Question time! I have my gravel substrate right now. I remember seeing something about special plant substrate. Could I remove all the gravel, add 1 bag of this plant stuff, amd then put the gravel back on top of it? Second question-Would an Aqueon T8 25W bulb work for plants? Link for light-
http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=fis...d36-16448/cat-36-catid-300073?var_id=36-16448 Question 3-what are some good basic plants that are low maintenance and do not require Co2? Question 4- would fish poop provide some fertilizer? Question 5-What are rooot tabs and are they necessary if I am not running Co2? That should cover some basics.
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1. If you're going to change out the substrate you might as well change out all of it. Adding gravel on top means the gravel and the plant substrate are going to migrate and you're going to end up with very spotty look anyway.
I would just pick a nice substrate in a color you like and go with that. You can use for floraMax or another planted substrate. Or you can use a nice colored sand and root tabs for the plants , which is what I have.
2. A T8 bulb is extremely low light. You can grow some plants under that. You would be limited in your choices to things like Java ferns and Anubias, which are nice plants and some of the easiest to grow. But you would have to change out your light if you want to grow much else.
3. Java Ferns
Anubias
Crypts
Moss Balls
4. Fish poop will provide some fertilizer but not enough. Plan to add fertilizer at least once a week after water changes and root tabs every 4 months or so if you plan to try Crypts.
You can start with Seachem flourish comprehensive and API leave Zone if you want to start with liquid ferts, later on it will be cheaper to go with dry fertilizers. Don't fear the fertilizers they aren't scary.
5. Root Tabs are for heavy root feeders like Crypts and Swords. They are necessary if you want those type of plants.
CO2 increases plant growth, but you need to balance light and ferts or it won't help.
I run low light low tech tanks. I use liquid carbon boosters like Glut or Excel but I have small tanks.
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