Planting a Tank

[darkangel216]

So I've been pondering putting some live plants in one of my 2g tanks. I was wondering what types of plants would be good, and what would I need to do to get them to flourish. Last time I tried live plants, they wound up shriveling up and dying not long after I got them, which is why I've been hesitant to try again. Any ideas?

[Oldfishlady]

A good starting plant especially for small tank often with low light are-java ferns, java moss, anubias, naja grass and crypts.

What kind of lights do you have and how old are the bulbs?

[darkangel216]

The light I have in the tank is a white bulb that I've had for less than a year (it's not a regular bulb, it's like those squiggly ones except straight if that makes any sense). Though the tank is in an area where I can open the blinds so it can get sunlight.

[Capricorn]

A fluorescent bulb?

I agree with OFL, those are all great plants.. anacharis is great as well, though it grows like a weed.

[darkangel216]

Yeah it's a fluorescent.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2753932

It's similar to the one in the link above, but without the 50/50 part.

[darkangel216]

I forgot to ask, do I need to use fertilizers for the live plants or no?

[celine18]

i'm also gonna add wysteria to the list, it's an amazingly tough little plant. and you've gotta get marimo balls!!! that's a must!! haha

those plants above mentioned don't require fertz, but it couldn't hurt to add them. you need to be sure the bulb is 6500k also. that'll give them the proper light they need. you have to post pics once you get the tank all planted!!! :D

[Oldfishlady]

Depending on plant species and number of plants.....usually in small tanks the fish waste is often all the food/ferts the plants needs...too much light over 6700k and high nutrient load in small tank can sometimes cause algae problems-I would not worry about plant food/ferts at this point....

[darkangel216]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll post pics once everything's set up! :)

[darkangel216]

I went to my LFS and got a java fern and anubias. Their plants look like a much better quality than petsmart's plants. Below are pictures of the tank with the plants, and the little guy I found at the store as well. :)