I Would Like To Add Plants

[bigdave2009]

Hello,

I would like to add plants to my tank. I am willing to change a lot to do so. It is a 29 gallon tank, and currently has gravel and fake plants. I would like sand, but what ever works better. This is my first aquarium so I have not experience with plants, so I do not know how to plant them or which ones to get. I also have no clue about lighting. I would like something that looks nice, easy for beginners, and doesn't take much care (i.e. lighting, co2, or plant food). So if you have any ideas or things I should know let me know!

 

[Bendover]

It depends on what you like really. I'd stick with the gravel for now as sand can be a bit too much like hard work and is of more benefit to certain fish than plants.
Plants come in 4 main types bunch, single plants, bulbs and floating plants. As a general rule plant shorter plants at the front and taller plants at the back. Planting several of the same species in a group also works well.
Bunch plants are probably cheapest but I find they either die quickly or grow out of control! You could try hairgrass although this does need a lot of lighting. Single plants are probably the best bet to start with, I'm fond of the Vallis varieties, they have long thin leaves, come corksrew or straight and make an excellent background plant. Other favorites include Umberlla fern and green and white Dracena, both quite tough and tend to get let alone by fish. Bulbs are planted under the gravel and can grow into large plants within a few months but probably not what you're looking for in terms of immediate impact. Floating plants do what they say on the tin really. They are excellent if you have fry in the tank as they provide a hiding place and bubble nest builders will utilise them also, however they can cut of light to plants below if left unchecked.
All that said trial and error is best when you're starting out just buy the plants you like the look of and see how you go...
In terms of lighting, when adding plants leave the lights on for 24 hours to allow the plants to get established. Other than that probably at least 10 hours a day is required. If the plants are looking a bit anemic leave the lights on longer for a few days.
I've never bothered with making special arrangements for Co2 however an iron suppliment plant fertiliser is a must- the plants seem to do a millon times better for it

 

[bigdave2009]

It depends on what you like really. I'd stick with the gravel for now as sand can be a bit too much like hard work and is of more benefit to certain fish than plants.
Plants come in 4 main types bunch, single plants, bulbs and floating plants. As a general rule plant shorter plants at the front and taller plants at the back. Planting several of the same species in a group also works well.
Bunch plants are probably cheapest but I find they either die quickly or grow out of control! You could try hairgrass although this does need a lot of lighting. Single plants are probably the best bet to start with, I'm fond of the Vallis varieties, they have long thin leaves, come corksrew or straight and make an excellent background plant. Other favorites include Umberlla fern and green and white Dracena, both quite tough and tend to get let alone by fish. Bulbs are planted under the gravel and can grow into large plants within a few months but probably not what you're looking for in terms of immediate impact. Floating plants do what they say on the tin really. They are excellent if you have fry in the tank as they provide a hiding place and bubble nest builders will utilise them also, however they can cut of light to plants below if left unchecked.
All that said trial and error is best when you're starting out just buy the plants you like the look of and see how you go...
In terms of lighting, when adding plants leave the lights on for 24 hours to allow the plants to get established. Other than that probably at least 10 hours a day is required. If the plants are looking a bit anemic leave the lights on longer for a few days.
I've never bothered with making special arrangements for Co2 however an iron suppliment plant fertiliser is a must- the plants seem to do a millon times better for it

how do i go about planting them?

 

[Bendover]

Quite simple really just push them into the gravel!
If you've bought bunch plants they tend to come with a plastic binder thingy, (sorry don't know the technical term), around the base and this should be firmly pushed into the gravel, you'll want to cover then roots completely. You might want to burrow a bit with your finger to avoid damaging the roots. Single plants often come in little pots again just burrow the pot into the gravel. You could remove the plant from the pot first but I find that they tend to do better when left as your fish shop intended!
Obviously you'll need a certain depth of gravel to enable the plants to take root and for any pots to be concealed opinions vary on this but at least 4cm -5cm is best.

 

[Themuleous]

Hi,

Just to clear a few things up, if ever your plants have things attached to their roots like bands, sponge, or pots, it should IMO always be removed, as they restrict growth and will often rot the stem of the plant. For pots take the pot and as much of the mineral wool off as you can any push into the substrate. The mineral wool has very little in it and the sooner the plant roots get into the substrate the better.

Sam