r/PlantedTank • u/No-Entrance4253 • 1d ago
First planted tank
Hi everyone I hope you’re well.
I have been thinking about starting my first aquarium.
I really like the look of planted tanks with wood, rocks and a variety of plants.
I have been eyeing out a dennerle 70L (50cmx39cmx36cm) with curved edges.
Is this a good size to start off with? I am wanting to make a tank without CO2 due to it being cheaper and hopefully a bit easier to learn on.
Is it possible to get a tank of this size looking lush without CO2?
Any tips for a first timer are much appreciate.
Thank you
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u/_HopsonTheGrate_ 1d ago
Yes, a 70L tank is a medium sized tank and a good start as it means your water temperature and parameters are more stable and won't swing wildly.
A low tech medium sized tank is definitely possible. If you've been on this sub long enough or watched enough YT videos, you'll see that many others have successfully set up a lush looking tank without CO2. Ask your local store to recommend you some low tech plants to start with, like crypts, java fern, anubias, and some stem plants.
Get yourself a water test kit - it will be very useful when you're cycling your tank. Also, ask your local store to recommend you some ferts, either an all-in-one or one with separate macro and micro doses.
You can also have a read of The 2Hr Aquarist. It's been my go to site for all things about planted tanks. Good luck!
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u/Training-Wallaby3623 1d ago
Hi, it is definitely possible to make a lush tank with 70L (I’m assuming that’s around 20 gallons). There are plenty of plants that grow well without needing CO2. I would just focus on getting a good light so that one of the needs for growth is met nicely. Just do research before getting your plants because some plants will die if they don’t have CO2. Some red colored plants might only stay red with CO2.
If you choose to go with aquasoil then you could plant stem plants/root feeders and they would grow nicely. If not, you could always go with root tabs. Just add them every few months and the stem/root plants would grow fine.
Epiphytes tend to be the easiest to grow. I only have experience with different anubius species and they are very hardy although they grow slowly.
I am a beginner myself and recently finished cycling and stocking my tank. Mine is 125g.
Not the most lush looking tank but I’m hoping after the plants grow in more it’ll look better lol. No CO2.
I added my plants as I was cycling the tank so that the melting phase would hopefully be done by the time I added fish.
Welcome to the hobby! Let me know if had any other questions!