Thank you! I do plan on trying to have a lush planted tank. I have a little 5.5 gallon going that I just planted up. I used flourite subtrate but at $27 a bag I can't imagine how much it would cost to do the 40 gallon. What kind of filter would you recommend? I'm thinking I want to go the canister route but that is new to me as well. (I only know pond filters) Thanks again!:grinning:
There are lots of options for your 40 gallon. I think your best bang for buck is the API Filstar XP3. Now, I know there will be some other members who would chime in about the Eheim, Fluval, Marineland, etc equivalents. They'll all work just as well and may come with some added benefits such as: they use a bit less power or may give better filtration for their size or may come with more features. However, I've never seen an XP filter leak or breakdown - they are really workhorses. I recommended this filter for my dad (he uses an XP4 in his 120 gallon) and he loves its consistency.
I still think you don't really need to use fancy substrate if you are keeping java ferns and anubias. They're such slow growers they'll just take what nutrients they can from fish poop. I haven't actually used Flourite (only ECO complete and ADA Amazonia), but I've heard this substrate is great because its priced decently and (someone correct me if I'm wrong) not actually nutrient rich, but rather are designed to absorb nutrients from the water column and slowly release them for rooted plants. I believe fluorite won't actually cause an ammonia spike.
I'll take a shot of my dad's 120 gal tonight. He dumped only 1 bag of fluval substrate and a bunch of gravel into his tank and it is growing java ferns like a boss.
Also, feel free to start a journal on your progress. It's a blast when you look back. Here's mine:
http://www.bcaquaria.com/forum/tank-journals-16/start-recks-journey-into-planted-tanks-aug-2012-aug-2014-a-30994/
You'll see I was really enamored with planted tanks, but I really struggled at first with keeping plants alive...