Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm curious how everyone got into planted tanks. Was it a specific plant or fish that drew you in? For me, it was seeing a lush carpet of Dwarf Hairgrass in a friend's tank. I had no idea plants could thrive underwater like that.

I started with a basic 10-gallon tank and some Java Fern. Didn't know much about lighting or nutrients back then, so it was a struggle. Now I run a high-tech setup with CO2 and LED lights. The learning curve was steep but worth it.

Veloce wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:11 pm I started with a basic 10-gallon tank and some Java Fern. Didn't know much about lighting or nutrients back then, so it was a struggle. Now I run a high-tech setup with CO2 and LED lights. The learning curve was steep but worth it.

Same here. My first tank was a disaster, but I learned a lot from forums like this. Now I've got a 20-gallon with Anubias and Crypts thriving under moderate light.

I just wanted a tank that didn't look like a sad plastic jungle. Bought some Amazon Swords and hoped for the best. Turns out, they're basically indestructible. Now I'm the guy who can't stop adding more plants. It's a problem.

For me, it was all about the fish. I wanted to create a natural habitat for my Bettas, so I started with floating plants like Frogbit. Now I'm obsessed with stem plants and their growth patterns. It's amazing how much they change week to week.

Thanks for sharing, everyone. It's cool to see how different everyone's journey was. I'm still figuring out the balance between light and nutrients, but it's been fun so far.

The key is patience. I killed so many plants before I got it right. Now I stick to a strict dosing schedule and keep my CO2 levels steady. It's made all the difference.

What's everyone's favorite plant to recommend for beginners? I always suggest Java Fern because it's so forgiving. Even my mom can keep it alive, and she's killed every houseplant she's ever owned.

FlyNova wrote: ↑Tue May 13, 2025 1:08 am What's everyone's favorite plant to recommend for beginners? I always suggest Java Fern because it's so forgiving. Even my mom can keep it alive, and she's killed every houseplant she's ever owned.

Java Fern is solid, but I'd throw in Anubias too. It's like the cockroach of aquatic plants. Survives anything, even my terrible early attempts at tank maintenance.

I'd add Hornwort to the list. It grows like crazy and helps with water quality. Plus, it's great for fry tanks. Just be ready to trim it every week unless you want a jungle.