Want to try a planted tank again and am effectively starting from scratch (physically and mentally)

[Snagrio]

To give a little background, I currently have a 55 gal larger species community and am in the blueprint stage of expanding to a 100+ gal (125 is my aim) system. Tried live plants some years ago and things just weren't working out all that well due to lack of knowledge so I just went with all fake decor, but when this new upgrade starts I'd like to convert to a mostly if not fully natural environment.

The big questions I have are the usual suspects like substrate recommendations, lighting requirements, if CO2 if required, ect. I do have some beginner species in mind to try like hornwort, anubias, Java fern and Java moss (have had experience with the latter two). Would also love to try vallisneria if possible to see if I can't get that lovely effect where they grow and form a "roof" of blades over the surface.

But the big key here is I have large clown loaches that like to dig so I'm focused on plants that don't need to be planted in the substrate. Though I've heard if you give things several weeks to grow beforehand and establish roots they'll be able to withstand the shenanigans better? Would like to hear thoughts on that.

 

[Essjay]

Almost all my plants are the type attached to decor. Java fern (windelov and narrow leaf), anubias (in my main tank, a large species and a small species which I can't remember the names of, and A. bonsai in the shrimp tank), Bolbitis heudeloti, and several species of bucephalandra. I am also experimenting with plants rooted in the substrate - a few crypts, I chose all low light species, and Schismatoglottis prietoi (which can be grown on decor as well as in the substrate). I also have Amazon frogbit covering the surface of both tanks. In the past I've used hornwort - not planted but wound round a piece of branched wood. I got rid of it in the end as it grew so well it strangled the other plants.
I do not use CO2, I do use a liquid fertilser for the non-rooted plants (Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement) and I also got some Seachem Flourish root tabs when I got the crypts.


If I can grow these, anyone can

 

[DAnCSF]

To give a little background, I currently have a 55 gal larger species community and am in the blueprint stage of expanding to a 100+ gal (125 is my aim) system. Tried live plants some years ago and things just weren't working out all that well due to lack of knowledge so I just went with all fake decor, but when this new upgrade starts I'd like to convert to a mostly if not fully natural environment.

The big questions I have are the usual suspects like substrate recommendations, lighting requirements, if CO2 if required, ect. I do have some beginner species in mind to try like hornwort, anubias, Java fern and Java moss (have had experience with the latter two). Would also love to try vallisneria if possible to see if I can't get that lovely effect where they grow and form a "roof" of blades over the surface.

But the big key here is I have large clown loaches that like to dig so I'm focused on plants that don't need to be planted in the substrate. Though I've heard if you give things several weeks to grow beforehand and establish roots they'll be able to withstand the shenanigans better? Would like to hear thoughts on that.

Yup digger ae like gophers in a garden. If you get roote/bulb plans you can plant in substrate with the plastic grid pots in intact, buit that's generally not recommended. Or placing good sized rocks around the base of the plants after you rotted them. good luck....

 

[Fishiemang]

Tie the plants to a big rock, and use that to anchor them into the substrate. Or, you could tuck the planted ones into corners that are difficult for the diggers to get into, and use some.decor to anchor them down, like tuck the roots under it in the substrate.

Some species, it doesn't matter how long you gain roots for. They will dig it up if ya don't anchor them in place. My common pleco does this constantly. Is why it has been difficult to plant my 75.

 

[Snagrio]

Just acquired a 125 gallon a few days ago (came with a number of big cichlids that will be rehomed in a couple weeks) so now my attention has turned to lighting. The hoods currently have LEDs, would that suffice for the likes of Javas (fern/moss), hornwort and anubias? Or do I need better bulbs?