what do you need for plants?

[Gilraen Took]

When I do my 60 up as a community tank, I'd like to put some plants in there, but what do they need? I've already got the fluorite for the substrate, but do I really need the VHO lights and the CO2 to have it grow well? Or would a few plants be okay in low light with only the fish in there.

[Graham]

The difference CO2 injection makes is like night and day.
That said, it's not necessary for most plants to survive, but thrive is another matter.

Still, there are plenty of plants that do well without lots of lights or CO2. Really, the only reason I started using CO2 and high light is because I had the "reef leftovers" accumulated over the years to use on the plant tank. Now that's all I have.

Pretty much any of the med-bigger Echinodorus (sword plants), most Cryptocorynes, Anubias, Java fern, Java moss, Water Wisteria, Sagittaria and Vallisinaria will do fine without a "high tech" setup.

There's really nothing like the sight of a plant tank that's pearling like crazy, though. The first time most people see my tank they think it's air pumps making all the bubbles.

[DebsSisterFlo]

your plants make bubbles??? Ok, I've never seen that!
In my 38g I have an anubias nana, a cardinal plant and a java fern that doesn't look too good. Regular fluorescent light and gravel. Just thought I'd add a few plants, but I'm not getting into the planted tank craze.