Getting Plants for tanks(no experience with live plants)

As you all have said, there's more than one way to find success in this hobby. Here was one of my 20-gallon tanks I was experimenting with:


This tank had CO2, soil substrate, root tabs, and more than 3X the recommended doses of liquid fertilizers...still worked.

I've come to think that the lower energy, low maintenance tanks are actually more difficult to succeed with. Perhaps they're a narrower road to walk, or perhaps I fiddle with things too much; but I find richly fertilized tanks easier pull off.

Since you both have experience with planted tanks, what do you guys do with all the extra growth? I've kinda let my 20 gallon turn into a veritable jungle with all the extra java fern and java moss creating a messy look but I wouldn't mind removing it if it wasn't wasted.

My local fish shop gives me store credit for all the plants I give them. It's nice to be able to set up a new tank on store credit.

 

As you all have said, there's more than one way to find success in this hobby. Here was one of my 20-gallon tanks I was experimenting with:
View attachment 866435

This tank had CO2, soil substrate, root tabs, and more than 3X the recommended doses of liquid fertilizers...still worked.

I've come to think that the lower energy, low maintenance tanks are actually more difficult to succeed with. Perhaps there's a narrower road to walk, or perhaps I fiddle with things too much; but I find richly fertilized tanks easier pull off.

I've never tried a higher tech planted tech simply because I am newer to the hobby and have too much on my plate with two tanks. I focus on the really minor details and behaviors of the fish I keep and sometimes I end up not having the time to spend to upkeep them, but I'd imagine higher tech tanks would be slightly easier due to the sheer amount of nutrients required and how that could prevent any destabilization. I don't have the resources to set up a silver dollar tank so is there anything else I could do with my excess plants?

 

I've never tried a higher tech planted tech simply because I am newer to the hobby and have too much on my plate with two tanks. I focus on the really minor details and behaviors of the fish I keep and sometimes I end up not having the time to spend to upkeep them, but I'd imagine higher tech tanks would be slightly easier due to the sheer amount of nutrients required and how that could prevent any destabilization. I don't have the resources to set up a silver dollar tank so is there anything else I could do with my excess plants?

Well, high-tech tanks are easier in the sense that you can grow whatever you want and make it thrive. But, make no mistake--they are way higher maintenance. Low-tech tanks are definitely the way to go if you are strapped for time, money, or prefer to have many tanks rather than just a few.

 

I like low tech, I spend about 30 minutes a week maintaining my tank, and some of that time is spent having a beer watching it fill up.

 

A lot comes down to expectations.

I find low energy tanks a walk in the park; just don't expect "Amano tanks". That said, try to find Amano scenery in nature. Perhaps at springs you'll find lush submersed vegetation, but all in all, it's mostly marginal plants that paints the picture below the water surface.

Also, I scanned this thread. I believe its going to take a few more decades on fishlore before it sinks in that nutrients in the substrate leach to the water column and vice versa. And also, plants can adapt their intake between leaves and roots. Plants can even absorb CO2 via the roots. It is not preferred, but possible.

A beautiful tank to be sure. If only I took pictures of all my failures trying to do this myself. Hense why I recommend at least dosing potassium, it's made all the difference in my case.

Potassium and, to a much lesser degree, iron are the ones to keep an eye on in low tech. Plants need just about equal amounts of potassium as nitrogen, but potassium typically does not occur in equal amounts via "natural" ways.

That said, CO2 is the limiting factor for plant growth and health in low tech. People underestimate this and typically attribute issues to a lack of minerals and trace elements.

 

I've never tried a higher tech planted tech simply because I am newer to the hobby and have too much on my plate with two tanks. I focus on the really minor details and behaviors of the fish I keep and sometimes I end up not having the time to spend to upkeep them, but I'd imagine higher tech tanks would be slightly easier due to the sheer amount of nutrients required and how that could prevent any destabilization. I don't have the resources to set up a silver dollar tank so is there anything else I could do with my excess plants?

Excess plants I usually ask here if anybody wants them. Sometime you can exchange plants and it works out nice. Or I just mail them out. Usually looking for someone just starting with plants.

I like low tech, I spend about 30 minutes a week maintaining my tank, and some of that time is spent having a beer watching it fill up.

I could be envious of you but I do enjoy cleaning my tanks. I spend at least an hour on the 180 put usually 2 hrs. And it bare bottom . Planted tanks would be hrs spent. Trimming and vacuuming the substrate finding any baby shrimp that came out in the water or fry. Cleaning spot algae of the acrylic. Time consuming.

 

well its almost been a week and I'm proud to say that I haven't killed any plant yet

 

Don't get your hopes up too high. You can't compare a week in "plant time" with "human time" .