live plants

[bettaboi]

im gunna have a 20 gal community and the one thing i really want is live plants
what are a few good kinds and i've heard about co2 injectors but i dont know what they do can somone explain and tell me if i need one

 

[jimboliana]

Hi bettaboi

If you want live plants you dont need CO2, though it does help even on the smalist of tanks but then you are going to need good light

It is all in proportion so if you want one you need another and another to get the best growth and no algae

Hope this helps - well abit

 

[bettaboi]

so i cant just use the floresant light that came with my tanks

 

[guppygirl]

What wattage is your light?
You'll need over 2 wpg or more for medium-high light requiring plants, anything below that is low light, but you can still have a pretty tank that way.

 

[Iron Man]

There are plenty of hardy, low light plants that will do well with say 1.5 watts per gallon. Some on these forums have just that and no CO2 and their tanks look very good.

I currently have only about 1.5 wpg but my plants are growing like wildfire....but then I do have direct sunlight too. But with all that light and growth you would think I would need CO2 to keep up with the plant growth and their growing needs for it.....but so far they haven't complained. They're still very green, no browning, and growing like weeds.

I will eventually move up to 2 wpg and CO2 injection though. Research and read up on your many options.....and above all....have fun!

OH btw my current plants are amazon sword and cabomba...though the cabomba is very delicate and you have to treat it very gently or it will come apart trying to plant/propogate it. Other than that a very easy plant to keep.

 

[Mr Miagi]

I agree with Iron Man, u dont need Co2 or high powered lighting. I have just over 1wpg and my plants grow great!

Choose your plants for your water conditions, have appropriate substrate and a bit of light and u should be fine.

This isnt to say your plants are gonna grow to there maximum potential, but the will do well if you have plants suitable to your water conditions.

 

[guppygirl]

Yes it really depends, you have to have a balance of light/nutrients/co2.
one of my tanks has 1.8 wpg, and added fertilizer, and no co2.