Question about nitrates?

[kbmdale]

Kinda new to the planted tanks so bare with me.

Tank background:
Ok I took down a 10g tank I have had stable for a year now(barbs moved to bigger tank). I saved 3/4 of the water from the established tank breakdown, cleaned the tank, added 1 inch potting soil(no additives) and 2-3 inches of medium grain sand, then put the water back in that came from the established tank and topped it off. The tank has been set up for 3 days now. The water is not cloudy everything looks good.

I am now ready to get a few(2-3) plants. I have 1-15 nofl daylight bulb, but heard thats ok to start. Do plants feed off the nitrates in the water? If so could I not just add the water I get out of my Mollie breeding tank to this planted tank for water changes. It would already have nitrate. I will have the 2 tanks mirror water parameters cause this is going to be my fry tank.

And what plants would be good to start with?

 

[benedictj]

You are pretty much relgated to low light plants with only 1.5 wpg. I would stick with cobamba, java fern, low light crypts. Also, since it will be a fry tank, the addition of java moss is always good for fry.

As far as nitrates go, you probably will supply an adequate amount through food and fish waste without the addition of water from the other tank. In fact, with low lights and only a few plants, you'll probably need to change with fresh water to keep the nitrates at the desired of under 20 ppm, At least once the fry reach an adequate size and start eating more and producing more waste.

 

[ergo sum]

To start I would use something that grows pretty easily and quickly. Something that likes to root feed. Personally I think you have plenty of light to grow many things. What comes to mind are crypts, anubias, short vals, lilaeopsis, and swords.

I would be tempted to start with echinodoras tennellus, the little sword plant, lilaeopsis, or maybe sagittaria subulata probably because I like ground covers. Along with some spiral val. Then add crypts or some anubias latter or maybe java fern after things are starting to grow a little.