are plants hard to keep?

I only suggest plastic because of the ease of keeping, and cost of lights. My light kit cost plenty, more than alll the rest of the gear. then I found out it still was mid to low level!! My bad iguess.

Good luck j lines

plastic plants aren't exactly cheap...they could spend the money and get some power compacts THEN buy plants from Mgamer20o0 or any one of the 10 other people on the board selling plants.
 
I use shop lights and commercial bulbs. If you pick the right tubes, you don't need expensive plant/aquarium tubes.
 
Jlines...although it may not be for everyone, as an example, I'm running 65 watts of lighting, 10 hours a day. That's after researching and knowing exactly what I want my tank to grow and look like. It's a 20 gallon long. Some plants vary on lighting. Some need strong, other do ok with low lighting. Found out what plants you like and how much light they need. But, as someone who just started, I'd definitely suggest live plants. The outcome is really beautiful, and it's work, but nurturing for living plants is quite rewarding :)
 
would this be enuff lighting for my tanks
20Gal. long- one 17W bulb
35Gal. deep hex,(2 foot deep)- one 14W bulb
 
what can i do to beable to get plants to grow in my tank with out speending alot of money
 
What sort of canopy does your tank have? If it's clear glass or plastic throughout, you can just use a 2 flourescent lamp shoplight with reflectors from the home-improvement store; get one about the same length as your tank. Set it on top of your tank (you may need to prop it up on wood blocks) or suspend it from above. Put two daylight (6700 k) lamps in it. This will give you all the light you need for about 25-30 bucks.
 
Think low-light plants. (Java fern, Java moss, Crypts, Anubias)
 
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