First-timer here! Hoping to make a little Forgotten World/Bonsai garden

[whitefang]

Hello everyone, after thinking for a reallyyyy long time, have decided to get down to dabbling in planted tanks. Reason I didn't do it sooner was because I was always intimidated by its complexity. After some searching, I got to know that there low-light, low-tech tanks so I took a deep breath and decided to attempt!

What I have in mind is really low-tech, like CO2-less, no big canister filters etc.. I would really like something that I can leave for a week and not worry will die on me, something really low maintenance as well.

I am really interested in planted tanks with rocks resembling a forgotten world, or one with a bonsai so it feels like a small garden with a big tree.

Could you advise me if my goals are in line with my interests?

If yes, that would be great! I have understood the "Things needed to start a planted tank" to be the following:
1) Tank: 2 feet tank ok?
2) Substrate: Not sure which are suitable for small carpet-like plants to grow on the substrate and rocks, not the big tall wavy types.
3) Filter: Would a hanging filter do?
4) Lights: Are LEDs ok?
5) Chiller: I don't need this.. right?

Thanks for looking at my post. Am gonna start shopping soon (already started looking but not sure what fits my needs for my visions of Forgotten World/Bonsai tree garden) so it would be great to get a clearer idea of what I need so I wont get the wrong thing, resulting in deaths (failure at first try is very discouraging lah).

Have a good day, and thanks all!

[Urban Aquaria]

2ft tank = Good tank size to start with.

Substrate = ADA Amazonia aquasoil, ideal for carpet plants.

Hang-on filter = Suitable, look for a larger hang-on filter for 2ft tank and position it to achieve good circulation (and not mess the soil and make craters in your substrate).

LED light = Suitable, for low tech setups most moderate powered LED lights around 15-20W will be sufficient. Make sure you get those designed for planted tanks (check other tank setup journals to see what others have used successfully).

Chiller = Not necessary for planted tanks, but if you have the extra budget and space, good to have.

[whitefang]

2ft tank = Good tank size to start with.

Substrate = ADA Amazonia aquasoil, ideal for carpet plants.

Hang-on filter = Suitable, look for a larger hang-on filter for 2ft tank and position it to achieve good circulation (and not mess the soil and make craters in your substrate).

LED light = Suitable, for low tech setups most moderate powered LED lights around 15-20W will be sufficient. Make sure you get those designed for planted tanks (check other tank setup journals to see what others have used successfully).

Chiller = Not necessary for planted tanks, but if you have the extra budget and space, good to have.

Thank u thank u thank u! That really helps to narrow down my search. Much appreciation!

[whitefang]

Oh after even more searching, I realised what I wanted to describe had a name for it -- iwagumi tanks!

[Halfbeak]

All the best in the tank set up, perhaps a fan instead of chiller could help reduce your temperature for you carpet plants to tolerate

[Mr Ironiic]

Bonsaidriftwood.com has some bonsai trees that you can put in your tank to recreate a bonsai garden

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