Live plant first timer. My setup, any advice?

travism76 · 07-06-2010, 11:02 PM

First off, I am new to this forum. Hello everyone.

Now, I have been into aquariums before, but this is my first attempt at live plants. Here is my setup right now--

12 gal tank
3 inch layer of eco-complete substrate
2- 20 watt CFL (spiral halogen) bulbs
3 Amazon Swords
1 Anubias Nano

I wasnt sure about the lighting and didnt see many other people talking about using CFL bulbs. They are "daylight" full spectrum bulbs. - has anyone else had any luck with these bulbs?

As far as the plants go: I am probably going to replace the amazon swords. I want sure how tall they would get, but I know think they may outgrow my tank fairly quickly. The anubias nano I plan to replant on a nice peice of driftwood soon.

Does anyone have any suggestions on other easy to maintain small foreground type plants?

NursePlaty · 07-06-2010, 11:19 PM

I use CFL pigtailed 6500K color bulbs, also called daylight bulbs. Dont know what color "full spectrum is".

Since you got 3.3wpg. You can probably grow anything, but since you dont have CO2, you might run into an algae problem.

Other easy foregrounds that are easy in my experience are Baby Tears (HM) and Dwarf Hair Grass. Dwarf Baby Tears (HC) are hard to grow.

Dmaaaaax · 07-07-2010, 02:26 PM

Amazons grow way too big for a 12g tank! I can barely fit 2 (with weekly pruning) in my 75g tank.

Try for smaller plants more suited to a 12-20g tank.

Your lights should be fine, just shoot for 8-9hrs on a day.

Dave B. Anderson · 07-07-2010, 03:12 PM

Get some water sprite!

finatic child · 07-18-2010, 02:49 PM

Nurseplaty: What is the "grassy-looking" plants you have in the foreground?

NursePlaty · 07-19-2010, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finatic child

Nurseplaty: What is the "grassy-looking" plants you have in the foreground?

Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis Parvula)

07-06-2010, 11:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
travism76 Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1 Name: Travis M VanEe Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Live plant first timer. My setup, any advice? First off, I am new to this forum. Hello everyone. Now, I have been into aquariums before, but this is my first attempt at live plants. Here is my setup right now-- 12 gal tank 3 inch layer of eco-complete substrate 2- 20 watt CFL (spiral halogen) bulbs 3 Amazon Swords 1 Anubias Nano I wasnt sure about the lighting and didnt see many other people talking about using CFL bulbs. They are "daylight" full spectrum bulbs. - has anyone else had any luck with these bulbs? As far as the plants go: I am probably going to replace the amazon swords. I want sure how tall they would get, but I know think they may outgrow my tank fairly quickly. The anubias nano I plan to replant on a nice peice of driftwood soon. Does anyone have any suggestions on other easy to maintain small foreground type plants?

07-06-2010, 11:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
NursePlaty Queen Platy NursePlaty's Photo Gallery Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 932 Name: Annie Pham Location: Dallas Ft Worth, Texas Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 266 Times Said "Thanks" 41 Times Was Thanked 186 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Live plant first timer. My setup, any advice? I use CFL pigtailed 6500K color bulbs, also called daylight bulbs. Dont know what color "full spectrum is". Since you got 3.3wpg. You can probably grow anything, but since you dont have CO2, you might run into an algae problem. Other easy foregrounds that are easy in my experience are Baby Tears (HM) and Dwarf Hair Grass. Dwarf Baby Tears (HC) are hard to grow. __________________ 55gallon Light - 6500K CFL, 23wattsx5 5hr/day Substrate - Red Mexican Clay, Sphagnum Peat moss, Eco-Complete Misc- Pressurized CO2, EI Dose KNO3, KH2PO4, CSM-B Plants -Limnophila Aromatica, Stargrass, Dwarf Hair Grass, Christmas Moss, Baby Tears (HM), Dwarf Baby Tears(HC), Rotala Rotundifolia, Ludwigia Glandulosa, Riccia Fluitans

07-07-2010, 02:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dmaaaaax Dmaaaaax's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 756 Location: North Carolina Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 21 Times Said "Thanks" 35 Times Was Thanked 183 Times in 154 Posts	Re: Live plant first timer. My setup, any advice? Amazons grow way too big for a 12g tank! I can barely fit 2 (with weekly pruning) in my 75g tank. Try for smaller plants more suited to a 12-20g tank. Your lights should be fine, just shoot for 8-9hrs on a day. __________________ --->Pictures of my 75g Amazon tank<---- Last edited by Dmaaaaax : 07-08-2010 at 03:34 PM.

07-07-2010, 03:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dave B. Anderson fenix Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 61 Name: Dave Location: Palm Beach, FL My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 12 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Live plant first timer. My setup, any advice? Get some water sprite!

07-18-2010, 02:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
finatic child Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 30 Name: Donna Location: West Texas My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 3 Times Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Live plant first timer. My setup, any advice? Nurseplaty: What is the "grassy-looking" plants you have in the foreground?

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