New to AC and Live Plants

[DoyleOhana98]

Hello Everyone,
I would like to add live plants to my tank. I need any info you are willing to share. I have a 20 gal tank. I have no idea what to do so any and all info would be wonderful. Thanks

[Gunnie]

Welcome to Aquaria Central! I have a link here which can get you started with some of the basic stuff. I assume you are using regular tank lighting from a hood or a regular strip light, and if that is the case, check out the low light plants. You can have a beautiful tank without all the fancy lighting and CO2.

plantguide (http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide.php)

[TKOS]

I have Java Fern in all my tanks. Works well in low and high light. Grows nice broad leaves and requires very little care. Your best bet it to tie it to a rock or piece of driftwood with some thread and it will root to that. It does grow slow but you can just walk away from it.

[DoyleOhana98]

Thank you so much for the helpful links and for the welcome. Ok not to sound like a total idiot but what the heck is "substrate" ??
Here is what I have in my tank; the hood that came with the tank, gravel (purchased at walmart), UGF (without the Powerhead), top fin power filter 20, a long air stone under the gravel (for the bubble curtain effect), 3 sword tails, 3 lemon tetras, 3 platys and 2 guppies. I also have a few decorations and a piece of driftwood. So please let me know what is good oe not good. Thanks so much, Kim

[Gunnie]

substrate is gravel, sand, etc. :)

[djlen]

Kim - Welcome to the board!!
Go here and check out all the info. available:
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/articles.htm

I suggest that you bookmark the site. Many of us use it on numerous occasions for reference.
Start with the article on setting up a planted tank, which will give you a lot of the basics. Then you will have a lot more questions, but will come to them from a more informed place:).
Substrate and lighting are the foundations which you should address first, and work from there.
Also, from an informational standpoint, you can find answers to many questions by using our search engine and typing in a key word.

Len

[Captain Hook]

You will want to remove the UG (under gravel) filter, otherwise the plants will likely have problems growing in the substrate. You can probably get away with taking the air stone out as well. If your filter creates enough surface disturbance it won't be needed.

For low light plants that will work I suggest java fern, java moss, most Cryptocoryne species, most Anubias species, bolbitis but you can get better info from the link by Gunnie (one of my favourites). Just remember that lower light will mean slower growth so don't expect to see a big change in your tank every couple of days.

[125gJoe]

You will want to remove the UG (under gravel) filter, otherwise the plants will likely have problems growing in the substrate. ... ....

I totally agree with that..!

[DoyleOhana98]

Thanks again everyone for the warm welcome and the great info. I will check out the site and of course if I have any more questions I'll be back :)

Kim