Plant recommendation for new 60g

A

Akysten

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May 28, 2006
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You've seen me post before.
I'll be setting up a 60g tall(28x13x24). This is going to be a community tank. I'm going to use EcoComplete as the substrate with no CO2 at this time(maybe later)
This will be a community tank, I've got some rocks and a couple pieces of african root. My lighting is 4 t5 plant bulbs at 28w each, or 112w total(amost 2w/gallon).

What I want to know is what to start with. I don't want to go overboard too quickly, but I do want a decent planting when setting up the tank. I don't want to overdue it with too many species, and I'm a little scared of Java Moss, microsword and hairgrass. I don't know what to expect and I understand it can take over the bottom of the aquarium like a carpet. I don't know if I want that.

I just want a starter setup that looks nice. I'm going to get a couple of amazon swords for the background(do I have enough light?), but beyond that, I'm looking for recommendations.

What would you suggest as a good selection to start up the tank.

Thanks.
 
Amazon swords grow really big so I think one will be enough. If you are going to go planted, plant very heavily (at least 70% of the substrate) from the start otherwise you will be posting here about how to deal with algae later on. 2 wpg is perfect for a non CO2 setup.

Some plants that I really enjoy are.

Cabomba Carolina (Green cabomba), Valisneria, Amazon Swords, Ludwigia repens, Alternanthera (bright red plant), and various species of crypt. Elodea (anacharis) is also quite nice. I bought 6 for less than $2 and propogated them by cuttings giving myself a nice thick dense forest of them with over 50 stalks. I like the look of microsword and hairgrass but have not experimented with it myself. All these plants I listed are doing well in my 2 wpg tank but I do use CO2. Without CO2 growth will be slower. If you plan on using Seachem Excel, the val and anacharis are rather sensitive to that.

http://www.barrreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395

Talks about how to run a non CO2 tank with little to no algae just by using proper fertilizer dosing techniques. You can buy very cheap fertilizers at GregWatson.com which will cost you probably less than $20 with shipping and last well over a year.

Plant heavily, follow good fertilizer dosing regimes and a consistant waterchange routine and you will soon understand why so many people love planted tanks. I could never go back to plastic plants and I bet you that 90% of the other successful planted tank owners will agree with me on that.
 
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