*** Quoting Jim Edmondson from a message to Carol Shenkenberger ***
JE> Plants can be a real challenge to get going but they sure make the tan
JE> look good.  The plants will need a good bed to grow in.  You can use t
True!  I've about given up on getting a good set in the tank with the actual 
fish, which is why I am trying a 'plant tank'.  Just plants, a stray baby 
snail or so, and any stray fish I have no home for yet.  (Got left with a 
guppy a bit ago.  Was teaching some neighborhood kids how to have a fish tank 
and when they moved, they forgot the one in my 'sick tank').
Ok, I got the idea.  I need fine gravel (tried that, getting no place) of 
simple sand.  No bottom filter in this tank, so I could do that easily.
JE> pond.  I fertilize mine with "Flourish" by Seachem.  Be very careful w
JE> the fertilizer, to much and you can grow a good crop of blue-green alg
JE> (Please don't ask how I know ;-)  It is good idea to rinse off the pla
JE> before you plant them in your tank to avoid bringing in all sorts of s
JE> and other 'tings into your tank.
Hehehe Flourish.  Second brand.  This is good.  My store is bound to have one 
of them if what I just got doesnt work.  (Went shopping on way home and hit 
the aquarium store).  I just got 'Tetra Initial Sticks' and it looks easy to 
do.  Got a few more plants, and I think I saw another baby snail poking about 
amnong one of them.
JE> You are going to need good lighting.  I would think that a 20 gallon t
JE> will require a two bulb 18" florescent light on the top for the plants
JE> to grow well.  Use good quality bulbs made for aquarium or plants not
JE> the under-counter bulbs for the kitchen. Put a timer on the lights and
Good advice!
Wondering though if I need that?  I have the tank now located in the back 
room.  This is an add-on to the house with 3 of the walls nothing but window. 
 Tank is infront of the one wall that gets morning sun.  'Sunny Window' in 
the extreme sense.  Due to winter time and the guppy, I have a tiny heater in 
there too because the room chills quite a bit.  In summer, I suspect I would 
have to shade the tank or the water would be too hot for happy guppyhood .
                                       xxcarol
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