Ok.. tomorrow, I buy plants for the first time.

[Wippit Guud]

So... beyond the plants, the light, and the water... what else will I need?

Substrate is about 2in of sand that will be faily high in iron content (which is why it's red). If I had something other than a webcam, I could even take a pic :)

[Kagh't]

try a liquid fertiliser, which can be added directly to the water, and possibly a CO2 unit, depending on how much money you wish to spend.

[Wippit Guud]

Is CO2 mandatory? I know it promoptes faster growth, but will no CO2 kill the plants?

[lesley]

I've had a planted tank going for over a year with no CO2. I do occasionally dose with Flourish Excel and regular Flourish (not nearly as often as I should). I have some problems with algae, but not excessive. The glass needs weekly scraping and some of my slower plants get a green film, but it's not to a point that it detracts from my enjoyment of the tank.

I think I have pretty hardy plants, and minimal lighting, but so far they are fine without CO2.

Good luck!

[Cearbhaill]

You can have a fine planted aquarium without CO2- it is just a matter of choosing the right plants.
I have a plant list of what works for me on my planted aquarium page- link in sig.

[JackDonkey]

I think the biggest thing is to stay consistent in your dosing of fertilizer and light levels (lights 10am to 10pm everyday), that way it's easy to figure out if something has gone wrong. Also a good nitrate test kit is a plus, I had all kinds of trouble up until the point I forked over the 50 or 60 bucks for a LaMotte Nitrate test kit.

[mrbigisbudgood]

I'm using Flourish Comprehensive in a rocky substrate and my plants are doing great.

No CO2

No algae issues