Planting out my 200ltr, what do I need?

[Endler32]

I have ordered plants ( one of those mixed bundles, apparently enough for a 30" tank ) and have ordered some coconut caves for my plecs in hope to grow moss on them.

I have Sand in my tank, have just added some more sand to make it deep enough for the plants to root into.

My tank gets a lot of light so plants should grow quite quickly? Do I need plant food/fertiliser or will they grow without?

Also, how fast does moss grow? What's the best moss to buy? In my local fish shop it seems to come in a tiny tiny pot which seems to cost a fortune.

Fertiliser will defo help. You can get root tabs to pokein around the plants if your substrate is already down. A regular liquid feed like flourish excel will help as well.

Fish shops well over charge for moss. If you look on ebay you can get it loads cheaper or if you join a local aquatic group on FB you might evenbe able to get some free.

Thanks Eau, the plants are coming with plant food tablets ( I think ) and lead weights. I know some of the plants might not be suitable for sand? I'm very excited, can't wait for the plants to come and get started, my bn plecs have other ideas, just caught the make trapping the female so seems I may have eggs in the tank, hopefully I can start planting without disturbing them too much.

I am on a 'moss and plant group' on fb so will keep an eye out for moss bargains.

Are my Corys and plecs likely to dig the plants up?

Corys should be fine, plecs might disturb them a bit. What have you ordered that won't be suitable for sand? Anything with a rhizome needs to be planted right at the top of the substrate, or even better on a rock or piece of wood. If the rhizome is buried then it will rot.

Have bought these www.plantsalive.co.uk/aquarium-plants/all-tropical-collections/30-collection/prod_45.html#.VOjXKobfWrU

I have some fine black gravel that I could use around the plants, might stop the plecs digging as much?