Good beginer plants for my tank

[Ryan45]

What are some good plants for my tank. I have Low to mid light, 110 watts on a 55G. I am going to put all flourite in there so I will have a good substrate. What would you guys suggest I get for plants that are fairly easy to take care of? I will be dosing with Flourish. I want plants that I can put in the substrate since I will be using flourite. I was thinking about Java Ferns but you can't put them in substrate and I dont have drift wood. Any suggestions would be great, also I will be ordering online so I would appretiate some links to these plants or places to get them.

Thanks

[NFR-22467-A]

i know that a lot of species of crypts often do well in low-mid lighted aquariums, but i think that since you already have 2 out of 3 criteria for a planted tank (good substrate, good nutrients) if it was me, id get a better lighting assembly and youd be able to throw any plant in that you wanted and have it grow pretty well!

and btw, if you weighed down the java fern, like tying it to a little rock, it would eventually anchor itself to the substrate, not necessarily rooting itself though... i think....

[Lauren]

you could always get drift wood, its an excelent addition to any tank, imo.

low light bunch plants are usually extremely hardy and easy to grow. Best part is, when they get too tall, just cut the tops and replant them.

[Ryan45]

Ok well could you give me some Ideas for types of plants? Also I was thinking about getting driftwood but I don't want my water to turn brown.

[Ryan45]

What about Amzon swords? Could I grow them with 2 wpg? I want a fairly fast growing plant that will work good with low-medium ligh and good substrate like flourite? I thought 2WPG was considered medium light? Was I wrong?

[jonathan03]

Start here:

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

There are hundreds of aquarium plants and we can't tell you which ones you will like. They rank the plants by light and difficulty so pick something that will fit your tank. Stop by or call the lfs to see if they have what you want.

[Lauren]

Ok well could you give me some Ideas for types of plants? Also I was thinking about getting driftwood but I don't want my water to turn brown.
If you let it soak for a few days, it won't turn your water brown. Just pour boiling water on it, and let it soak. Replace the water every few hours or when ever you can. Do this until the water the wood is soaking in is clear, or very light tan.

[Rebgen]

Here's what I'm getting in the mail today. I have a cycling 55 gal. with a AH retro-kit, 110w...2 WPG. Exactly the same as you. Substrate is Shultz's aquatic soil as a base layer and topped with 1/2 - 3/4" Estes gravel. No CO2 added and no ferts added either. Just your basic low/med light tank.

Anubias Nana (Anubias barteri v. Nana)
Anubias Barteri Round Leaf (small) (Anubias barteri v. Round Leaf)
Anubias Coffeefolia (Anubias barteri v. Coffeefolia)
Anubias Congensis (Anubias Congensis)
Anubias Frazeri (Anubias Frazeri)
Crypt Lutea (Cryptocoryne walkerii)
Vallisneria - Contortion (10 plants) (Vallisneria contortionist)
Sword - Amazon (Echinodorus bleheri)
Java Fern (Microsorium pteropus)
Ludwigia Broad Leaf Repens (Ludwigia repens)
Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)

[bigfishguy]

yea i was gunna say get some aunbias species and some hygrophilla difformis-(water wisteria)
also giant hygrophilla will work amazingly in ur tank its like a underwater weed.
alot of books will till u it needs a good amount of light but thats untrue as i have had experince with this plant alot...and the light escaping my tank was enuff for the plant to grow in a bucket 3 or 4 feet away from the tank....
and jy tanks are in the basement so its pretty dark......
u basiclly could use any plant u want but make sure ur filter does not agitate ur water.make sure it flows in smooth.....
think of an aqarium like a can of pop...if its shook all the co2 goes bye bye...
also i`d stay away from plants like madagascar lace leafs and most plants with bulbs for now till u get some experince with other plants because bulb plants need a little bit more care.

sword plants will work
amazon swords..
melon swords..

but i like ur choosing so far anubias specias is my favorite...
i have had my tank up for 2 yrs with all kinds of anubias...
the tank is filled with it..it looks like a jungle because the barteri grows tall some is out of my tank because i have a open tank...
but anyways i gotta get pics on here.....

but g l

[TommyR]

Java moss, Anacharis are what I'm playing with. Just got some Anacharis, you can float them, sink them in pots, etc. Got mine locally but it's a common Aquarium plant so most online stores should have it. I got my java moss from:

http://www.aquariumplants.com/cgi-bin/cart/index.html?id=azn2fuTG

Tom

[Rebgen]

I didn't know aquascaping was so much work. Just got done planting 20 plants in my 55 gal. When things settle down some I might have to learn how to post pics so I can get some advice on tweeking my arrangement.

Buying plants online seems to work fine. This is my first time and they arrived in amazingly good shape. Now I just have to get those nitrites down so I can let some fish enjoy the scenery.

[Kissofthegorami]

boiling driftwood helps take away the tannins that color the water, so does just soaking it. Carbon in your filter will take away the yello color as well. Some people prize the yellow coloring and think it shows off their fish better. Personally I dnt like it. I have grown most of the "easy" plants with your level of light. java moss, java fern, swords do great, anubias, crypts, hygros, vals, sags, hornwaort, even cobamba carolinia and water sprite did great in my aquarium. Generally most plants that are green will do well. The ones with color need more light. Wendii crypts and ozelot swords will add some reddish color. Java fern and anubias planted on driftwood can add height if its lacking.

[Mooch28]

huum....

Java plants
Amazon swords
Crypts
Water sprite
Java moss

All will grow just fine at 2 wpg!

[Robert H]

Most of the common Cryptocorynes will do great. I actually have Cryp assortments of big and small plants of different colors and shapes available