newbie to aquarium plants

peifc

peifc

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Jun 18, 2003
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I'm setting up a 25g right now (still cycling). I want some live plants for my dwarf cichlids. I know a lot about cichlids, but I don't know jack about aquarium plants :D

Can someone give me some information for a newbie? My ph is around 7.0. I want to start out simple to know how much I can handle. What will be the perfect plants for beginners? What substrate should I get? What other items should I get to keep the plants healthy?

Any information will be helpful.

Thank you.
 
Anubias would be good choices--they have low light needs, and are attached to rock/wood instead of being planted in the substrate, so can be added to just about any tank. There are several variaties that differ mostly in size and shape of leaf. The nana is my favorite, both for size, and because it blooms readily under most conditions.

There are also several smaller crypts that tolerate a range of conditions. The green crypts will get a bit larger, and have longer, thinner leaves that form a canopy many fish like to hide in. They should be planted in the substrate, and require stable conditions--fluctuating water conditions tend to cause the leaves to 'melt', but the plant will recover is given the chance.

I'd recommend trying easy, low light plants before trying the harder ones--especially if you don't already have the lighting. You might be happy with just these, or decide you want a full blown planted tank; then more reseach and $$ can be a good thing.
 
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