Do You Need Live Plants?

[maisy12345]

Hi ,i`m looking around for a 3ft tank,but wonder if it would be alright if i planted it with artificial plants ,and not live ,as i`m just starting out ,and don`t want the added task of looking after plants ,do fish really benefit from having live plants in the tank?

 

[StandbySetting]

Keeping live plants is as difficult as you choose to make it, Live plants are so much better than artificial ones, they look so much better, with low lighting you could keep all sorts: Anubias, Cryptocorynes, Microsorum to name just a few, you wouldn't need to add fertilisers or CO2 as the fish will provide them in a low light situation.

 

[maisy12345]

Thanks Standbysetting ,but one of my main worries also are snails coming in with the plants?

 

[blue acara]

No you dont need live plants to have a healthy aquarium. Fake plants do require a certain amount of cleaning to keep them looking good which is a pain as algae gets all over them after a time. Fake plants arent cheap either. Personally I've found vallisneria a really good hardy plant suitable for low light and nutrient levels.

 

[StandbySetting]

I wouldn't let snails stop you from keeping live plants, it's inevitable that you'll get some, but their numbers wont spiral out of control providing you don't over feed.

 

[blue acara]

If you are worried about introducing snails you can bath the plants in a mild bleach solution which will kill the snails and eggs.

 

[nurglespuss]

Snails really arent an issue.

If its a tropical tank, pick up an assassin snail, that way if any snails do ever appear, these pretty beasties will munch em quick

 

[Randomitity]

I prefer live plants personally because of look and because of how my fish seem to enjoy them but that doesn't mean you need them like I can't keep live plants in my girlfriends tank because her goldfish eat or try to eat all the plants we puts in (they love their greens)and if you have enough light and lose your filter it does provide a little bit more time for your fish oxygen wise ( I lose power pretty often)

Snails shouldn't be to much of a worry as some fish love to eat them and they will help you a little with decaying plant matter

 

[twodoctors]

I am a beginner as well (5 month) but I had live plants since day 1. I have no CO2, normal light that is found on the built-in hood. Nothing fancy. My plants are doing ok. See my signature.

One advantage is that it soaks up the nitrate so you don't have to do as many water change to keep nitrate down. Plus some fishes will nibble on it for food, which I have no problem with. Also cheaper than plastic in the long run. The ones I have (apart from the anubias) are very fast growing. I never had much luck with Vallisneria so can't personally recommend it. Moss ball looks pretty cool and is not expensive at all. You can get a handful for just over £5 on ebay.

Adrian

 

[minnnt]

I have live plants and my fish are fine. The sister in law has fake plants and most of her fish are fine also. I think it is just down to personal preference. Some can look great, but they can be very pricey. I have had great experience in one of my tanks with the straight vallis, it's growing really well and is frequently sending out shoots which i can cut off and replant elsewhere in the tank. I haven't done anything special with them, just plonked them in a sand substrate and they grow like no tomorrow. Also had good success this time around with amazon swords. Hopefully going to be investing in some moss balls soon as i think they look great. Hoping to try a bit of a rescape in my AR620 soon so will be looking for a few for that.

 

[maisy12345]

Thanks for all your replies,i think i`ll start off with fake for now ,and if i change my mind as i`m having pea gravel ,not sand .I can always get live plants at a later date though.

 

[Royster]

So what would the forum recommend as a good beginner plant as I'm looking to introduce some to my tank but don't want something that's going to take over the tank ( it's only a 60l) or require high maintainence or special frets or anything....

My current stock is

12 harlequin rasboras
10 neon tetras
4 albino catfish
1 betta
3 cherry shrimp

So I need something that's going to suit everyone

 

[StandbySetting]

Good beginners plants: Anubias, Cryptocorynes, Microsorum, Vallis and various mosses.

As for them soaking up nitrates, that isn't that true, the maximum uptake values are 5PPM a day, and that is with 45PPM of CO2 and 6WPG, so obviously it's going to be much lower, nearer 1PPM in most low light set ups.

How many Watts of light are over the tank?

 

[Royster]

Mines a glo sun-glo 18"/46cms 15w and it's on 2/3hrs in morning and 5/6 hrs evening

 

[Alasse]

Depends on how many plants you have and what those plants are as to how much nitrate they use, there is no exact figure *L*

You dont need live plants, they have some advantages, but they are something everyone must have.

If you do decide to go the live plant route, the best 2 plants to get are Anubias and Java fern, but extremely undemanding and very low maintenance