So, I need some advice choosing plants for a 20-long tank I'm setting up. The set-up is as follows:
Light: Coralife CFL 65w (3.25 wpg). 10 hours per day to start.
Substrate: 40 lbs. Eco-Complete
Filter: Aquaclear 50 HOB
Temp: 76-78
Fertilizers: Flourish, Flourish Excel, Flourish Trace. All per Seachem recommended doses.
CO2: Nothing but Excel to start, though I'm investigating pressurized and DIY CO2.
None of this has been set up, yet. I'm getting things started this weekend.
I'm moderately experienced with plants, but I haven't done anything "fancy" like CO2 infusion, dry ferts, or "difficult to keep plants".
What I need help with is getting an idea of what plants are appropriate for this tank. (FWIW, I haven't chosen fish species yet, though I'm leaning South American.) My local LFSes haven't shown me good specimens, so I'm thinking of ordering online. So far, I'm interested in Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis parvula), Micro Sword (Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae), or Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides) for the left foreground, Moss Balls for the right foreground, Indian Red Sword for a centerpiece, and.... ??? (Cue Underpants Gnomes)
Most background plants I've researched seem to grow way too tall for a 20-long. I was thinking of crypts for a midground/background placement (Is the light too strong?), and I'd likeone red(ish) plant, but, beyond that, I'm stumped.
So, I'd appreciate advice. What plants would you recommend? And, so I can learn, why would you recommend them?
Thanks in advance.
Light: Coralife CFL 65w (3.25 wpg). 10 hours per day to start.
Substrate: 40 lbs. Eco-Complete
Filter: Aquaclear 50 HOB
Temp: 76-78
Fertilizers: Flourish, Flourish Excel, Flourish Trace. All per Seachem recommended doses.
CO2: Nothing but Excel to start, though I'm investigating pressurized and DIY CO2.
None of this has been set up, yet. I'm getting things started this weekend.
I'm moderately experienced with plants, but I haven't done anything "fancy" like CO2 infusion, dry ferts, or "difficult to keep plants".
What I need help with is getting an idea of what plants are appropriate for this tank. (FWIW, I haven't chosen fish species yet, though I'm leaning South American.) My local LFSes haven't shown me good specimens, so I'm thinking of ordering online. So far, I'm interested in Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis parvula), Micro Sword (Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae), or Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides) for the left foreground, Moss Balls for the right foreground, Indian Red Sword for a centerpiece, and.... ??? (Cue Underpants Gnomes)
Most background plants I've researched seem to grow way too tall for a 20-long. I was thinking of crypts for a midground/background placement (Is the light too strong?), and I'd likeone red(ish) plant, but, beyond that, I'm stumped.
So, I'd appreciate advice. What plants would you recommend? And, so I can learn, why would you recommend them?
Thanks in advance.