Want To Start Keeping Real Plants Advice Required!

[entersandman]

I've had my tank setup and running well now for approx 6 months, up until now i've only kept silk plants as being new to the hobby i wanted to concentrate on getting my tank right and my fish all ok before i took on the next challenge of real plants!!!
Now i'd like to keep some good easy to manage beginners plants but i think i may have a problem, my subtrate! It is standard pea gravel type and reading around this is no good for real plants is it?

Is there any type of plant i could keep in this subtrate or anything i could add to help plants grow in it? Or am i stuffed!!! I was hoping to gradually replace each silk plant with a live one over a period of time as my confidence grew but with the subtrate i have i'm not sure if i can do anything!!!

Many thanks for any help given!!

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

An expensive way of doing it is to buy pre-potted plants, these are already well established but it does limit your aquascaping. Anubias/Java Fern/Java Moss and Moss Balls are an easy way to go as they are tied plants, not requiring a substrate if they are tied to decor, bogwood/coconut shells etc.

Good online suppliers are best suited, people have views on the companies however. Look around and see what you can find. Low light and slow growing may be your best option if the light is low, however watch out for algae if you have high light and/or near natural light from a window.

Chris

 

[garuf]

hmm, there isn't really a need for a nutritious substrate a few people on here and other forums use water column dosing with a inert substrate with no problems at all.
If you don't want to go down that path then you could always opt for plants that will grow on hard scape and don't need planting anubias, mosses etc.
for plants a good shop (and in my opinion the best) is greenline over @ http/www.aquaticplants.eu.com/index.html

also it could be a good idea to post up your entire tank spec's so people can help choose plants that are suitable for your tanks lighting substrate etc.

 

[SuperColey1]

An expensive way of doing it is to buy pre-potted plants, these are already well established but it does limit your aquascaping.

I don't see how buying potted plants limits your aquascaping

You're supposed to take the plant out of the pot and remove the rockwool that is protecting its roots then plant in the substrate.

As for east to grow plants then take a look at the pinned articles at the top of the planted section and there should be one for 'low light - easy to grow' plants.

As for substrates it doesn't really matter as long as the nutrients are getting to the plants. dependant on which approach you take the fish waste and food maybe enough nutrient for the plants.

There is plenty of info on this forum r.e. starting up, so set aside some time and read through the post below. Yould be surprised how many there are asking the same questions

Good Luck
Andy

 

[nry]

Anything but the smallest of plants will root OK in gravel, never had an issue with my gravel beyond H.C.