NanoAddict

I am considering a plant only aquarium. I would like a series of steps that I can follow for set up, and some good plants I can grow that look nice and are easy to raise.

I have three tank options: a 20 long, a 10 gallon, and a 5 hex.

I plan on PLANTS ONLY and MAYBE some snails but no fish.

Please give me some tips if you can. Thanks

BigJoe

go to plantedtank.net/forums ... they will probably be more helpful... but in general it depends on plants you want to grow... 10g is pretty standard so i would go with that unless you really need something bigger for a lot of larger plants like java ferns... your biggest expense is going to be light and if you get enough light CO2 systems... they have a lot of low cost examples so try it out... i'd suggest adding fish or shrimp (lots of shrimp).... just for nitrates to have a source without additives... good luck... my 14g is tunring into a huge endeavor and all i had was 5 small plants...

NanoAddict

ok thanks, im thinking about just some low light plants, but not much in the way of fish.

i might look into amano shrimp or ghost shrimp or small snails

NanoAddict

so can my plants like touch and stuff

Beeker

Check out www.plantgeek.net
They have a lot of great info on many different plants. It is a very user-friendly website, and they have a forum as well.

MissMTS

You should space your plants out a little bit when you first plant them, but as they begin to grow in, they will touch eachother and look very lush Check out these before and after pics:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...sanctuary.html

(I thought the journal might be interesting to you because it is a very full tank and it looks like something that could be made into a very cool shrimp colony)

Here is a great article on aquascaping your planted tank:
http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/...-Technique/27/

Barbrella

I would go with the 20 gal. You may later decide you want fish, and that size tank will give you many more options.

MissMTS

I would also go with a 20 gallon. I think you should always get the biggest tank you can afford because it opens up more options for you.

NanoAddict

well i already have my ten gallon set up with 2 small pots of java fern so its too late to convert, plus my parents said i can only use a small tank.