20G Tank Setup - Help :)

[pminister]

Hello All,

I just finished building my 20 Gallon stand, and I need some tips on doing a complete aquascape for this tank. I have decided to keep this tank as low-tech as possible, given the time crunch I have on a daily basis. I have been doing some research so far on plants, and general setup but I have some questions.

Right now this is what i have:
- 20 Gallon tank ( 30 L x 13 W x 12 H ) dimensions are approx.
- 20 Watt T8 Light
- HOB Filter

So far I have thought of getting the following plants, and any other suggestions will be great.

Cryptocoryne
Anubias
Java ferns
Bolbitis

^^ Would like to use a mix of variety of these plants.

Mosses < some but not many.

Hygrophila polysperma
Limnophila sessiflora.

^^ if available then I would like some easy growing stems.

As far as substrate I want something dark, but I might settle for inert or go with flourite

[Lurch1]

I would recommend soil substrate caped with sand. EI dosing.  I like the Canister filter, made a difference for me.  Are you buying new lights?

[pminister]

updated main topic any suggestions appreciated.

[Fishnut]

You may need a double light fixture.  The crypts are great and always easy to grow. 

Anubias is great too as long as you're good at keeping algae under control.  If you don't have lots of time and you think you might miss the odd water change, you might want to skip that one.  They're the first to get coated in the nastiest algae because they grow so slowly.

Java Ferns area great but they do tend to do MUCH better in a CO2 infused tank.

Have a look at the Valesneria.  The corkscrew vals don't tend to grow super long and they're a really easy plant to grow.

Mosses are easy but they don't like really warm temps.  Also, when you have a few of them in a small tank, it becomes harder to keep them separate and eventually they become this hunk of assorted mosses.  I know because this happened to me.

[exv152]

I have both hi-tech and low tech planted setups and from personal experience I can tell you should have no problems growing all of those plants except the bolbitis which needs about double that amount of light at min. Your lighting is quite low, epecially considering it's T8 which has less intensity than T5 or T5HO, so if you were to upgrade anything I would begin with that. As for the substrate it isn't really necessary to go with expensive rich stuff, anubias and ferns grow attached to wood or rock, and crypts are really the only plants that would benefit, the others (hygro & Limnophila sessiliflora) will grow in  regular substrate. I recommend onyx black from seachem, it has good calcium and magnesium levels, and the crypts love it. Post some pictures when you start setting up.

[pminister]

I have been debating on the light, as I know it is low in intensity but really not in the mood in spending. Though if need be I will pick up an extra light fixture, but keep light levels low where it won't demand to much in fertilizer or co2 supplement.

So far "Cryptocoryne" has been my top choice, or I did want "Vals" though i wasn't sure if it be hardy enough to last in my tank. B/c last time I had "Vals" in my tank it melted away, either I was re-arranging my tank to much or it was due to Excel. I don't mind keeping "Anubais" though I have only kept the "Nana" variety, hence I know what the algae levels are like which I don't mind dealing with. I want to stay away from "Moss", though I do like the look they offer but it has a tendency to be a bit of a pest.

I am aware of "Java Fern" co2 requirements, yet I find they just grow slower and narrower if little co2 is supplied. As far as "Bolbits" is considered I am on a toss in turn, but would like to grow it as I like the look of it.

I have also been considering the following:

- Crinum Thaianum
- Sagittaria Subulata
- Marsilea Hirsuta


I have posted some links for the look I want to go for, as well as the general setup. I have posted them as my favourite, to the so so setup.

(1) http://www.pbase.com/plantella/330hnlme

(2) http://www.pbase.com/plantella/750_liter_layout_by_oliver_knott

(3) http://www.pbase.com/plantella/lme2

(4) http://www.pbase.com/plantella/jbllu07

(5) http://www.pbase.com/plantella/jblka07

[exv152]

As far as low tech requirements are concerned, you could go up to approximately 1.9 watts per gallon of T5 lighting without having to supplement any co2, but you will always need to add some micro nutrients at least once a week, or twice a month. I have tons of sagittaria subulata growing in both hi and low tech and they do fine either way. The biggest bonus to low tech is the fact that algae just does not do well in these tanks but the key to that is maintaining co2 levels consistent, meaning practically no water changes and a low fish population.