What do I need - Plant types, light, ferts

[abcdefghi]

I have pretty much decided that instead of looking for some more fish stock for my 55G, I instead want to keep current inhabitants as is (3 angels) and work at switching out the fake plants for real plants.

The thing is, I have no idea where to start, what types of plants to get, what type of substrate etc. I am hoping to get some recommendations/info on what I should be looking for. This is what I know, and what I want:

I need low light plants, as I only have about 1.5WPG to work with, I want plants that my angels are going to enjoy (so believe I need tall plants) but I also want a variety of background/foreground plants. I have a sand substrate (and really don't want to change this) and soft acidic water. I don't want to have to deal with Co2 (but also don't think that with low light plants I will need it). Do I need to use fertilizers? How long do I need to leave the lights on for?

I think thats about it for now, off to plantgeek now to see what info I can find there.

Thanks.

 

[Star_Rider]

there are actually quite a few plants you can try.
Hornwort, anacharis,crypts(several with some that grow pretty tall ), java fern, java moss, you may try vals.
most of these plants won't need much and with 1.5 wpg no CO2.

 

[mountain_webste]

I recently went through this process and I also have angels. The following is my experience more then advice as I'm still learning plants myself. I did get lots of good info on plantgeek and through the advice of folks here so you're off to a good start.

I added crypts, java moss, java fern and anubias. My angels like hanging out in the crypts as they are tall; they also hide out under the java fern that's attached to drift wood when I'm doing water changes - since it's off the substrate on driftwood it acts like an umbrella.

Remember that , if you get it, java fern is best attached (using string/fishing line etc)to decor and not planted in substrate.

As for lights, my understanding is that there's not a set rule since there are so many variables. You may have to experiment for a few months to get the right balance. I was doing 14 hrs @ 2W/gallon and started getting some fuzz algae on my plants. I'm still experimenting.

I stopped using carbon in my filters as I beleive it takes the essential micro nutrients out of the water column that many plants need to survive. I've not had any problems with water discoloration/odor.

Anyway, my 2 cents...I'm so happy I went with real plants as my tank, IMO, looks sooo much better now.

 

[abcdefghi]

Thanks for the replies, I had a look at some of the plant profiles on Planygeek, and came up with this list:

Anacharis
Hornwort
Java Fern
Java Moss
Watersprite
Anubias barteri
Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
Cryptocoryne spiralis

Would these plants all likely give me a good range (small, medium, large) of plants? Also, are most of these plants easy enough to come by? If so then I think all I need to do is start shopping.

 

[Star_Rider]

well I found out that there are a few different species of java fern..
I have 3 ..lace leaf, needle leaf and regular.
they can vary in ht and are usually slow growers..tho one day you may find you have a lot of java fern(that's usually when I give it away)
the selectiopn of plants you have should be fine.
don't forget the driftwood..makes for great decoration, structutre and can be useful when adding height to the plants(since you can strap plants to it)

 

[jpappy789]

Thanks for the replies, I had a look at some of the plant profiles on Planygeek, and came up with this list:

Anacharis
Hornwort
Java Fern
Java Moss
Watersprite
Anubias barteri
Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
Cryptocoryne spiralis

Would these plants all likely give me a good range (small, medium, large) of plants? Also, are most of these plants easy enough to come by? If so then I think all I need to do is start shopping.

This looks like a good starting list: all are easy to take care of and pretty easy to find at LFS's. I would maybe just choose one crypt but thats just my thought...