Adding Plants to a new tank

[Steve C]

Hi, I have just setup a Sicce 'Moby Dick' tank (10G) for my daughters and I'm currently cycling with 4 Zebra Danios (great fish by the way, loads of character ). I have just received my purchase of a test kit so will be able to check levels tonight. All seems well with the fish after introducing them 4 days ago. Already been through a slightly cloudy water spell and now its crystal clear.
Now my question. We have about 1.5" of aquarium gravel at the bottom and now want to add some plants.

1) What plants would be good/easy to keep?
2) When would be good to plant them ?
3) Do I need to add anything to the water ?

Thanks for reading

Steve

 

[Clairel]

I have 2 tanks, and have plants in each one.....

I put mine in straight away, good places for the fish to hide etc...I bought mine from the local fish store...

I dont put anything extra in to feed my plants, and i must say, my first tank that has been set up around 10 weeks, the plants in there have grown alot lol

I also have 6 zebra dainos...they are lovely, i added them to my first tank, after it had been set up 2 weeks, the lfs said they were the best to get your tank started, and they are still thriving today

Claire x

 

[kat and james]

good plants to use are java fern and vallis, these are what we have, they are easy to grow, and require minimum maintenance.
we didn't put anything else in the tank to help them grow, though i have heard ppl putting laterite in the tank, although i don't think it is necessary unless you want a super planted tank.
when buying the plants you must wash them to get rid of any stow aways! this includes snails!
the plants need light for at least 8 hours of the day, so they can photosynthesise.
there are some really good threads on here regarding plants and planted tanks, if you type new plants or soemthing like that into the search engine on the forum, you'll be able to find plenty of info regarding putting plants into your tank, and other ppl's info is much better tahn mine!!
good luck!

 

[Steve C]

Hi, I have just setup a Sicce 'Moby Dick' tank (10G) for my daughters and I'm currently cycling with 4 Zebra Danios (great fish by the way, loads of character ). I have just received my purchase of a test kit so will be able to check levels tonight. All seems well with the fish after introducing them 4 days ago. Already been through a slightly cloudy water spell and now its crystal clear.
Now my question. We have about 1.5" of aquarium gravel at the bottom and now want to add some plants.

1) What plants would be good/easy to keep?
2) When would be good to plant them ?
3) Do I need to add anything to the water ?

Thanks for reading

Steve

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[Steve C]

Thank you Clairel, Kat and James for your prompt replies.

Could I just ask whether:

1) Did you buy bunched plants or plants in pots?
2) If bunched is it just a matter of just pushing them into the gravel or did you tie them to something ?

Sorry but I haven't got green fingers

Steve

 

[Clairel]

I have both in my tank, some with little terracota pots, and some that are tied with a little weight, you just push it into your sand/gravel...

I have a variety in mine, some bushy ones, leafy ones etc...i havnt got a clue what there called, i got them from the lfs

C x

 

[houndour]

1) What plants would be good/easy to keep?
2) When would be good to plant them ?
3) Do I need to add anything to the water ?

I'm totally basing this reply on the assumption that you have less than 1.5 WPG of light.

1) Java Fern, Java Moss, Anubias
2) Straight away
3)Water changes should be enough to provide this plants with the nutrients they need

The plants I've mentioned all attach themselves to wood/rock.

 

[Steve C]

Will adding plants effect the Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate levels ?

Thanks Again

Steve

 

[SkiFletch]

Will adding plants effect the Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate levels ?

Thanks Again

Steve

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depends on the type of plants. almoast all green plants will lower or help control nitrAte levels as plants chemically fix it for energy. your mileage may vary with the bioload on the tank. I believe that I've seen in my readings that there are some varieties that can use ammonia or nitrIte, but I have no idea of any species that would do so and be good for a starter tank like yours. as a general rule of thumb though, its bacteria that use ammonia/nitrites, and plants that use nitrates (algae included)

 

[annka5]

Re: bunched plants/ plants in pots - often your LFS will be selling cuttings, i'e. they'll not be rooted properly, so it won't really matter which you buy. Wouldn't let that put you off though as they generally root easily enough.
I prefer them in bunches, but think its more a personal taste thing than anything else.
I'd plant them direct into the gravel, and maybe add a pellet of fertilizer every few months if they look like they could do with perking up a bit.