Planted tank

[haus]

My mts is getting out of hand now, but I like the look of a planted tank. I have been inspired by some of the awesome tanks that have been posted. Is a CO2 diffuser neccessary for a planted tank? Besides a filter and heater, is there any other equipment that is NEEDED. I have a 29 gal community tank with 2 angels, 2 dwarf gouramis, 2 corys, and a silver dollar. There is a Penguin 330 for a filter and a bubble screen across the back. I really don't want to buy any more equipment. I have a SW tank and I have an empty 30 gal that will be a reef, so money is TIGHT, as is space to put all these tanks. Any help is appreciated.

 

[malkore]

moved to planted forum

I suggest you start by reading the stickies at the top of the planted forum page.

 

[flamingonhot]

Basicly if you don't want an expensive one all you would really need is the plants and good lighting. I really would only use a co2 diffuser if you had a big tank and a whole lot of plants. My 10 gal planted is just fine,all i use to help the plants are additives. Im using tetra-flora, not only does it make your plants grow twice as fast but it also makes them much greener and for some fish it changes theyre color a bit. Don't know why but i also have a silver dollar ( getting rid of) and instead of being silver now its a yellowish green color and its fins are pinkish red.

 

[Jchillin]

Hopefully you've read the sticky's and have a grasp on what is involved with a planted tank.

With the equipment you have now, the only problem would be with your existing light strip. You can do a nice low-light, low-maintenance tank but you need at minimum 1wpg. The tanks that probably caught your eye are significantly higher in wattage (@ 2wpg or more) and in that event, CO2 injection/diffusing is a neccessity as well as the addition of ferts.

 

[haus]

No I didn't read the stickys . BUT I will, as soon as I am done writing this.

 

[Elmware]

You silver dollar will chomp on the plants. I kinda consider them to be like vegetarian paranahs.