Best Plants For Beginner?

[ceilidhgirl]

hi everyone

i would really like to have a planted tank

the tank i'm plannng on buying will be approx 14 gallons and measures approx 60cm*35cm*30cm

any advice on something that will grow nicely but wont become a monster i cant cope with

i'd like to keep approx 6 neon tetras and a couple of male guppies any ideas on plant colourings to bring out the colours of the fish??

love ales xx

 

[George Farmer]

Welcome to the Forum ales!

A good place to start is here - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=22604

The plant's chances of success in your tank will depend entirely on your lighting and other factors like Carbon dioxide (CO2) injection and substrate (gravel) choice.

For a very basic set-up with one fluoresent light (try to get a full-spectrum tube with a reflector - read the lighting article for more info) and no CO2 injection then you may have success with the following -

Hygrophila polysperma
Vallisneria species
Possibly Cryptocoryne species and Echinodorus species (a nutrient-rich substrate is required for these)
Some easy Ludwigia species
Java fern, Java moss and Anubias nana (all need attaching to wood or rock/stone)

You will increase your chances of success by having two two fluorescent tubes, and improve them even furthur if you inject CO2.

There's plenty of info on here, the pinned threads are a good place to start. If there's anything you don't understand then just ask, there's a lot of friendly experience on here.