Planting Up Tank

[windhopper]

Hi everyone.
I've got a rekord 800 (110 litres approx) its got 2 X 18watt bulbs in it and baisically thats as much as i know. Ive had it almost a year and tried plants with little success - but there again my parents just said "stick it in and it'll grow."

Just recently it has sprung a leak so has had to be emptied out so we can redo the sealant on it, and hence has provided me the opportunity to completely restart it - id like to swap to a pale sand for my corydoras (my current sustrate is dark and doesnt show them off )

So, I really need help on: What sort of plants i could grow well with ease, and low tech if possible.

Thanks.
Jorel

 

[mattlee]

most people will tell you that a darker substrate will show a fishes colour more as it doesnt reflect the light as much back onto the fish. this is also why alot of people use a black or dark blue background. they will really prefer a sand substrate, what corys are they?

 

[windhopper]

most people will tell you that a darker substrate will show a fishes colour more as it doesnt reflect the light as much back onto the fish. this is also why alot of people use a black or dark blue background. they will really prefer a sand substrate, what corys are they?

They are C. aenus, and are a chocolate browny colour. The only reason i thought of it was because the lfs are being really kind and looking after them for me while i fix the leak and they have a pale sand substate and the cory's look so much nicer, they almost vanished against my substrate and were really hard to see.

 

[windhopper]

*bump*

 

[Nick16]

all plants need the big 3. Light, co2 and nutrients (supplied in the form of ferts)

now if one or ore of these are limiting you are going to restrict the growth of the plant.
so take a look into co2 and fertilisers. (aaronnorth has written good topics on here and has good articles in his signature)

easy low light low tech plants include

Vallisnera
Java fern
Anubias
Bolbitis
Most types of mosses
Crypts