Is There Anything Else I Need To Start Planting?

[Khanna]

Okay, on my list are
 
API Master Test Kit
Aquarium Lights
Osmocote Plant Food
Aquarium Tweezers and Scissors
Seachem Flourish Excel
 
Is there anything else I need before I start buying plants?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

A tank, substrate and water would be good.  

 

[Khanna]

 That might be a good idea xD
 
 But aside from that, am I good once my tank is cycled?

 

[Robbo89]

You don't even need to wait until your tank is cycled, start adding the plants whenever you want! They will actually love the water conditions your tank will boast while cycling so it is even better if you can add them early on. Other than that, you may want to look at some type of plant fertilizer but thats a personal preference and not required for keeping happy plants

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I believe Osmocote is only a terrestrial plant fertilizer.  You need AQUARIUM fertilizers, try Seachem.
 
 
The more important question is are you going high tech, or low tech?  Given that you listed Excel, I'm guessing somewhere in between.  The lights are going to need to be fairly high intensity or else adding carbon isn't necessary.  
 
Also, what type of plants are you looking to keep?  Some are root feeders, others can pull nutrients straight from the water column.

 

[Khanna]

Robbo: Thanks for the advice! I'll start planting soon
Eagles: I've seen several sources list osmocote as a succesful fertilizer for aquariums, but correct me if I'm wrong Also, I'm not doing CO2 injections (really, I think I'd botch it) but the excel and my lighting (3 watts per gallon) almost get me to high tech- but I'm staying safe at low. Also, I'm getting some crypts, java fern, a few anubias, and dwarf saggitaria.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I've never heard of it being used successfully.  What's the nitrogen source?  Is it ammonium nitrate?  If so, then that's a no-no.  Ammonium is what you are trying to eliminate by the cycling process - dumping that into the tank as a fert is going to be continually poisoning your fish.  
 
I'd stick to a strictly aquarium-safe fertilizer, like Seachem, or similar.
 
 
Those plants are generally considered the easier ones.  The java fern and anubias need to be tied to decor, not planted into the substrate.  Speaking of which, what type of substrate are you looking at.
 
 
BTW, 3 WPG is a LOT of light.  I'd keep the photoperiod short.  You can always extend it.

 

[Khanna]

Okay, in the case, I'll swap to Seachem. And I've got play sand as a substrate at the moment. How long would you recommend the photoperiod be?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'd start at about 4-5 hours. You can always increase if necessary. Too much and you'll get lots of algae.

 

[Robbo89]

I have about 2.5 WPG and was always told to have 8 hours of light a day. Thinking back on this, I don't know who/why I was told that, seems rather excessive... 

 

[Khanna]

 Okay, so I'll get a timer. I appreciate all your help!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I have about 2.5 WPG and was always told to have 8 hours of light a day. Thinking back on this, I don't know who/why I was told that, seems rather excessive... 

I run mine for about 7-8, I can't remember exactly right now. But I have 0.3 wpg in one tank and 1.2 wpg in the other. One has algae the other does not. Care to guess which?

 

[SO19Firearms]

Osmocote will be fine. Just make sure you cap it well with your substrate. You might still want to consider a liquid fertiliser for foliar feeding and any new plants with poor roots or Java fern, mosses, anubius etc.....

IMO

 

[Khanna]

"Cap it well"? What do you mean? Sorry for the dumb question.

 

[snazy]

As Eagles said, you can't use osmocote in the water column as it contains ammonia.
But it's used as a root fertilizer depending on what form you have, you can burry it deep in the substrate near plants so it doesn't leach the ammonia in the water column. I've read it's used inside clay for example, and then inserted in the substrate. You don't want to disturb it by accident.