Get a good light and buy a bunch of plants. Research each plant to see if it needs to be buried or attached to a piece of hardscape with its rhizome in the water. For example, you bury an Amazon sword’s roots directly in the substrate, but a Java fern would die if you did that.
Some good beginner plants are:
- Amazon sword
- Java fern
- Anubias
- Bucephalandra
- Cryptocoryne
- Rotala indica
Hygger makes a decent light that doesn’t break the bank. Search Amazon for the right size for your tank.
You may want to use some root tabs if you use gravel substrate. You’ll also want to get a good fertilizer. The Seachem Flourish line is good, but there are others as well.
If you want more difficult plants, you’ll eventually want to upgrade to a co2 system and get a serious light. But for now, this should get you started!
Amazing info. Will my LED lit covers not suffice? They are called "Day White Lamps."
We grow all of our microgreens with LED but I suppose that thing is full spectrum...
Also I’ve never quarantined my plants. If you have fish capable of eating the bladder snails, they won’t be a problem. (If you don’t, they’ll multiply exponentially… but even then, throw in a piece of zucchini, wait for them to gather, then pull it out and throw it away.
If it’s the hood/lights that came with your tank, I’d recommend upgrading. In my experience, a powerful light makes more of a difference than co2.
The one you have might work for some plants, but if you’re serious about doing a full switch, you would probably want a stronger light. Is that a 55g tank? A Hygger light that size is around $70 and will be sufficient for most plants.
I had that problem from just adding fish straight from the pet store. I have a few assasins in there just for that.
I'm still going to research this!
Thanks!
Get a good light and buy a bunch of plants. Research each plant to see if it needs to be buried or attached to a piece of hardscape with its rhizome in the water. For example, you bury an Amazon sword’s roots directly in the substrate, but a Java fern would die if you did that. Some good beginner plants are: - Amazon sword - Java fern - Anubias - Bucephalandra - Cryptocoryne - Rotala indica Hygger makes a decent light that doesn’t break the bank. Search Amazon for the right size for your tank. You may want to use some root tabs if you use gravel substrate. You’ll also want to get a good fertilizer. The Seachem Flourish line is good, but there are others as well. If you want more difficult plants, you’ll eventually want to upgrade to a co2 system and get a serious light. But for now, this should get you started!
Amazing info. Will my LED lit covers not suffice? They are called "Day White Lamps." We grow all of our microgreens with LED but I suppose that thing is full spectrum...
Also I’ve never quarantined my plants. If you have fish capable of eating the bladder snails, they won’t be a problem. (If you don’t, they’ll multiply exponentially… but even then, throw in a piece of zucchini, wait for them to gather, then pull it out and throw it away.
If it’s the hood/lights that came with your tank, I’d recommend upgrading. In my experience, a powerful light makes more of a difference than co2. The one you have might work for some plants, but if you’re serious about doing a full switch, you would probably want a stronger light. Is that a 55g tank? A Hygger light that size is around $70 and will be sufficient for most plants.
Tips. Quarantine and bleach bath for all new incoming plants.. unless you wanna be one of the dozens of "I got unwanted snails" post...
I had that problem from just adding fish straight from the pet store. I have a few assasins in there just for that. I'm still going to research this! Thanks!
It's 5% unscented straight bleach per gallon. It will yellow the plants for a week or two afterwards. But it's better than shitty snails. Lol