Plant Choices

What kind of plants are good for a beginner? This depends entirely on the light available. If you have a typical hood on a typical aquarium, the lighting is likely going to be considered low, and that's fine to start with. More light almost always brings unwanted algae, and algae problems can discourage a fishkeeper enough to tear down the tank and post the thing on Craig's List.

If you start out with low light, you have options. The tried and true species are Java fern and moss (Microsorum pteropus and Vesicularia dubyana, respectively), Anubias, Cryptocorine, and Aponogeton bulbs. The javas and Anubias species do not use roots in substrate, but rather are tied to structures or jammed into crevices, where they will attach themselves. That makes them great for camouflaging filter intake tubes and other equipment. You can also try stem plants like Hygrophila species but they often get a leggy appearance without enough light. Floating hornwort is a fabulous nutrient hog, but can also have slightly higher lighting requirements, and when it does not have enough, its tiny leaves make a real mess in the tank. The last two plant types have been outlawed in many areas because they have invaded local waters and have choked out native plant species. See what is available in your area, or what you can get from other hobbyists. Plant a lot of plants and see what works in your tank.

Check out sites like Plantgeek.net are a great source for information about plants. You can select the light level you are dealing with and get some suggestions. However, I'd strongly recommend the plants listed above, since most shops carry them and they are not difficult.