first planted tank
 

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2...lhnoo1_500.jpg

First planted tank.
10 Gallon Planted. API laterite red clay based, Airstone overnight

I just set this up bought the plants like this in petco. there wasn't much of a selection.


Bleheri
???? anubia
Micro sword


Bolivian Ram


19 watt


its temporary im trying to set up my 20 gallon with soil and make it a true planted tank then ill put my ram in there with another and some corys.

That's really cool, I've been interested in starting a planted tank but wasn't sure how to start...did you just plant those plants right into the substrate? and how did they tell you to care for them at petco? I heard you need a certain type of lighting...anyway I was interested to hear what you meant by putting soil in your 20 gallon tank to have a real planted tank? Sounds cool to me!

well i had some laterite i put some as the first layer then i applied the gravel and i dug the plants in, the guy didnt really tell me anything just not to move it around too much which i havent. as for lighting i just have a 19watt flourescent from what ive read its more important to have good substrate like clay and soil rather then light.

this guy really knows his stuff, 369. How to make planted aquarium substrate in your fishtank in less than an hour! - YouTube
232. What kinda Lighting on the planted tank. - YouTube

basically i want to add soil and clay to the substrate in my 20 gallon and black gravel as top layer and have a really nice planted tank, im more focused on getting healthy plants then fish right now since i know im gonna be keeping bolivian rams for a while they are really cool i couldnt ask for more. :D

Awesome job on your new planted. You got some big plants there for a 10. Here are a few of my Amazon Swords. They really fill out and are a beautiful plant. I am sure your fish will love them.
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/t...nk/fish006.jpg

Hey Inga, is that green cabomba you have floating at the top of the tank? I have heard people using that as a floating plant. I would like to have something floating just so there is not so much direct light as i get yellow spots on some of my plants and i think the fish would probably like some shade, even thought there is some heavily shaded areas near the bottom/back of the tank.

what I am wondering is if you have thick cover like that on the surface, how does the filter pump work so far as breaking the surface water to allow oxygenation of the water? thats the purpose of the filter pumping onto the surface no?

when i get the 20 gallon up and running im probably gonna get cabombas too they are pretty cool. heres a video of my ram in the tank.