Planted Tank

[Andeekaii]

Hey guys,

I have always had plastic plants in my tanks and now i realise just how crappy they actually look.
I'm changing my tank and wondered if you guys could answer these questions for me?

- How can i change the whole tank, including gravel, without loosing the bacteria in the gravel (I use an UGF)
I don't have anything big enough to drain all the water into.

- Do i need special lighting for planted tanks, if so could you recomend some good lights, preferably the cheaper end of the market?

- Could you recommend some good plants for a begginer?
Id like a big leafed plant and then smaller tighter plants for fry etc. to hide in

Are things like this suitable with an UGF?

- Do i need any other equipment?

Any other advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Axleuk]

I am not expert on plants but i do have a good eye for what looks good and what looks bad.

Before you make your final decdion remember that live plants are not 'plant and forget' they take as much work to look after in some cases as the fish.

- How can i change the whole tank, including gravel, without loosing the bacteria in the gravel (I use an UGF)

You cannot use a UGF if you plan on using live plants. Well thats not entirly true, but it is never advisable as the root sysem can in most cases bed itself in the filter and give you not end of problems later down the line. So....a conventional filter will be needed and you can use some of your existing gravel in the filter and start off a fishless cycle. You could also use some mature media from someone who is will to donate. Check out the stickie for a list pf people who are willing to donate.

- Do i need special lighting for planted tanks, if so could you recomend some good lights, preferably the cheaper end of the market?

You dont need any special lights to get you started but you need to ensure that your plants get at least 10 hrs of light. Different plants are hardier than others but 10 hrs is the recommended.

- Could you recommend some good plants for a begginer?

I wont go into the names of plants because to be quite frank..i have no idea, however that said, you need to consider proper placement. Tall, fast growing plants are better placed in the rear of the tank. Bushy plants that can provide cover for fry i place to the rear but towards a corner. Smaller plants i put towards the front but try not to overdo them. I try to create a space where the fish can freely swin and you can see them, but have provided plenty of hiding places for the fish to explore and hide away. If you have some driftwood, place some small plants tucked up against it so you have contrast of the brown and the green. You want to create somethign that leads the eye to the centre point of your tank or slightlu over centre, but do not get carried away. Plants need to be pruned in the tank in the same way they need pruning ina garden. Good layout and good choice of fish are what makes your tank exciting to watch.

This is mine (Ignore the text i used the pic in another of my threads) but you get the idea.

- Do i need any other equipment?

No, unless you have a big tank, in which case you may want to consider supplying Co2 to help the plants along, but in most cases a smaller tank can get by with some weekly plant fertiliser. Plants do die and you will have to replace from time to time but if you look after the plants this does not have to be done a lot.

 

[toshapetriji]

The bacteria are living mainly in the filter and not the gravel. Work out how many watts your lights are and then divide by the gallons in the tank, this will give you a WPG (watts per gallon) figure. If you are around 2 WPG you wont have too many problems with live plants. Though you will have to purchase plants that require amedium light, often lighter green in colour.

I´m no expert on plants so will leavr that question to someone with more knowledge than me.

A good place to buy though is here.

hope this helps a little.

edit... see you have undergravel filter, disregard.

 

[Attilauk]

easy and hardy plants to start off with would be Java Fern and Amazon Swords.

both can be grown with no CO2 system and 'standard' aquarium lights without any major problems.

 

[Andeekaii]

would something like this be okay?
http/www.plantsalive.co.uk/index.php?_a=...mp;productId=43
Comes with amazon swords

 

[lilfishie]

my 15 gal has been recently planted, i only have 1wpg but the 3 type of plant i have are triving, i have fine roman black gravel, a standard internal filter and dose with plant food once a week (when i remember )
the plants i have are: Egeria Densa, Cabomba and Amazon sword, the Cabomba is very good for fry, i found a few in my tank the other day which is filled with livebearers so was a shock seeing them alive!

 

[Dave Spencer]

No, unless you have a big tank, in which case you may want to consider supplying Co2 to help the plants along, but in most cases a smaller tank can get by with some weekly plant fertiliser. Plants do die and you will have to replace from time to time but if you look after the plants this does not have to be done a lot.

Just to clarify things, adding carbon via CO2 is not dependent on tank size. It is based on growth rates and plant mass.

Plants don`t die if you do your research and look after them. Same as fish. If they are dying, you are doing something wrong.

Dave.