New Tank and plants?

[CluelessScot]

I am about to start my first tank up tomorrow and was wondering if i can add plants into my tank while it is cycling or is it best to wait then add them in?

also what is good plants for a begginer? the tank is 42 us gallons L48" W12" H17"

i would like say some tall bushy plants towards the end of my plant and some small leafy pants in the middle, also a bit of colour too wouldnt be bad? any suggestions

thanks

 

[kenneth_kpe]

hey cluelessscot im not really sure if plants could interfere with the cycle but i see no harm in placing them in the tanks while the tank is cycling .... plants wont die if ammonia is high or anything

beginner plants include anubias species, java ferns basically any plant that does not need high lighting, a really really rich substrate and isnt fert hungry

lets see il try to give you as much info as possible

tall bushy plants
- look into rotala species, bacopa species.... valliseneria species (grass like)
-small bushy ones..... swords, saggitaria species... anubias species.... hygrophilia.... heterenthera zosterifolia... cryptocorne species....

also note that reddish plants are (for me!!) harder to take care of !
hope this helps ! and also it doesn't hurt to visit the tropica website for more info !

PS!! please give your tank specs !
lighting, substrate, size etc etc

 

[modernhamlet]

You didn't say what kind/levels of lighting you have over your new tank, but assuming you've got standard (low light) fixtures, one of the best "red" plants you can pick would probably be Sunset Hygrophila polysperma. You might not get really great red leaf growth, but it should provide a good contrast with other greener plants.

 

[CluelessScot]

The tank is 42gallon, 4ft long 18" high. substrate is natural stone gravel and the lighting... its poor atm i am planing to buy another light asap. i like the suggestions

 

[kenneth_kpe]

yup you might need to squeeze in more lighting into that tank 42 gallons... go for around 2-3 WPG depending on the plants youd like also if the tank is new try looking into other alternatives for you substrate it might be inert and inadequate to support growth for plants

 

[Jen]

If you go for lights that high, you'll need to inject CO2 as well.

 

[houndour]

I believe adding plants can help the cycling process.