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I have a 5g tank that is cycling now. I'm going to get some plants for it soon. Right now I have a 10w flourescent bulb, but I'm thinking of getting a 15w so I could have medium light plants, instead of just low. The fish in the tank are two cherry barbs and a rescued black widow tetra. The temperature stays around 76-78 this time of year and the pH is around 7.2. I need some suggestions of what to buy. I would rather get plants that are somewhat slow growing but if needed I could cut them back and transfer some to my 10g. I have gravel substrate. Any advice would help me because I'm new to live plants!

*Kristin*

I started the planted tank just a little while ago, and believe me, you will be so happy for the results, it is so beautiful. I think it would be nice to get a little piece of driftwood and attactch a java fern or some java moss. Bacopa would also be very nice as a rooted plant. The best thing to do is get the highest wattage possible. Good Luck!

I really want driftwood, but I don't have the time or patience to clean it and soak it and stuff. I do want lots of plants though, I need some suggestions for a 5g since some plants probably get pretty tall.

*Kristin*

u can buy from ur lfs java fern attached to the bogwood...or u can have the anubias nana as well..this one is slow grower and not demanding on light...right now...with ur 10w light...u have 2wpg and that means..u have a medium lighting...u can have like money wort, corkscrew val and/or pygmy chain sword for midground.

and if u decided to get a 15 wts..that will 3 wpg...and basically..ur at the border of medium-bright light..and so, u have lots of plants to choose from.

You could also float some Anacharis or Wisteria. As much as I like rooted plants, I think some nice floating plants/vines really put the finishing touches on a planted aquarium.

Good luck with your new endeavor!

Dave

Anubias! There are many different varieties, ranging from small to very large, it's easy to take care of, and won't require you to do constant trimming as you would have to do with high light stem plants.

And I guess just to take a step back for a second here, make sure you know what you want out of your planted tank before buying plants. How much work do you want to do on it? Can you keep up with constant trimming and replanting, and can you stick with a fert. schedule? With high light comes higher maintenence.. you'll also need to supplement CO2 at higher light levels.

Which is why I suggest Anubias - the light you have now is more than enough, and it requires a minimal amount of ferts. Just make sure to plan well ahead before planting.

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Back in the saddle!

Well, I'll start off by offering my [link=Small Tank Plants and Aquascaping]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/General%20Freshwater/57142.html" style="COLOR: #00A0AE[/link] article. Then I'll mention that I have a five gallon planted with crypt willisii and lutea, as well as anubias nana and java fern. I have a 13 watt screw-in compact flourescent that provides plenty of light for the tank.

It's a nice tank because it requires little in the way of fertilizers or plant care. My tank current holds a yellow male betta and possibly an algae eating shrimp... it hides so much I never see it. I'm looking to add two cherry barbs.

Good luck!

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

I am willing to put in some effort into the tank. I won't have alot of time when I start school in a couple weeks though. I am looking at medium light plants. The website I'm gonna buy from is aquaticplantdepot.com. I'm also looking at medium difficulty. I don't have the money to buy a CO2 system so I want plants that only require fertilizer. The plants I am looking at are Wisteria, Cryptocoryne Wendtii, Cabomba, Dwarf Sagittaria, Anachris, and Cryptocoryne blassi. I have looked at Anubias but haven't made up my mind yet. Will these work? Please tell me if any of these would require too much care or need CO2. I want a few for the background, mid, and foreground. I'm going to plan out where I want them, when I know that these will work. The website doesn't say anything about which ones need what...just the basics. Also I don't know which ones float and which don't. Since the space is rather small, I'd rather have plants that don't float. I feel like I'm asking dumb questions, but I want to know everything about them instead of just diving in.:%)

*Kristin*

I'd be worried about the Cambomba, it's very light hungry and pretty big for a 5g. Anacharis would be a complete pain in the rear to deal with in a 5 gal, it would literally get too tall every few days.

The smaller Rotalas or Bacopas would be easier to deal with size wise.

If you can get hold of some Lobelia it's also quite small.

Ludwigia repens has relatively small leaves, easy to care for and control.

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