Advantages of a planted tank

[kathleen]

Hello all
I am just getting started here and would love to have a planted tank. I am considering a 55g at the moment. Would it be wise to start out with the plants or add them at a later date? Any disadvantages to plants (other than an added expense) that I should consider?
Thanks

 

[annka5]

I'd add the plants right at the start, as that way they get extablished before you add the fish, and also they help limit algae which can be a problem at the beginning otherwise.
A disdvantage can be that they make looking after the tank more complex -particualrly if you add co2, which complicates your water chemistry.
I'd suggest you start off with a selection of easier-to-keep plants -you can always add more challenging ones later, and upgrade your lights /add co2 /etc at that point if you wanted to.

 

[funkybodal]

Yeah as annka said, defo. start your tank with plants. My advice is to go for a nutrient rich planting substrate - ordinary gravel won't do - I use sand mixed with laterite and this works well (sand is a great rooting medium but has no nutrients).

Also start off with some fast growing plants (vallis etc) and if you can get hold of some Amazon Frogbit then this would be brilliant for the surface.

 

[kathleen]

Thanks for the replies and helpful advice.
I like that it will help with algae in the beginning stages as I'm sure I'll need all the help I can get.
I guess I should start searching for some low maintenance plants. So with a 50g + tank these easy plants won't require better lights and CO2?
I do have a green thumb but not sure if it will translate over to the aquatic world. Lets hope so.
Thanks again!