Planted Tank It Is Then!

[Kris]

Now that I've swapped the crushed beach glass that I had as gravel to a more natural (and safe!) gravel. I'm onto my next big project - Planting/Aquascaping my tank.

I have a 10 gallon running with a Penguin 100 BioWheel filter and currently have only 15 watts of light running, no "additives" for fertilization, etc.

I've been going a little overboard searching and searching for what plants I like, and which "sound" like they'll be a good choice and not too high maintenence. Since I really have no idea what I'm doing, and feel like I have gotten completely water logged with information, misinformation, etc. I just want to make sure I have everything covered.

First: How do I go about prepping the tank? Can I just use the plant tabs? And follow up with some sort of liquid fertilizer (and how often)? Should I do a filter change prior to adding plants? Or should I just maintain regular maintenence?

Second: What have you found works best for "anchors" - Driftwood, Bogwood, or rock?

Lastly: These are the plants that I would like to choose from, anyone have any suggestions or concerns?

The Foreground/Carpet:
Either Pygmy Chain Sword or Glossostigma

Smaller Plants:
Anubias Afzeli, Green Wendtii Crypt, and/or Nanjenshan Rotala

Bigger Background Plants:
Brazilian Pennywort, Golden Moneywort, Elodea, and/or Creeping Red Ludwigia

I don't want to go for the "heavily" planted tank look, as I would like the fish to really be the main focal point. Also not to mention, it's only a 10 gallon so I don't want the plants to take over. I would also like to stay as low tech as possible without sacrificing the plants. Bumping up the wattage is no problem, but when CO2 injectors come into play I get a little scared!

HELP!
Thanks

 

[juicebox]

to prep the tank i'd say spred out your substrate (if you have any), put the gravel on top, stick the root tabs near the area where your plants will be, then plant.

i think all the anchors work equally efficent, but all the plants you have listed could be planted without anchors.

for the foreground i'd suggest the pygmy chain sword over glosso as glosso can be a higher maintenance carpet plant. i've heard nanjenshan rotala are a bit difficult to maintain, though i've never had any personal experience with them. the rest of your plants sound ok, but you may have to upgrade your lighting eventually.