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Hello!
I am going to order plants for my 55 gallon on Monday, and hope that you might be able to help me with my selections.
My set-up:
Coralife Aqualight- 130 watts total. Substrate is 4 " of layered Eco-Complete and sand blast media. No CO2. I am running an air pump. I had some plants in my 20 gallon (since January), so my experience is fairly new. I am aiming for an aquarium that is not difficult to manage, not heavily planted, and that is composed of plants that compliment one another. Please share any opinions and suggestions regarding the plants listed.
I have looked at:
E. Tenellus
Anubias Nana
Crypt Wendtii Bronze
Java Fern
Crypt Lutea
Anacharis
Crypt Spiralis or Retrospiralis
Asian Ambulia
Bacopa Caroliniana
Bolbitus (African Fern)
Aquariumplants.com offers what they call a "Giant Crypt Wendtii Red", which I was thinking about using as a focal point.
Thanks everyone!
Kari

Everything sounds pretty good except the Echinodorus tenellus. These do well in higher light. If you still want that grassy look, try sagitaria subulata.
You say that you are fairly new to plants so i am going to give you some information about a couple of plants you may or may not know-
1-Anubias nana,java fern and bolbitus. These all should be tied to a piece of rock or wood as they wont grow in the gravel. Anubias nana can though as long as its rhizome(horizontal root with the leaves and roots coming out of it) is not burried in the gravel.
2-The cryptocorynes. These all prefer to be in one spot for extended periods of time. Moving them too often may result in cryptocoryne rot in which all of the leaves fall off. Dont panick, it is not dead. It will rejenerate. This may also happen when you first buy them.

I grew tenellus in 2wpg. It's one of the lower light foreground plants. I think it would do fine for you, especially since you have compact flourescents. These are a bit brighter than Normal Output lights. Think about a planting substrate such as flourite or eco complete. It's a bit better for plants than just plain gravel, though people have success with both.

Edit: Oh and don't run an air pump in a planted aquaria. It will drive off CO2, which is important for plant growth. Don't worry about fish health if you take it out. Most of the time they are unnecessary as long as you have sufficient filtration.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Substrate is 4 " of layered Eco-Complete and sand blast media

Matty, she has Eco.

Here is a picture of my tennellus in my 55g with the same light (sorry, its a little fuzzy):


Attached Image:


*Kristin*

Matty, she has Eco.

Wow...totally missed that one. Sorry!

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Thanks for the information; and thanks, Kristin, for the photo of your E. Tenellus. I have Dwarf Sag in my 20 gallon, but like the thickness of the E. Tenellus so much better. I will definitely be using that plant.
I wasn't aware that the Bolbitus is better when attached to a rock or wood. I had already planned on using Java Fern for that, so no Bolbitus for me.
I'll be sure not to do any rearranging of the Crypts
Thanks, Matty, for the tip on the air pump. The guy at the LFS told me to buy one specifically for the plants. Weird. Too bad I can't return it now.....
Are there any plants I didn't list that you think might work for me?
Any suggestions on quantity?
Any tips for when I begin planting (placement, space, etc.)?

Hi All-
I have added to my post in "Getting Started" because I am having a problem with brown junk in this 55 gallon that is cycling, I think. It's empty, except for 5 Dwarf Onion plants, and a couple of resin decorations. The aquarium just explodes with this filth when carbon filters are added to the equation. If you could check out that topic (Cycling 55 gallon) I would appreciate it so much. I really need some help.....

Kari