*** Quoting TERRY QUINN from a message to CAROL SHENKENBERGER ***
TQ> Carol - there are a LOT of things which you need to do to have a succe
TQ> plant tank.  First of all,   you didn't say anything at all about ligh
TQ> most aquatic plants need a LOT more light than you can get in a single
TQ> hood.  This light should have a spectrum approximating that of sunligh
TQ> use bulbs like the Sylvania Design 50.  I would start with a MINIMUM o
Sunlight do?  I have only 1 outlet in that room.  (Yes, as soon as i can 
afford it, I am having more work done on the house to add that, but I havent 
got the funds just now.  To provide the lamp, I have to kill the heater and 
then relocate the guppy someplace).
TQ> Second,  the substrate (gravel).  Most commercial aquarium gravels are
TQ> too coarse to work in a planted tank.  You need to use either very fin
TQ> gravel or coarse sand.   Sandblasting sand (sometimes sold as Tex Blas
AHA!  I've been using regular gravel from the store.
TQ> works very well.   Seachem makes an even better (clay) based gravel ca
TQ> "Flourite" if you can find it.  If you really want terrific plant grow
TQ> put an inch of cheap "Kitty litter" (the kind with no perfumes, clumpi
TQ> agents, etc.) on the bottom of your tank (dry) and put about 2 inches
TQ> sandblasting sand over it.
Kitty Litter?  I'm in HEAVEN!  Yeah God!  I have 4 cats here, so that is 
extremely easy to do!  I even buy the plain clay type all the time so I have 
to only wander to the garage to get some. (I presume unused kitty litter is 
best, grin, but can come up with either one post haste!)
TQ> Third,  I would put some Malaysian Livebearing snails in your tank sin
TQ> you put down a bottom like I described above,  you will not be able to
TQ> the bottom.  This species of snail won't hurt live plants but will kee
TQ> sand clean without you having to siphon clean it.  
Cool idea!  I had no idea about that.
TQ> Fourth,  I would put some additional fish (like Barbs) and Otocinclus
TQ> catfish in the tank to provide additional fertilizer.   You will NOT n
TQ> add any other fertilizer (and in fact should not).
Heck, if 'fish leaving fertilizer' is all they need, I can get that out of 
the fish tank.  Goldfish produce *lots* of that.
Sorry if my 'plant tank' wasnt explicit enough.  I have a fish tank, 
goldfish.  I also have a 'plants' tank, to grow plants to refurbish the 
goldfish tank.  Its the plant tank I am not having luck with.  I am new at 
that and will take your advice.  I presume the 'Tetra Initial Sticks' wont be 
harmful to use in combination with a little kitty litter 'soil bed'.
                                       xxcarol
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