Trying To Setup Planted Tanks

[MollyFresh]

Hi i have a normal 10 gallon and a 35 gallon. Im trying to set up the 10 gallon first. I have a Fluval 1 Filter and a heater. I wanted to put in Eco Complete with Crushed Coral on top.
The plants would be Java Ferns, Amazon Swords, Vallisneria, Saggittaria, Maybe Anubias or Crypts. Temp at 75, and Im not entirely sure what lighting? Could anyone help me with that? Also, would i need to have C02 or Ferts. I was planning on having 50-75% Plants and my Ph is 7.2. Also. If i made my 35 gallon a Brackish tank. Would the same substrate (Eco Complete, crushed coral) with Bacopa, Tiger Lotus, Onion Plant, Narrow leaf micro sword, Moneywort be Okay together in the same tank? Is that substrate not necessary? I was planning on making that tank a Molly and platy tank. The 10 gallon would be Pleco and Guppys. I just wanna make sure im not doing anything wrong. Ps: my 10 gallon is only partially cycled, is that okay? I still don't understand all this stuff about lighting and ferts, despite the reading. I see so many people put different things in their tanks im not sure whats right and whats not.

 

[Deek]

Planted tanks are about trial and error and most of the plants u mentioned grow well with medium lighting and wont require a CO2 system you could do a DIY one if u wanted but i wouldn't buy one unless i was growing tricky plants, Not sure how good eco complete is but i always use a high quality substrate and some decent ferts, I'm also not familiar with crushed coral does it affect the pH of water im not sure.

Also not sure how plants will grow in brackish conditions as they ain't keen on salt

 

[PDSimon]

Crushed coral brings up the KH and pH... why are you using it for the (freshwater?) 10G? is your water soft?

A lot of plants struggle to survive in brackish conditions and only some can just about manage. I don't know many plants except microsorum pteropus 'philippine' that can handle a bit of salt, i'm sure there are more though.

 

[RadaR]

Planting Brackish Aquaria

Have a read of Back to Basics. Any more questions you have after that, then please ask.