im trying to set up a planted tank..

hi guys. For a while now ive been thinking on setting up a 20G planted freshwater tank. I am beginning my research as of today. I kinda want to go into an specific research so ill ask some questions here to guide me.

what kind of lights will i be needing? does the bulbs that come with the tank do?
what kind of substrate/gravel?
what options do i have concerning fish? ( a friend of mine offers me a bunch of cichlids for free.. he says maybe 40-50.. idk to much? they recently hatched a few months ago.)
filters? what kind? i cant do a sump on this one, it might have to be canister, more than likely a hang in filter.
oxygenation ( bubbles thing needed?)
any dosing for the plants? ( im guessing this is important? explain please.)


umm cant think of anything else.. if you do please tell me. thanks;D

 

bump

 

1) depends on the kinds of plants you want, for low light plants
2) I use sand, but alot of people use ada aqua soil
3)40-50 way to many for a 20gal plus some cichlids arent good with plants I would recommend a school of tetras
4) canister is good
5) yes fertilizers tons out there Ive heard pfertz is good, I personally use Flourish and flourish iron

 

you can use the standard lights, but probly want to buy new grow bulbs.
but for the price of 2 t8 plant-gro bulbs (normally $40= both at LFS) you can just get a 2 bulb t5 unit for freshwater of ebay or something for probly $75 bucks.

I always had gravel, with plants roots secured with weights. sand probly good too.
you can buy plant dosing stuff. Ive used it.
cichlids might tear up your plants. mine did.

if your going to do it, do 90% plants and 10 % "community" fish.

 

homedepot also sells "plant and aquarium" bulbs that what I use on my 10g really cheap too

 

ok.. any special sand?

 

what type of sand u use?
school of tetras sounds cool;D how many? 10? more? less?

 

I use tahitian moon sand

 

ok can u get this at home depot or petco?

 

defiantly recommend sand over gravel though I have sand in my 10gal and so wish i used it in my other fw it just makes planting so much easier