Woot new tank....FW!

I got a new TANK!!! Its a freshwater setup for now. I was at my friends house helping him move out and he asked me if I wanted his 55(stand, tank, hood, lights, heater, ext. But the catch is that it is my girlfriends. Its one of those its "hers" but I buy everything and do all the work. So its going to be an anglefish setup. I want to go with a planted tank also. I have 120watts(6500k bulbs) ready to go on. So far its got a UG/ Marineland 350 on the tank. The ug is coming off soon when I replace the gravel with sand. I am also going to be adding a wet dry. But lol fresh water planted tanks are totaly new to me. Anyone have any tips?

 

There are some good books on freshwater plants and the best way to go about it. Some of the harder stuff needs co2 injected into them as well if you want to get all crazy. A big thing is not to stir up the gravel because that is where the plants get their nutrients from.
I did pretty well on my old 46gal but kept getting ich and gave up to go to salt which was much easier

 

I too had a nice 46G planted tank. I was using yeast brewed CO2 to suppliment the fish produced CO2. I will say that in all it's more af a pain than saltwater and much less interesting to look at. If you don't want to 187 the fish, then look for a local planted tank group in your area. This is the best way to get started with plants. Here are some links that might also help:
DIY CO2 System for Planted Aquarium
http://www.barrreport.com/
sfbaaps :: Index
Freshwater Aquatic Plant Care

 

Thats what I have been hearing. I am not going to go totaly all out on it. Then probly sometime this summer I should have enough rock and will have my diy skimmer(for my 75) done, So I can set it up for salt.

 

Yeah, I have a tip...trash the freshwater and do another saltwater tank!!!!!!!hahhaha
Even if you went with Africans!!!
I know, it is your girlfriends! As far as plants are concerned, plants that have large, broad leaves are easier to take care of such as Banana plants whereas plants such as Cabomba are more difficult, I believe!
Been awhile since I have had a fresh water planted tank!

 

Right now its a toss up weither to set up the 55 or my 40 breeder for salt in a couple months.

 

I had a plant tank for a bit, it's hard to find the right current to keep the gas exchange proper but still keep the plants "rooted" where you put them. After a lot of hard work I realized that the same equipment is needed for a salt setup so I ditched the plant tank.