What Plants To Get For Amazon Biotope Aquarium

[Matthewh]

Sorry I have re-posted this from the plant section but no one gave me a reply dispite views, hope you guys can help
I'm planning on having a 30 gallon planted aquarium with fish native to South America. To match this I wanted to have easy to manage plants that are from this reigon.
I was thinking amazon swords and hair grass but I need help with possible available plants to put in.
I'm going to use sand substrate as I want to have 5 corydoras. Would I need fertiliser?
One more thing, do I add the plants when I set up the tank or after the cycling process is completed?
Thanks

 

[mike455555]

heres a link to a great site on biotopes 
 
http/fish.mongabay.com/biotope.htm
sorry thats more for fish, my bad. i did have one for plants as well must of lost the link. swords would grow well and would just need a root tab theres lots of different types 
 
plant choice all comes down to what you think will look good  
 
have a look through the tropica website (heres a link http/www.tropica.com/en/plants/plant-list-a-z.aspx)  they have lots of different plants on there 

 

[Matthewh]

Hey thanks also, what does a root tab do?

 

[BerryAttack]

rot tabs give nutrients to the plant. without them it does not allow the plant to grow healthy. it is better to have them.

 

[Matthewh]

Ohh yeah I just googled it, they look great.
Do I add the plants in after the tank is cycled or before/during?
Thanks again

 

[Zante]

Regarding the substrate have a look at the Walstad method. If done right you'll never have to fertilize and you can halve your water changes.
 
As for the plants, in 30 gallons an amazon sword will pretty much fill the tank. Make sure you have enough light for the dwarf hairgrass.
 
Some co2 wouldn't be amiss to help it along, but if you go for the Walstad method you won't need it.

 

[Matthewh]

Okay I'll read into that later on

 

[DRB]

Great biotype link Mike!