Can Anyone Tell M The Basics Of Planting..

[Julianmiles123]

I been really wanting too get in to planting my tanks I have 2 one a 5.5gallon desk top with a few guppys an snail and a 45 gallon bow cichlid tank I want to puts some plants in my cichlid tank though I hear they tend to damage plants but I still want to try. at the moment I have like small rocks not really substrate I plan To change too sand witch should b in Wednesday, do I have to put anything with the sand or jus liquid firtalizer will do that's my main confusion I only want some plants for the back ground in my 45 I don't really know plant names or so if some anyone can name a few that would realatively easy for a beginner to care for

 

[BelldandyShanny]

I'd go and get some driftwood either with plants already attached or attach your own, go for something broad leafed like an anubias, and java fern.

 

[fluttermoth]

Are they African/Rift Valley cichlids, OP?

If so, I agree with Belldandy; anubias and Java fern, attached to some rock or wood would be easiest, as Africans will just destroy anything else.

 

[bricko]

Agree with last 2 posts, plus you wont have to add the sand substrate if you dont want to

 

[Julianmiles123]

ok thanks guys, I been looking at some drift wood just been having a hard time finding the right shape an size I'd like also I did a little research on the Anubias an says CO2 firtilization is recommended would that be only need if I were plant them into the sand/substrate?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

If you want a lot of good information from the worlds leading producer of aquarium plants, have a read here. It is well written, good potos and excellent vids:
 
http/www.tropica.com/en/tropica-abc.aspx

 

[ericNH]

You might want to look into something called the Walstad Method.  Its a way of keeping a planted tank with very low maintenance, and its all about keeping a balance.  I made the mistake of trying to plant my tank a little bit at a time, here and there, with no soil underneath my sand, and  it hasn't worked out very well.  If I were to do it over I would 1) use soil underneath my sand, 2) plant it heavily right at the start, and 3) not add any fish until the plants are fully established.  Good Luck!

 

[xohaibshahzad]

Cabomba caroliniana - try this plant, easy to keep.

 

[BelldandyShanny]

I don't use co2 or anything, sometimes I add seachem flourish excel but mainly for keeping diatoms at bay.  No ferts or anything and my plants are doing great.  No soil, just sand and a little gravel.

 

[hobby5]

Hi Julian,
 
first it would be important to know what kind of cichlids you have got? 2nd, for plant growth you will need decent lighting? 3rd its not rocket sience. Get some cheap fast growing plants (different species) put  them in (the more the better) and see what happens. Usually some species will drive under your conditions while others will not. Stick to the once which grow. No need for ferts, CO2 or anything else except light