Tropical Fish Tank and Aquarium Information

Go Back   Fish Lore Tropical Fish and Aquarium Forum > Freshwater Aquarium Fish Forum > More Freshwater Aquarium Topics > Aquarium Plants

Aquarium Plants Forum - Articles: Freshwater Aquarium Plants, Keeping Aquarium Plants, Aquarium Plants

Join Fish Lore Aquarium Forum

Search Fish Lore Facebook 
Google+
Twitter


Aquarium Forum
General
Welcome To FishLore
Using the Forum
General Discussion
Members Fish Tanks
Photos and Videos
Member Photos
Member Videos
Freshwater Aquarium Forum
Freshwater Beginners
Freshwater Equipment
More Freshwater Topics
Freshwater Fish & Inverts
Ponds
Saltwater Aquarium Forum
Saltwater Beginners
Saltwater Equipment
More Saltwater Topics
Saltwater Fish & Inverts
Member Blogs
Member Blogs
Misc. Topics
Reviews
Aquarium Fish Clubs
Buy, Sell, Trade
Fish Profiles
Freshwater Fish
Saltwater Fish
Fish Forum Archives
Closed Thread
 
Fish Forum Thread Tools
Old April 25th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
A few questions about starting a somewhat planted tank...

I just got a 10 gallon with a lighted hood, and was thinking about putting some plants in. The hood has room for 2 bulbs (25 watts max on each side), so I'm assuming that means I have 50 watts in a 10 gallon? I have just plain-jane gravel for a substrate, and I'm looking for some low light, low maintenance plants. Any suggestions besides Java Moss? Thanks,

Cory

EDIT: The fish will be a betta, maybe 2 or 3 Cory's
KonaBoy is offline  
Old April 25th, 2008  
Fish Helper
 
I have a 10 gallon I use those compact fluorescent bulbs in. The cheap walmart ones that look like a curly pig tail, they are 13 watt. I find they are cheaper to use, and cooler, don't get the soft white ones just the regular ones. I can grow najas, small swords like chain sword, sagittaria, watersprite, java fern, pearl weed and hornwort. I have others in there I am not for sure what they are but they seem to be doing well too. You can use root tabs for fertilizer if you need to. I use sand (cheap play sand) as a substrate or fluorite. If you use sand there is a few tips you might need like anaerobic pockets you will have to push something down into the sand to release the gases (hydrogen sulfide I think is what it is) that build up. Also when you change water use a plastic lid to make the water diffuse so you aren't stirring it up to get in the gills of the fish. I use it on the tanks with fluorite or gravel as well so I don't disturb the plants.
joy613 is offline  
Old April 25th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
Ok, I will get those lights (need new ones anyway). Is there any plants I can grow using just gravel as a substrate? Thanks,

Cory
KonaBoy is offline  
Old April 27th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
I also have about 25 watts on my 10 gallon tank it that works great.

Your plants will grow in plain gravel. But it must be deep enough - at least 1 1/2 to 3" deep for good root growth.

I use Flourish Excel to fertilize.
Barbrella is offline  
Old April 27th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
What kinds of plants do you have Barbrella?
KonaBoy is offline  
Old April 27th, 2008  
Fish Keeper
 
I have Elodea, cryptocornes, pennywort, wisteria, water sprite, Alternanthera (which is not doing so well), Java fern, a sword plant and anubias.

The elodea and cryptocornes are doing exceptionally well!

If you're planning to have corys, keep your smooth gravel substrate, as the Flourite has too many jagged edges for them, IMO.
Barbrella is offline  
Closed Thread

Fish Forum Thread Tools

Fun Fish and Aquarium Games!
Fish Tycoon
Fish Tycoon
Insaniquarium - Insane Aquarium
Insaniquarium
Insane Aquarium
Jenny's Fish Shop
Jenny's
Fish Shop
FishCo
FishCo!


Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads
Thread Fish Forum
Some Low-Light Planted Tank Light Questions Lighting
Planted Tank Substrate questions Aquarium Plants
Starting a planted freshwater aquarium Aquarium Plants
Im starting a cichlid tank wooo!!! i have questions Cichlids
Cycling a Planted Tank - some questions Aquarium Plants



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.3.2 © 2009, Crawlability, Inc.
© Fish Lore.com - providing tropical fish tank and aquarium information for freshwater fish and saltwater fish keepers