Wanting to try a planted tank, but SCARED!!!!

Hi All-
I am getting a 10 gallon tank this weekend from a friend who no longer wants it. I really really want to try having live plants along with some fishies, but I am scared to death that i will either kill the plants or the fish!

Can anyone give me some insight on questions like:
What kind of substrate to use
special plant requirements
certain fish etc.

I have a hang on the back power filter and a heater and a lighted hood. But i was wondering if i can use gravel (as sand is not readily available) and if i have to have any special lights, fish, etc.

Also how do i know what kind of plants are low lights? At my LFS they just have all of them in one huge tank!

Thanks soooooo much, as right now i am hesitant to try a planted tank, but they look so wonderful and enjoyable!

You could try easy plants that are near impossible to kill like Java fern and Anubias. I grow Java fern in gravel and it does just fine. I grow Anubias on driftwood and it looks really good. The good thing about these plants is they can do well in relatively low light and have broad leaves so the fish are less likely to eat them. HTH

I have two Java ferns that are doing fine in gravel with low to moderate light. The big guy is actually budding off now... I was worried about the sword for a while, but it's doing okay. I add plant food every other water change and trim the sword every few weeks. The biggest hassle was the initial planting in such a small tank.

Susan

Nina7777 said:

I am scared to death that i will either kill the plants or the fish!

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That thought scares me as well in my own tank. I'd encourage you to read the topics Rose has kindly pinned to the top of this forum. I'd particularly encourage you to read this link right here. This kind of information and the links from the pinned topic have been invaluable to me as I'm starting my first foray into aquatic plants. I learned a lot about good beginner plants and substrate/lighting choices.

[/QUOTE] But i was wondering if i can use gravel (as sand is not readily available)

Try childrens Playpit sand, make sure you wash it well

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I just planted my 1st tank last night! I think I overbought, but it looks so much better now than before...

Good luck with the planting! May you have to prune daily!


Edit: Sorry for the lousy photo. Only have a phone camera. Someday...

Sure, you can use gravel.

You don't have to get new lights, provided you select the correct plants at the beginning (and are happy with just low-light plants). In addition to the Proven Performers in the link sinistral gave, you could check out the Plant Profile section at Plantgeek.

Hi All-
Thanks for all the great suggestions and comments! And i definately read the thing about the top plant performers! I think I'll stick to Java ferns and the anubias! I'm going to set-up the tank this weekend, but probably wont get my plants till next weekend. I'll let everyone know how it goes! Oh yeah and I think your tank looks great!

Hi..I love my planted tank!!!!I am surprised how well it is doing.First of all my tank is a 15high and I have acidic water..I put some small java and some other plant (hydra or something like that..cant you tell I am new at this?)
anyway the plants are large and lush now..the java fills quarter of the tank and the hydra reaches the top of the tank with lush growth..I will try to take picture..the only problem I have is during water changes..I try to do most of the siphoning under the java fern as the roots are not in my gravel..I just used regular gravel as the subtrate too..I am very pleased with it!!!!!I have some rummy nose tetras swimming through the paradise and it is so neat to watch
bettalady