Planting Density

[equinecpa]

I'm going to be buying live plants for my newly started 30 G Hex Aquarium. I don't have a clue how many plants to buy. I have read that they like to be pretty densely planted but don't you leave room for them to grow? Is there a guideline for planting density ie #plants/per inch? (I know this would be different for different plants but I don't have a clue so it would be a start.

Here's what I am looking at buying:

Valisneria Spiralis
Watersprite
Moneywort
Anubias Nana
Java Fern

Anyone care to point me in the right direction?

Carolyn

 

[malkore]

what lighting is over this 30G hex tank?
Hex tanks are 'tall', and require more lighting than a standard tank. You've not selected any insanely high light plants, but if you've only got a 20watt bulb, even moneywort, watersprite and vals aren't gonna survive that.

 

[equinecpa]

100w metal halide...I'm hoping that will do it? So how much of each do I need to buy?

Carolyn

 

[malkore]

this is just my opinion:
10 vals (background, or infront of moneywort)
1 pot of watersprite (background or mid)
1-2 bunches of moneywort (background)
3 java fern (foreground)
1 anubias nana (foreground or center piece)

that won't be dense planting at first, but stuff will spread, mainly vals and moneywort (replant pruned tops of moneywort)

 

[equinecpa]

Thanks that's what I was looking for ...a guideline

Carolyn