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im going to set up a planted tank and i dont have a clue what to do so info whould help. i was thinking about African Anubias and sword plants.

stripedcichlid

Before any information can be given more details are required [please.
Tank size, what you intend to add to the tank, lighting, and filtration. With all this added infomation you can be given some good advice. I also suggest you do some research on plants and their requirements.

Keith

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75 gal and it will have a pleco, few rams and a keyhole cichlid. i just want to know the basics of keeping plants

So you want a basic simple planted tank? Low maintenance, no co2? That sort of thing?
The first thing that determines what plants you can keep is light. To find the amount of light divide the total watts on the tank by the gallons of water. Generally you want at least 1wpg to grow much of anything and above 2wpg most people add co2 to help the plants grow, keep the tank balanced, and not get overrun by algae. It has been done to keep a high light fully planted tank without co2. 3-4wpg is the higher light range and you can grow pretty much anything at that level.
The second thing to look at is substrate. Plants don't really like sand. It compacts around their roots and doesn't have many nutrients. Regular gravel works but isn't as rich as plant specific substrates such as fourite and eco complete. Plants such as anubias and java fern are grown on driftwood or rocks so are great for tanks with poor plant substrate.

Arizona gardens has a list of what they consider low light easy to keep plants [link=http://azgardens.com/habitats_easy.php]http://azgardens.com/habitats_easy.php" style="COLOR: #00C0C0[/link]and you can also check [link=http://www.tropica.com/default.asp]http://www.tropica.com/default.asp" style="COLOR: #00C0C0[/link] for requirements of various plants. Use their advanced search to match your tank's light levels and other parameters. There's another site but I can't find it in my 3 dozen links.
When you get plants you can look up any growing problems on this site: [link=http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_nutrient.htm]http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_nutrient.htm" style="COLOR: #00C0C0[/link] It helped me figure out my water is low in potassium.
If you can get an idea what plants you like and how heavily planted you want it along with how much light you want on the tank then everyone can give more specific suggestions of what plants to keep.

Hi,
Along with everything else that was suggested, have you
read the post at the very top of the "Planted Aquarium"
Forum, the one with the thumb tack stuck in it?

That covers much of your first questions.

Frank


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