hi - Plant Beginner
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I would recommend reading these threads as a start if you haven't already. There is a lot to say when it comes to growing plants, but in practice it is pretty easy.
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...approach-natural-planted-aquarium-part-34861/
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...approach-natural-planted-aquarium-part-34859/
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...approach-natural-planted-aquarium-part-34858/
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...approach-natural-planted-aquarium-part-34861/
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...approach-natural-planted-aquarium-part-34859/
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...approach-natural-planted-aquarium-part-34858/
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840 Posts
I just started keeping plants about 8-10 weeks ago after learning how to take care of them on this forum. Some of the best growers for me are anacharis, hornwort, echinodorus argentum, and anubias.
Hope this helps you. Good luck
Hope this helps you. Good luck
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Let's keep it on topic - they want to get their feet wet with plants. Your method for maintaining a tank is not going to help them learn the ropes.
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Hi Vinayak! Welcome to TFK!
Looks like you've already gotten some good input here!
I second Olympia's suggestion, read those three links she posted for sure! I found that article to be extremely helpful when I started my first planted tank, and still do things in same way seven tanks later! RSSkylight has provided you with a few very easy-to-keep plants, as well!
Most people don't have to do very much differently to start growing plants in their tank - I've successfully grown plants in gravel, sand, and dirt-substrates - many people over-complicate things unnecessarily. The most important thing that you should look into is ensuring that the lights on your tanks contain a full-spectrum bulb, you'll need a rating of 6500k to support plant growth. Lighting is discussed in detail in part four of that article, here: A Basic Approach to the Natural Planted Aquarium--Part four
I hope this information helps you - it can seem a bit mind boggling at first, but it's really easy to do, and your fish will thank you for it! Please feel free to post with any additional questions you have - we're always happy to help, and again - welcome to our forum!
Looks like you've already gotten some good input here!
I second Olympia's suggestion, read those three links she posted for sure! I found that article to be extremely helpful when I started my first planted tank, and still do things in same way seven tanks later! RSSkylight has provided you with a few very easy-to-keep plants, as well!
Most people don't have to do very much differently to start growing plants in their tank - I've successfully grown plants in gravel, sand, and dirt-substrates - many people over-complicate things unnecessarily. The most important thing that you should look into is ensuring that the lights on your tanks contain a full-spectrum bulb, you'll need a rating of 6500k to support plant growth. Lighting is discussed in detail in part four of that article, here: A Basic Approach to the Natural Planted Aquarium--Part four
I hope this information helps you - it can seem a bit mind boggling at first, but it's really easy to do, and your fish will thank you for it! Please feel free to post with any additional questions you have - we're always happy to help, and again - welcome to our forum!
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In case you want to have fish to accompany the plants, if you want to propagate livebearers and/or bubblenest builders, I found that non-anchored Water Sprite works well. The baby fish like to hide among it and male bubblenest builders will use it for their nests.
I also liked the plant bulbs. It was mix and they spread like crazy, some with flowers that looked like pipe cleaners. They were also cheap!
Just a thought...
I also liked the plant bulbs. It was mix and they spread like crazy, some with flowers that looked like pipe cleaners. They were also cheap!
Just a thought...
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Good thought, Jim!
I've found that many fish appreciate the shade of floating plants - breeding aside, even! Water Sprite is hands-down my favorite floater. Duckweed and Frogbit are also very easy to keep.
Floating plants at the surface will decrease the light that reaches the substrate - so it's important to keep the lighting needs of each type of plant in mind when you set up the tank. I do best with Crypts, Anubias, Java fern, and common Amazon sword plants in my low-light tanks - beneath the Water Sprite, of course! ~.^
I've found that many fish appreciate the shade of floating plants - breeding aside, even! Water Sprite is hands-down my favorite floater. Duckweed and Frogbit are also very easy to keep.
Floating plants at the surface will decrease the light that reaches the substrate - so it's important to keep the lighting needs of each type of plant in mind when you set up the tank. I do best with Crypts, Anubias, Java fern, and common Amazon sword plants in my low-light tanks - beneath the Water Sprite, of course! ~.^
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