20 Gallon Tank- Contemplating Beginner Live Plants

Tihsho · Post by **Tihsho** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:27 pm

Exact species not really sure about. I believe its common name is 'purple cabomba'

Boxermom · Post by **Boxermom** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:28 pm

I have Cabomba Carolina and it grows several inches per week. And its not in a high light tank.

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Sat May 20, 2006 1:58 pm

Well, thanks to Boxermom I've got an excellent resource to figure out just what species. I may shy away from Cabombas for now just in case.

As for my canister filter, I am 90% sure it is dead, and probably way too small for the 20 gal let alone the 33 gallon the lady purchased it for, but I'm going to check it out just because it seems better suited for the situation. If it doesn't work is the Aquaclear 30 sufficient filtration?

Well, I'm going to the store today to get some Fluorite & I'm going to rinse it and mix it into the substrate. I think when I do get around to buying plants I'll start out with some Java Fern and Anubias, and I'll expand my collection as I go. I'm not too sure about the java moss now, but maybe if I add some shrimp it will stay clean... Who knows.

Can Ghostshrimp live in FW? I've only been keeping mine in brackish so I have no idea.

Thanks for bearing with all of my questions

Boxermom · Post by **Boxermom** » Sat May 20, 2006 2:14 pm

Yup, ghosties are good in FW.

GekkoGeck0 · Post by **GekkoGeck0** » Sat May 20, 2006 3:25 pm

OraLacerta wrote:If it doesn't work is the Aquaclear 30 sufficient filtration?

I'm using a HOB (Aquaclear mini or whatever they call it now) filter on my 10 gallon. I'm dosing with Flourish Excel, no CO2, and my plants are doing beautifully.

A HOB should work for now. You can always get something better later.

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Sat May 20, 2006 5:30 pm

Ok, good to hear on both the HOBs and Ghosts.

I also picked up a "Lifeglow" bulb when I was at the store because it was on clearance for $7. Is this better than my original "Sunglow" bulb? I know it's not the "Floraglow" but I was hoping it may work better than my original...?

GekkoGeck0 · Post by **GekkoGeck0** » Sat May 20, 2006 6:44 pm

OraLacerta wrote:I also picked up a "Lifeglow" bulb when I was at the store because it was on clearance for $7. Is this better than my original "Sunglow" bulb? I know it's not the "Floraglow" but I was hoping it may work better than my original...?

Sounds like a decent bulb. 6700k versus the Sun-Glo's 4700k. The higher the colour temperature, the less yellow the light will appear in your tank. It brings out the colours of the plants and the fish better.

That bulb should suit you just fine.

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:44 pm

Good to hear! I'm glad I found it for so cheap

puffergeek · Post by **puffergeek** » Sun May 21, 2006 1:53 am

Sounds like you've got a great plan! My first real planted tank was a 20L with an AC200 HOB and stock hood with a 6700k lamp. The plants were mostly vals, java ferns, and crypts.

I did eventually add one of those kits with the CO2 yeast canisters and the nifty bubble ladder. It seemed to help a lot. Heck, I still use those kits in place of compressed CO2.

Planted tanks are lots of fun and my puffers seem to really enjoy them.. although I swear they can be as much work to keep as a reef when you get bright lights, lots of CO2, and the works!

Have fun! Take lots of pictures!

Liz · Post by **Liz** » Sun May 21, 2006 9:42 am

For some reason, I have never been able to keep cabomba or bacopa alive.

OraLacerta · Post by **OraLacerta** » Sun May 21, 2006 5:19 pm

I got some anubias and hygro, and they are in a bucket with water from the 33 gallon with the light over it and some ghosts (just until the tank settles a bit more). I added a tiny bit of fertilizer too. They are pearling already! I think they will be very easy to keep up!

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20 Gallon Tank- Contemplating Beginner Live Plants