New at keeping plants

[pbrack]

Hello,
I've recently decided that I'd like to keep plants in my new 20 gallon aquarium. I would like to know how many watts per gallon I would need to keep a wide selection of plants and what is the best substrate I should be going for?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Galaxie]

I use two compact fluorescent 15 watt bulbs (850 lumens each) over my tall 20 Gallon. The java fern (low light requirement) and Amazon Sword (high light requirement) are doing fine. I use normal small gravel and the Amazon appears to be healthy(note: the tank is older than 2 years, so the substrate is mature...not sure an Amazon would do well in a new tank with normal gravel.) He is fertilized with one of those pencil-like sticks that last for a year (I forget the brand, sorry). The Java Fern aren't planted into the substrate, so they have no specific requirements.

[pbrack]

I got off a deal 1 10 gallon and 1 20 gallon aquarium. But the gravel is the coloured gravel. I was hoping to go for river rocks or sand, but not sure if that's better than the other gravel.

[Galaxie]

If you want plants that send roots, sand may not be so great. I read in another post that sand has a tendency to become compacted over time. Larger rocks, on the opposite end from sand, may not give the roots enough compaction. I use this type, Blue Gravel (http://www.petsolutions.com/Marine+Blue+Freshwater+Gravel-I-29970115-I-C-45-C-.aspx) which seems to work fine. My oscar tank has a natural looking gravel which may be more of what you are looking for. Kinda large for growing plants, maybe, but oscar is a digger and like his rocks about 1/4-3/8-inch. Maybe you can find this style in a smaller rock. http://www.petsolutions.com/Images/200/29930095.jpg

[pbrack]

And should I worry about moon lights or some other lighting effect, or just two plain twin fluorescent tubes?

Thanks a lot already Galaxie for your help!

[phanmc]

Moonlights (assuming the LEDs and not the actinics) have no effect on plants though they appear to benefit the fishes somewhat, my cardinal tetras love to hover below it at night.

Color temperature (kelvin rating) isn't important as long as they are within 2,400 (incandescant)-10,000 (white fluorescent) range. Above that range are the bluish lights and actinic lights used in saltwater reefs, not as beneficial to plants. The lower the kelvin rating, the yellower the light. Most people prefer the 6,700k daylight bulbs because it offers the closest light to sunlight on a clear day, but buy whatever looks nice to you.

For most tanks, your options for lighting are fluorescents and power compact fluorescents. PC fluorescents are much more intense than regular fluorescents and are highly recommended if you plan on replacing your lights.

[juan]

And should I worry about moon lights or some other lighting effect, or just two plain twin fluorescent tubes?

Thanks a lot already Galaxie for your help!
I have been using a coconut fiber carpet about 1" thick for several years with great results, first you ned to soak de fiber 1 hour and put a layaer of 2" of fine gravel on top of it.

Advantages:

Help to maintain PH at 6.5
Is excelent for plant roots
Is excelent to hold the nutrients neded for plants.

Please excuse my english.

Best regards

[Quest]

Greatly depends on which plants you plan on keeping. If you want plants that require lots of lights (e.g., glosso) then you would want something like 3-4W/gal. If you are planning for something that requires less lights (e.g., cryptos, anubias) then 2W/gal should be enough.

Best substrate in my opinion is Flourite, if you have the fund. Otherwise, a mix of flourite and fine gravel would be good.

You might also need to consider CO2 injection system, later on.

[Galaxie]

Two 15watt compact fluorescents (CFL's) should grow about anything you need in a 20g tank. But two 15watt 18-inch tubes could barely keep a java fern alive. Only thing I don't like about CFL's is; they don't spread the light as much as tubes ....and HO tubes tend to get pricey. If I had a really long 20g tank with live plants I'd get two cheap light hoods with dual medium screw-in type sockets, and run 4 total CFL bulbs. My local fish store sells these hoods for their 10gallon tanks. They are two piece: the top is the light fixture, the bottom is the flat piece that sits on top of the tank. The bottom piece I just throw away, because the clear plastic opening is very small. The top section, I set on top of an "All Glass" cover, which is fully transparent and lets 100% of the light pass through. Usually have to order the All-Glass tops, but the better stores can do this for you. Here is a link to the All-Glass top: All Glass Versa Top (http://www.all-glass.com/products/hoods/index.html)