Beth1965

I've got my 55 gall tank full and cycling. Is is safe to add many (6 or more??) plants at once? No fishes yet.
Thanks, and I have learned soooo much from these forums!

jack--sos

it should be safe if the tank is still cycling.

agabr123

definitely

what kinds of plants were you looking at?

Jonah

Its not only safe it is a boost to the cycle

Beth1965

wonderful, maybe i'll even get more. but i know they can grow quickly. going to check some out tomorrow. ive looked on line but prefer to see the real thing. i would like some reddish color along with green.
any tips on getting slate or stone to form something. meaning, "sticking" sticking them together? using either slate or stone to form steps.

Nate McFin

Use aquarium silicone to glue rocks together. Much safer for the fish than stacking as well.
Sounds like a fun project make sure and post some pics when you are done!

tom28

id also try to maybe get a peice of bogwood and tie them on to that with some string. It takes a little while but the plants eventually get stuck on to the wood and you can cut the string off or just let it decompose naturally...takes a bit longer though. if you do decide to do that do it with a colour string that doesnt show up like black or brown just for a nicer look while they get their root. it may take a couple months or so but different plants different speeds. how much light are you planning on putting on them? it sort of depends/limits what plants you can put in the tank. id first figure that out. heres a link for that

here is a short form with basic break down as to what level WPG = what level of light as commonly accepted

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Tech/Lighting/

differing levels for differing tanks
this table is adjusted to achive the desired level of light "watts/m2"
and accounts for the breakdown in smaller and larger tanks.
IE a 10g to achive lowlight needs 2.4 WPG the same level in a 50g = 1.4
etc.

once you get the lighting down see what you can possibly plant, this website will help a bit

http://www.plantgeek.net/

then id write a list of things that you like the look of and go to your store and see what they have since not all places have the best selection. my sugestion is that dont by something at first just find out what they have. if you didnt find it on that website then check out the rest of the web. once you have a good list id break them up to background, foreground mid ext.. then draw a plan of what you want your aquarium to look like with the plants that are avaliable to you as well as the other decor you have.

I know that all seams like a lot for just wanting to get some plants in but it gives you a much nicer look in the end and you at least have an idea of what your going for vs crazy wildness... on that note i may look up some other 55 gal setups to see what you like out there and take some ideas.

sorry for the book but i wish i had done so, but then again all depends on what type of look your going for.

oh and some nice redish colour plant is sunset hygro its not fully red but nice touch
and heres a link for that and some people comments

http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_Hy...Rosanervig.php

....sorry for the book.
best of luck with the new tank, should be a fun one.

tom

Nate McFin

Nice post Tom.
It is all too easy to just grab whatever plants they have and throw them in. Been there,done that.
Take your time, research, and plan.

SWilkins

Check this out. I have not tried it yet but I have looked at some of the other ones people have done and WOW what some results. I really need to do this on my 75 since I cannot decide what/how/where to plant anything in there.
http://www.theaquatools.com/aquasketcher

Beth1965

To all, Thanks for all the help, I have been trying to draw what i want, not working too well. I am going to try putting rocks together to make what I want and see how that works. I'm forturnate enough to have access to as much quartz and slate (and a lot of other rock of which I don't know its safe zone yet).
Still haven't purchased plants yet, haven't gotten to the store I want to check out.