New Plant Setup

[biggin]

I am thinking about setting up a planted aquarium, any suggestions on setting up a planted new aquarium? I am thinking not many fish if any. I am thinking about using one of my 10 gallon tanks but not too sure one what else. I have started reading but any suggestions would be appreciated.

[xtc]

Get some plants that don't require a lot of light to start out with.

I'd be glad to give you some of the stuff I have- java ferns, java moss and some of those other guys you saw in my 55- Free is always a good price when getting started. Fishman hooked me up- so I'm glad to keep it goin like that.

Substrate is important- I have at least enough for a 10g tank that I can give you as well.

I can show you the fertilizer also- it's like $8.00 a bottle at the LFS.

You can really go off the deep end with lighting, CO2, fertilizer, etc. It just depends on how far you wanna go and what plants you accidently get that make you go that far.


You say no fish- I would suggest a pair of apisto's, just for color and entertainment. Shrimp are pretty cool too- but not the prawns.

As I always say- just enjoy the journey. :cool:

[rolloffhill]

That kinda got me to thinking, I would like to turn my 75 in the living room into something else. The wife thinks she is gonna get her space back to put an antique table up. I just need to convince her how KEWL and nice planted tank with some little cards schooling in there would be:noidea:.:spend:

[biggin]

Thanks Chris, for right now I am just wanting to start something, I am sure it will grow. Also I would like something that will help out with the snail production.

Yes, free is always good, I am not picky a nice green tank is always good, also makes the wife happy.

What about filtration? I know the plants are supposed to do some, seems like some water flow would be good, I was thinking I could just use one the HOBs I have.

I was thinking that I would prob. do some Cherry Shrimp or something once it is up and running. Apisto's would be cool, nice suggestion.

I think I have just enough wood to build a stand…. Woo hoo something new to do.

Any help is always appreciated.

[xtc]

gimmie a couple days warning and I'll go thru the tank and pull more than enough. I'll go ahead and measure a tank of substrate and bag it. Your existing HOB will be just fine. I can even help you out on the apistos when the time comes too.

Canh is ordering shrimp and those will go dirt cheap. I'll letcha know when they get here- I'll proly buy a few too many of those as well. ;)

Tell you're wife "man, that Chris guy is givin me all this stuff- I didn't BUY a thing". That always works well..just bring her over and I'll send Logan home with her. :whistle:

[biggin]

Kids always like her, she is seems to be good with them.

I will just say Chris is giving me stuff she will be really confused.... Seems like everyone I know is named Chris or something close, 3 of my neighbors = Chris, best friend = Chris, wife = Christine. When we were pulling up to your house she was asked what your name was and I said Chris and she just started laughing.

I should have just given you the XP3....

I think I am going to build the stand this weekend so I will try and start setting it up next weekend, depends on if I go down to Austin to watch some Longhorn Football. Just get the 55 up and happy and now #3 goes back up.

[xtc]

wouldn'ta happened-

I play "good karma" to the hilt- I'm always trying to pay it forward.

[biggin]

Sounds like a good policy and good for the hobby.

[ElijahTurtle]

Here are 4 good lowlight/med light plants for a 10G tank
Chris alread mentioned the first one:
Java fern - propagates really well slow to moderate growth
Anubias nana - slow growth handles low light well akes an attractive center piece in a small setup.
Dwarf sagittaria - propogates well stas fairly short makes a good forground plant
Cryptocoryne wendtii - It's one of the easier to find crypts does well in low light & is a good contrast plant to the brighter greens.
Java Moss - grows rapidly positive impact on water quality, makes a nice backgound when planted in mess to create a "moss wall" effect.

All these stay fairly small and won't outgrow a 10G & are easy to care for, best of all they are readily available at most plant friendly LFS's.

Like Chris I can probably pull some java fern & mabey some sprigs of the dwarf sag if you would like.

[biggin]

Thanks Turtle of Thunder, I will keep that in mind...

How about CO2? Will a DIY setup work or do I need to buy something if so will the little basic setups I see everywhere work (like $20-$30).... or is it not necessary for a small tank ? I have read it is and was thinking it would be but hey what do I know.

[biggin]

Thanks Chris, way more then I expected. :clap:

[xtc]

I felt bad about asking for $$- so I had to over do it.

I look forward to your pics.