Newbie to plants, but not fish....wanna get my tank planted....

[Ender]

I have a 55 gallon catfish tank and I would like to add some plants to my tank.

Tank

12 corys
1 royal pleco (7")
1 spotted rapheal (2")
1 striped rapheal (5")
1 jaguar catfish
1 small oscar (3") (holding it for my friend while they upgrade their tank)

What types of plants would you recommend that I look at buying. I already have 1 amazon sword.

I was also wondering if adding co2 to the tank is a must. And then what is the best way to add co2 to my tank.

For lighting I just have the regular flourescent lights for a 55 gal tank. I have more lights at home for a 40 gal I could add on top of the 55 if I need to.

My substrate is natural looking gravel, about an inch or 2.

If I forgot to ask something let me know.....thanks!!

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

you dont need to add co2, but it will make your plants grow faster (and it might do other good things also, im n not sure). the plain gravel will work, and you can use root tabs for plants that get most of their nutrients from their roots... and the lights might work for some plants, but you can also buy a 48inch dual 40w shoplight from walmart or any other place that might sell lights... and they are pretty cheap also... i dont know what plants you should get, im in that stage also (trying to decide what plants i want)... well.. good luck

[djlen]

If I remember correctly, most 55's come with two 15 watt tubes, and if that's what you've got, the good news is that you don't need CO2. The bad new is that you need more light, even for what we call a "low-light" aquarium. The lowest light that is workable is about 1 1/2 watts/per gallon. This means you need about 80-90 watts. With that there are a few nice plants that you will be able to grow even without CO2. As was suggested above, a shoplight would give you 2 - 40watt tubes and I've used this lighting successfully in my 55.
Good Luck.
Len