What can I put in this tank?

[GreenHephaestus]

I have a 29 gal tank with a homemade filtarion system. 55 watts of 10,000k and 60 watts of 6,500k lighting ( a little less that 4 watts per gallong, but the 60 watt 6,500k lights are comprised of two daylight flourescent bulbs from walmart in lamps)

I also have drift wood from lake erie which appears to be growing whispy whiteish stuff on it, but it is sparse and easily rubbed off. I did sterilize the wood in an oven, and have been leeching the wood and preforming water changes for about a month.

I am using sea-chem flourite and onxy sand, about 3 inches deep over all. I also mixed in peat pellets, for filter use, with my substrate thinking that it might supply plant roots better(?).

watet paremeters:
PH 8.2
KH 140 ppm (7.9 degrees?)
GH 140 ppm (7.9 degrees?)
(I have no fish yet so the amonia and nitrate levels are nil)

The tank is empty asside what I have listed abobe, and I have a DIY CO2 system ready to go. I like the look of moss and small grass like plants.

What additions should I consider to my system?

What kinds of plants can I, as a first timer, grow with out difficulty?

What kind of fish are okay to have with plants? I like fish that school or have personality.

Should I add plants first, then fish or the otherway around?

give me some wisdom :thm:

 

[djlen]

a little less that 4 watts per gallon, but the 60 watt 6,500k lights are comprised of two daylight fluorescent bulbs from walmart in lamps

With this lighting I would recommend planting and planting heavily first. Get the CO2 started as soon as you plant.
IMO, you will also need to dose the standard regimen of N,K,P and traces, and I would get them as soon after planting as possible(before planting would be better so you have them).
A good site for nutrients: www.gregwatson.com/
You will be able to grow just about anything under that light with that substrate. A very plant-friendly environment.
Good starter plants which will also lend some color are Ludwegia, and Rotala.
They are stem plants and will use a bunch of nutrients and come up nice and pink/red for you. They are also relatively small leaved plants, which it sounds like you want. There are many other varieties of stem plants that will grow well for a newbie, and you might also consider Anubia and Cryptocoryne. And the old standbys Java Fern and Java Moss.
E. tenellus (3-4" high), and an even shorter micro-sword are available and would grow nicely for you.
I always suggest that folks with newly set up tanks consider some variety of floating plant to use nutrients and shade the tank in the beginning while the in-substrate plants grow in.
Try to load that tank with as many plants as you can afford and toss in a couple of hardy fish to get the 'cycle' started. If you have enough plants there really will be no cycle. The plants will protect the fish while the tank matures.
A good site for more information: www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/articles.htm

Len

 

[GreenHephaestus]

what about ph, kh and gh?

Seems like I have many options...I don't want to overload my tank with a multitued of variteties of plants. I think alot of sword grass, java fern and moss, and just a few others might look nice...I want to avoid the cluttered look if I can. It is going to be packed full of plants, I want it to look natural. Thanks for the advice len!

What about my water parameters...everything is in check then? not too hard or basic?

 

[reiverix]

Just my 2 cents here but you also might want to think of a few other plants to add some diversity and color. You have the lighting for it so why stick with plants you can grow with a third of your wattage, with maybe the exception of grassy types.

You should be fine with your water parameters. Plants are quite versatile.