Robert Hudson

It depends on how willing the newbie is to read, study, and take to heart. That was what made James unique. He learned quite a lot before even starting, and all along the way he had the input of people from my forum. He posted the whole tank chronology as it happened, and was very involved in the forum. The average newbie gets info overload very quickly.

I tell most newbies to start with the easiest plants, either those that are the host hardy, not needing much light and able to take abuse, such as java fern and Anubias, or those that are the most prolific growers like Hygrophila, Myriophyllum, or Rotala indica. Once a person has some experience with these plants and is willing to learn about C02 and nutrients, and how to deal with or accept algae, then they are ready to experiment with other plants.

bms

Thanks Jason, I am definitely going to get a new light tube.
~Benicio

tsunami

Benicio,

I'm afraid you will need more light to grow plants than just the single standard light bulb that comes with the aquarium. Even replacing this old one with a new bulb will not be enough.
I'd recommend obtaining at least a second bulb, so that you have two 20w tubes over your 20g. That will give you about 2 wpg.
Some plants that are excellent for these conditions include Cryptocorynes (wendtii varieties, undulata, walkeri, lucens), Java Fern, and Anubias. You may also have enough light to grow some stem plants like Bacopa monnieri (moneywort) and Bacopa caroliniana (mint bacopa). Hygrophila difformis (wisteria) should also work o.k.

Carlos

MiamiAG

Benicio,

Like Carlos, I would recommend the commonly available Cryptocorynes, anubias, and Java fern. I know that pet stores around your way would have those available. However, water sprite, vals, and other fast growing plants may also be a good choice.

If you are handy, throw away the plastic hood your 20 likely came with and make yourself a wood one. Instructions for making a simple one can be found at Aquarist Hobbyist Supply. If you have the budget, I would purchase one of their do-it-yourself Power Compact kits. Shoot for around 2-2.5 watts/gallon. If you want to go cheaper, you can remove the flourescent wiring from the plastic hood and connect it to your new wood enclosure. It is simple to add a new flourescent from Home Depot or Lowe's. Let me know if you need help.

This should get you enough light. Now focus on what to feed the plants. What are you using?

Lastly, I would suggest you buy enough plants to cover 70%-80% of the substrate.

able_ranui

I've got around 2 watts/gallon on my 33 and I've got vals, wisteria, anubias, java fern, Crypt wendtii, Aponogeton crispus(it won't stop flowering, I must be doing something right ) and Rotala indica. I have 85-90% flourite substrate as well. I'm using Seachem Flourish, Flourish Trace and Flourish Excel. Everything seems to be going well for me.

You do have to be careful with plants that you buy, some aren't aquatic plants. Most of these plants are bog plants that can live underwater for a short time, but die after that. They call them aquatic I guess because they die slowly(up to 12 months they can last).
HTH

Pigheaddd

about Tonina sp. its not that difficult. they are still very popular in Asia now. KH is most important. it should be at 2 or less. if u have RO unit, they will be fine. light is moderate - high. pH is 6.8 or less. the only problem is they are little bit hard to get in the U.S.

anyone has red Tonina? i heard my friend said they are pretty easy to grow!

bms

Art,

I am not adding any fertilizer to my tank, what do you recommend? I am going to buy some water sprite to begin with and may add java fern I can't believe they are charging around 4 bucks for a smal jave fern at my LFS, compared to around 1 for water sprite.

thanks!
~Benicio