Looking To Start Planted Tank.

[AnimalHouse36]

Hi all! I've been cruising through all those planted tank pictures and I would LOVE to try. But I know NOTHING about plants.

My wattage is about 15, and I've got a 10 gallon/38 liter tank with a sand substrate. I'm looking to do a low-tech planting system. No CO2 or anything like that.

What are some suggested plants that don't require a lot of upkeep? I'm just looking to start off small.

And on an unrelated note: I wan't a background for my tank, plain. I would get black but I have 1 black fish and 1 dalmation fish. Any suggestions? Nothing to busy please!

 

[stu40]

hi
try this for a list of easy plants PARC

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Okay, after looking at that how does the following sound:
Echinodorus bleheri (Amazon Sword)
Hygrophila difformis (Wisteria)
Microsorum pteropus (Java Fern)
Bacopa monnieri (Moneywort)
Taxiphyllum barbieri (Java Moss)

Would all these be okay with sand substrate? As I've read that not all plants will thrive with sand.
And are there any special requirements for these?

 

[minnnt]

I think they're all easy care choices. The moss and fern will need to be attatched to wood or rocks thhough.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

I think they're all easy care choices. The moss and fern will need to be attatched to wood or rocks thhough.

Will the tank need any additives?
I've been trying to read up on it but can't make sense of any of it!

Oh, and about the lighting. Does it need to be consitent each day? Or does it only matter that it gets sunlight? For example does it matter if one day it gets 4 hours then 4 hours and the next day it gets 1 hour and 7 hours?

 

[stu40]

Okay, after looking at that how does the following sound:
Echinodorus bleheri (Amazon Sword)
Hygrophila difformis (Wisteria)
Microsorum pteropus (Java Fern)
Bacopa monnieri (Moneywort)
Taxiphyllum barbieri (Java Moss)

Would all these be okay with sand substrate? As I've read that not all plants will thrive with sand.
And are there any special requirements for these?

You can add anubias to that list.It and Java fern are best tied to rock/wood.Sand's fine.Don't know what stock you have or want, that will influence if you need to use any additional ferts.Might need to add a bit weekly.
put lights on a timer, you get the same lighting every day.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Currently have 2 mollies and 2 cories. Will be slowly bringing the numbers up to 3 mollies and 5 cories.
Does this help?

And any tips on what background to get?

 

[stu40]

don't know to be honest.Try without, and keep an eye on them.The plants will tell you if they're not happy,translucent leaves, yellowing etc.if they look like they struggling/different just start new thread & get some advise.

Most of the plants you listed are difficult to kill off.

 

[minnnt]

Blach background imo.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Blach background imo.

But I want my black fish to stand out
I'm thinking maybe just white but I don't want it to look silly with tan sand and an albino cory!

Also, I don't think that there's a timer on my light. It was a freebie from a close friend who has got tons of fish stuff! Granted, it's not like it's brand new and it's a couple inches too long for my tank, but eh, it's free!

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Another question when it comes to the plant placement!
Is it okay to put in front of my filters? I've got two.
I was planning on putting them in the back, in front of the filters. Will this cause a problem?
Thanks so much!

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Okay, I got my plants! I don't know what types they are though

They came with a sponge wrapped around the bottom. Do I remove this?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

It won't cause a problem providing they don't block the filters flow, put up some pics of the plants asap too so we can make sure you've been sold 100% aquatic plants. Yeah you should really remove any lead or foam round the roots before planting providing your substrate isdeep enough to keep the plants in.

 

[minnnt]

You will be suprised how much a black fish stands out against a black background. It makes the fish feel more secure so they show better colours. A white background would be the wrong choice to go for with that colour sand too imo.