Carol Shenkenberger,Fidonet writes:
 >What I have is a 20 gall tank, with a little gravel and a filter 
 >(small).  2 snails, 1 stray guppy, and plants that arent growing at 
 >all
Hi Carol,
Plants can be a real challenge to get going but they sure make the tank look 
good.  The plants will need a good bed to grow in.  You can use the small 
potting cups for aquarium use or fine gravel.  I use large sand blasting sand 
that the local pet store sells for plant gravel.  Be careful you don't use 
something so small it falls through the under-gravel filter.  Rather than put 
the fine gravel everywhere I mound it up in the areas I want to plant.  Then 
get a hardy variety of plant at the store or local pond.  I fertilize mine 
with "Flourish" by Seachem.  Be very careful with the fertilizer, to much and 
you can grow a good crop of blue-green algae! (Please don't ask how I know 
;-)  It is good idea to rinse off the plants before you plant them in your 
tank to avoid bringing in all sorts of snails and other 'tings into your 
nk.
You are going to need good lighting.  I would think that a 20 gallon tank 
will require a two bulb 18" florescent light on the top for the plants to 
grow well.  Use good quality bulbs made for aquarium or plants not the 
under-counter bulbs for the kitchen. Put a timer on the lights and start with 
about 12 hours on per day.  Don't be afraid to start with one good bulb just 
put the plants right under the light.  Lastly you need to be sure you give 
the plants a little CO2 to live on.  Don't get too carried away with a wall 
of air bubbles in the tank of the plants will have a hard time.  And, don't 
starve the fish for air.
It is a balancing act between what the fish and plants need to survive.  Very 
much worth the learning curve but plan on killing some plants figuring out 
the best combination.
--- Aeolus v1.2.2b3 (#96101098)
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