Help with first tank setup and design!

[Chunk]

I am very new to planted aquariums and could use a some help.

1. I have a 20 gal tank and have no idea what plants to put in it.
2. I could use some design ideas or plant lists
3. Is their any sort of rule as to how many plants can comfortably fit in a tank?
4. Should I purchase plants from a lfs or an online dealer, if so which sites are better than others?

[Veloth]

Welcome to TPT. The first thing you need to do is decide if you want to go low, mid or high tech. The lights you choose will be the deciding factor. Get ready to do a ton of reading. My suggestion would be to read the stickys in the lighting section. When you get ready for the plants check out the swap and shop on this forum

[Katydid]

Hi Chunk, Welcome to the forum.

DO you already have fish in the 20 gallon, or is the an entirely new set up? If you have fish, occasionally fish behavior may help you select tanks.

When I first decided I wanted a planted tank, i had no idea how complex or simple it could be! Theres lighting, filtration, substrate, fertilization, algae control and more! So Lots to learn, but lots of help here too!

You will want to decide what type of lighting you want to invest in, if you want to add Co2 to the water etc.
Alot of the members here have links to their tanks, And they have some really gorgeous tanks. Those tanks will give you ideas about where to place your plants etc.
You can also look at the plant profiles at the upper right hand corner. It gives you parameters for growth including how hard or easy it is to propogate.

as far as purchasing plants, depends on what you have available locally. I have a great Aquatic lab about an hour away that I can get plants from that are super healthy and nice. But the shippers really know how to ship to you as well. And using Swap and Shop here is a great way to get super healthy plants and make new friends....(I'd use it but I have a Native Tank and usually people are growing stuff that Isnt native to my area.) I occasionally see some nice plants in Pet Co etc, but more often they are covered in slime!

I hope you'll come and post many photos of your progress.

[Chunk]

I do not have fish in it yet. Brand new seaclear 20 gallon acrylic (24x13x16) and it came with a lighting fixture (hood thing) that has room for 2 14" flourecent lights.
I looked online a bit and it was hard to find 14" bulbs.

I would like to spend anywhere from 200-400$ to complete the tank, I would like nice equipment that would keep my fish and plants healty. I have a good idea of what kind of filter, heater, gravel, and fish to buy, stuck on lights, plants, and probably alot more.

Im still in the planning process so any input would be greatfully apreaciated.

[AzFishKid]

www.fishneedit.com Has some nice t5-ho fixtures, but they're out of stock until mid may.

[Chunk]

i have the fixture its the bulbs I need to buy still.