30 gallon first time planted tank

[t2dxk0]

I'm almost ready to set up my 30 gallon, but I think I need just a little more inspiration, so that's why I'm here.

Tank is a 30 gallon with about 3 inches of flourite, a dual T5 with about 1.5 watts per gallon.

No CO2 but I have Excel and some liquid ferts.

I want to keep this really simple since I've never done this before. What kind of plants should I get and where should I put them in the tank?

Thanks a lot!

[Shiggy]

with 1.5 wpg I think it would be best if u got some Anubis plants or some moss because 1.5 wpg is pretty low light.
also u could attach some of these moss and Anubis to drift wood. which in preference looks pretty good.

[shloken38]

Maybe my tank will inspire? Not being cocky, just want to show that low tech, easy maintenance is possible for a nice looking tank.



All of my plants are low light, no co2 and only use osmocote+ tabs once in awhile. My plants include anubias, java ferns, several types of mosses, hygro kompacta, hornwort, anacharis, pennywort, crypts and an amazon sword. I've also learned that driftwood really makes the tank. That piece on the right made a HUGE difference when I put it in.

[t2dxk0]

Originally Posted by Shiggy

with 1.5 wpg I think it would be best if u got some Anubis plants or some moss because 1.5 wpg is pretty low light.
also u could attach some of these moss and Anubis to drift wood. which in preference looks pretty good.

Thanks,
I've never set up a planted tank before so I think I'd rather not attach anything to anything, sounds like one more thing I'd rather avoid for now.

I think I would prefer to plant in the substrate. Or maybe if they had something already attached to a piece of driftwood at the store I could try that.

[t2dxk0]

Originally Posted by shloken38

Maybe my tank will inspire? Not being cocky, just want to show that low tech, easy maintenance is possible for a nice looking tank.

Attachment 64562

All of my plants are low light, no co2 and only use osmocote+ tabs once in awhile. My plants include anubias, java ferns, several types of mosses, hygro kompacta, hornwort, anacharis, pennywort, crypts and an amazon sword. I've also learned that driftwood really makes the tank. That piece on the right made a HUGE difference when I put it in.

That's a nice looking tank you got there! How did you get it started?

[shloken38]

Attaching plants to driftwood is super easy! Just tie it on with some black sewing thread. That's what I did in my tank, and I am far from a pro. Check out that pic I attached above.....the wood looks awesome. And I forgot to mention.....the light on my tank is the light it came with. It's a single T8, which is 17 watts I believe (29 gallon). My plants are growing in nicely.

[mitchfish9]

These are my top five beginner plants:

Anubias nana
Java fern(trident is nice)
Crypt wendtii
Dwarf sag
Rotala rotundafolia

Beyond these you can check out slightly harder plants in my tank journal. No co2 or excel, but a dirt substrate however.

[t2dxk0]

Originally Posted by mitchfish9

These are my top five beginner plants:

Anubias nana
Java fern(trident is nice)
Crypt wendtii
Dwarf sag
Rotala rotundafolia

Beyond these you can check out slightly harder plants in my tank journal. No co2 or excel, but a dirt substrate however.

Your tank is looking good with that dirt substrate, a lot of growth

[goobypls]

DefiniteAquascapeTV on Youtube provides some great aquascaping/ aquarium ideas and inspiration. They have a specific post featuring "beginner" planted aquascapes. I am in the process of setting up my first planted aquarium and found some great stuff here.

[amajoh]

Originally Posted by mitchfish9

These are my top five beginner plants:

Anubias nana
Java fern(trident is nice)
Crypt wendtii
Dwarf sag
Rotala rotundafolia

Beyond these you can check out slightly harder plants in my tank journal. No co2 or excel, but a dirt substrate however.

Thanks for this list. I'm in the process of figuring out what I want to put in my first NPT and this is really helpful.

[Woody0229]

[mitchfish9]

Originally Posted by amajoh

Thanks for this list. I'm in the process of figuring out what I want to put in my first NPT and this is really helpful.

Your welcome! Those plants will help you have a great start!