Setting Up My First Ever Planted Tank

[mrsblack10272]

Sorry didnt really know where to put this topic, I thought here would be safest for now!

I am in the process of doing LOTS of research into good hardy and sturdy beginner plants. I have found so many and now need help choosing between my favourites from some of you more experienced people!
Ok so my tank is 20 gallon and I know I want three different background plants and maybe 2 different mid ground/forground ones.
For the background I DEFINATLY want Vallisneria spiralis.
I would then like one redish plant, either:
a) Ludwigia arcuata
b) Ludwigia repens
c) Rotala rotundifolia
d) Alternanthera reineckii (rosefolia)
Then I would like a green plant that is either fine leaf or not but one of these:
a) Ceratophyllum demersum
b) Ceratopteris thalictroides
c) Hygrophila polysperma
d) Shinnersia rivularis
e) Juncus repens
f) Bacopa Carolina
And for midground/forground plants I need to pick 2 out of these:
a) Cryptocoryne Willisii
b) Staurogyne sp.
c) Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv'
d) Cardamine lyrata
e) Eleocharis Parvula
And lastly floating I was thinking about:
a) Salvinia natans
b) Pistia stratiotes

Eek sorry for such a long list! Any comments much appreciated thankyou x

 

[mrsblack10272]

No one owned these plants?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Although i am unable to help (i only have plastic plants in my tanks) please try here------>

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/forum/10-plants-and-planted-tanks/

Terry.

 

[Proxo]

Im a noob with plants too , can't help you with the other plants but;

I've got some Alternanthera Rosefolia in my tank, it's surviving but isn't doing well enough to look nice, for me anyway.
Not long planted so that could be the cause though, i read it does better in a slightly higher lighting condition.

 

[KrystaK]

I have Hornwart and Moneywart in my tank and the Hornwart is doing wonderfully. It doesn't appear to be n the list but it's a very bushy fine plant, great for live bearers and their fry.

 

[mrsblack10272]

I have Hornwart and Moneywart in my tank and the Hornwart is doing wonderfully. It doesn't appear to be n the list but it's a very bushy fine plant, great for live bearers and their fry.

Thanks! By Moneywort do you mean Bacopa monnieri?

 

[Fishy friend2]

i honestly have not had any of those plants on your list but i nave kept these plants in a low tech setup
hornwort
moneywort
pennywort
water wisteria
aquatic poppy
java moss
amozon sword plants
argentine sword plants
anacharis
duckweed
parrots feather
bannana plants
green cabomba
and some easy ones i heard of, but never kept are
anubias nana
java fern
vallis
crystal wort
flame moss
Xmas moss
mini swords
guppy grass
and water sprite

 

[mrsblack10272]

Thanks.
So right now I am thinking:
Background - Vallisneria Spiralis, Hygrophila polysperma and Ceratophyllum demersum, Bacopa monneri
Mid ground - Cryptocoryne willisii, Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv'.
Foreground - Eleocharis parvula
Other - Java moss
Floating - Salvinia natans, Pistia stratiotes

What can/could I attach the Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv' onto and what's the safest way to do so?
Does java moss have to be attached to something too?
Xx
P.s. There seems to be little information on melting plants what is it exactly and what do I need to look out for?

 

[Fishy friend2]

from doing a little research on salvania natans, I have found out that they can grow quite fast and block light from getting to the plants completely submerged. So you might have to take some out monthly or weekly, to keep your submerged palings growing well

And that from knowledge and from experience water lettuce is VERY invasive, and I really think you should not have it at all, it is so invasive that it is illegal in many, many states here in the U.S, including the one I'm in, it is so invasive because naturally it dies off in the winter but it does not get as cold and that will be the same case for a tropical setup

And when you get the money wort, it will more than likely melt as this always happens to me when I get moneywort

 

[Mikaila31]

Most 'red' plants are only going to be red at high light levels which are not all that easy to maintain.

To be fair a lot of aquarium plants are invasives in the US, water lettuce is just one. Cabomba, parrot feather, and anacharis are invasive species as well. If by aquatic poppy you mean Hydrocleys nymphoides then thats a likely introduced exotic. Not on any lists yet but has been found growing wild in a couple of southern states. Nearby Minnesota prohibits it. Its a risky exotic species as can likely become invasive. Cabomba is native to some southern states, but is an introduced invasive in many northern states. It was only a few years ago that it became a prohibited plant in Wisconsin. Eventually Minnesota will probably do the same.

Hygrophilia polysperma is on the federal noxious weed list. You won't find any/many places selling this and if they are they are not suppose to be. Sometimes you can find people that still grow it. Though possessing it is technically illegal.

There are lots of other aquarium plants that are invasive or prohibited federally or in specific states.

 

[mrsblack10272]

Ok so what floating plants would you recommend that are easy.

What about water sprite and luwidgia frowns on my background list instead?

Oh and how many light tube wattages do I need for a 15gallon (60litre) aquarium and how do I achieve this in such a small tank with such a small hood?
Is it ok for aquariums to be in direct sunlight, will this help?

 

[Fishy friend2]

sounds good, and about the lighting i would say maybe 2 15 watts, for the direct sunlight. many members on here have had experience with this and found out that it causes alot of algae problems

 

[mrsblack10272]

Thanks but how do I fit both tubes on one small hood? And how do I connect another 'plug socket' up?
My tank is currently lighted by one Interpet double tube that has four 'prongs' on the end. It is a 24 w 12 inch. Alone it pretty much takes up all the spare room on my hood!
If I can attach another tube on what do I protect the tube with?! My tank seems to spray up a lot of water, how do I stop this from wrecking my tubes?
Xx

 

[Fishy friend2]

well i would usually would advise 1.5 watts per gallon for a low tech setup so 1 20 watt could work well if it is okay for the hood to handle, and i have never had any problems with the water wrecking the tubes

 

[mrsblack10272]

well i would usually would advise 1.5 watts per gallon for a low tech setup so 1 20 watt could work well if it is okay for the hood to handle, and i have never had any problems with the water wrecking the tubes

Thanks. With the plants I have listed today though I am expecting I will need a higher wattage somehow.
Unfortunatly I loose tubes regularly in my tank and don't know what to do about it. They get too covered in water and eventually the filaments and 'prongs' go rusty. I use a tube every 4 months easily but cannot find a way to stop this