse repeatedly. It still clouds up if I move plants. In my 5.5 I have eco complete. I did invest in t5 lights but recently added a 150w shop light from Home Depot to my 56 gal and the plants have doubled in size.

Also I only run a dyi co2 occasionally on my 56gal. I do use Sechem Ferts and Iron, make a big differance as the leaves don't turn yellow.

 

[Atxpunx]

There's a lot of threads about starting a planting tank on here. U can use inert gravel or sand. Some people prefer sand. I use regular landscaping gravel or lava rock. There are a few plants out there that are care free or easy. Do a search and then tell us what your thinking

 

[mfdrookie516]

I would recommend Eco compete since you don't have to rinse this substrate, this is what I have in my 56gal.

In my 29gal I uses Floramax and had to rinse repeatedly. It still clouds up if I move plants. In my 5.5 I have eco complete.

You must have floramax and flourite confused... since floramax and eco complete are the same substrate... floramax just doesn't have the bacteria in it.

 

[molly100a]

Your right, I used Florite which I rinsed repeatedly