Little Advice

[lilacamy931]

I have a 14 gallon tank which I have been running with success for almost a month.

I now have a gorgeous 38 litre which wish to put live plants in, I am a complete beginner and wish plants that require little or no care.

After reading a helpful guide the ones that seem best are java moss, java fern, anubias, hornwort and guppy grass.

A few questions if I may? Java ferns and moss understand that they don't go in the substrate but attach to bogwood or rock,can I use pebbles/shells or do their need to be pores to attach?

The other plants is it best to buy leaded, the tank will have basic gravel, do I need to submerge or allow weighted on the top? Also if have choice of terracotta pots better choice?

One last concern believe have adequate lighting and not adding CO2 diffuser. Do these plants require food sepcifically bought for them and in what sort of form if so? Liquid or sticks? (Know probably dependant on plants but beginner plants such as java moss, fern, anubias etc)

Oh and sorry, lastly in my established tank am I able to add live plants without algae blooms or mini cycles or bad things/ (Not sure what would happen but just want to check!)

Thank you

Lastly are these sort of selections suitable?
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=390044623691

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=310122538462

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=220418848768

Thank you for any advice.

 

[aaronnorth]

the plants can be attached to anything, if you do wish to use them in the substrate (not the mosses) then bury the roots, and leave the rhizome sitting on top of the substrate,

dont use any weights as they restrict plant growth.

Buy a fertiliser, and dose weekly, if the plants start to show signs of defficencies, raise the frequency of the dose.

You can add plants at any time of a tanks life. Ammonia causes algae, so make make sure the plants are in good health as rotting plants produce ammonia (undetetcable).

last link doesn work, but those plant collections are ok. The only trouble is you dont know what you are going to get, most times people order those bunhes and recieve non-aquatics, an you also get 5 differnt species, bu not enough of 1 plant to make a decent affect.
Also, they do state 'easy' plants but they still send out some of the hardest to grow
Much better to hoose your own, and then you can create the desired affect.

 

[lilacamy931]

Thank you ever so much for all that great info, that is just what I needed. Have seen some liquid you add to the tank water for plants for £2.99 so will give that a go.

I have ordered something similar from above but from a reputable dealer that I had a word with over the phone and said the types and species of plants that I am looking for. He was really helpful and see what I get next week. I will use this as a learning experience and get some more next month.

Thank you so much for answering my rambling questions!