Help Needed Starting A Small Planted Tank

steve26-2008

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I have a 10 gallon tank and now I would like to start planting it. I would like low maintainence and don't want to use co2. Any ideas, pics I'm looking for inspiration to create a natural environment.
 
If you want a low maintenance, you'll be looking mainly at slow growing species, a few of my personal favourites include, Cryptocorynes, Anubias, Java fern (Microsorum pteropus), Mosses and Valiseneria, the list doesn't stop there, there are hundreds of others you can choose from.
Light is the limiting factor with plants, and if you want low tech, you'll only need a little light, fertilisers shouldn't be necessary, but if for instance any of your plants were lacking, adding an all in one fertiliser wouldn't be difficult. Other than that, good circulation is always good to help prevent ammonia accumulation which will eventually lead to algae. The reason you wont need fertilisers is because the fish waste should provide all appropriate nutrients the plants require. You wont need a plant specific substrate, so an inert substrate will be fine, and you can use anything you wish.

All the best
 
i was just about to start a similar thread! i'm getting a 7 gallon tank tomorrow and have started to look into this. a great site is tropica. they have example set ups, and loads of info on plants, difficulty levels etc. defo worth checking out.
 
Good light and a plant substrate will help too. I have a planted 10gal with a good plant substrate and my crypto are doing great. I added more light 2x13 CFL lights and that should help with a few other plants I hope.
 
Have you tried looking through the journal section? there are some smaller tanks in there.

I agree looking on the tropica website will give you a good idea. Low lighting is the way foward for low maintenance
 

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