Benefits of Keeping Plants

[akhtar]

What r the benifits of keepin plants ?

 

[Lateral Line]

Plants use excess nitrates and phosphates from your fishes waste. They are also interesting in their own right, anyone can keep a guppy, how many can keep Aponogeton madagascariensis?

 

[Samage]

I think I need more plants is it possible to overplant a tank?

I think I overstocked on fish, so I think I need more plants to clean the water...


Also, what's that fish in Akhtar's avatar? It's identical to my 'unknown' fish!

 

[crimsontsavo]

Hmm, I think its a white cloud minnow.

 

[Lateral Line]

Yes, Tanichthys albonubes, White Cloud Mountain Minnow.

I suppose it is possible to put so much plant in there is no swimming space left, but I think that would be kind of obvious! Another thought is shade, too many big plants shade out the smaller plants at the front, again though, it is quite easy to spot that.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I would not advise adding plants to clean up the tank. You need a lot of plants if your tank is chock full of nitrates. If you add lots of plants and your fish like to have lots of place for swimming, then they'll gte really stressed out.

Don't use plants to replace water changes. It's just not a smart move, IMO.

I've read that plants use nitrates, give of O2 (though not enough to be significant, the water agitation is the greatest source of gas diffusion), make fish feel at home, give shade, make good places for adhesive eggs, good places for fish to scrape algae off of, and the list goes on.

 

[akhtar]

cool thanks

Also, plants make the tank look more natural and cool

 

[smileandnod]

Plants will also consume Ammonia, and in some cases nitrItes as well, meaning there is not so much for the bacteria to consume, and turn into nitrAte.

However, you need correct lighting, and fertilisation for this to be effective.

Any amount of plants will help in some small way, though I would try to address any water quality issues before venturing into plants.

Ian.