Planted Betta Setup - 5 Gallons

[nikkifro8994]

I am cycling a 5 gallon betta tank right now. I want to add lots of live plants when I get my betta so that he will have a "jungle" of sorts to play, hide, and hunt in. The area for the plants is about 49 square inches. That's roughly 315 square centimeters. The plants will have to be able to thrive with artificial light. What plants should I add that would be good for low light? I want some tall ones (like swords) and some smaller ones (like anubis). Also, what type of light and how many watts should I get? I have API leaf zone for my 1.5 gallon planted tank. Would I need any other additives?
Thanks!
Nikki

 

[Ps3Steveo]

You'll want a maximum of about 6 watts of light in there, with a 20 litre you'll also want small swords as the others will outgrow the tank quickly, so look up some more Echinodorus species and maybe some Microsorum Needle as its a tiny java fern that wont outgrow the tank. Anubias petite would be good along with some slim stems and Cryptocorynes.

 

[nikkifro8994]

Will these plants be ok with a normal incandescent bulb or do I need a special bulb?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

You'd be better off with a daylight colour tube but some people use them.

 

[nikkifro8994]

I'll see what my lfs has when I get the plants. I have a red light, a blue light, and a normal incandescent light.