Pros And Cons Of A Planted Tank

[benthyer]

Hey Guys,
 
I have just set up my tank and was getting ready to cycle but have now delayed it for two reasons, the first being that the heater I have knackered and heated my tank to 40C when set to 24C! The second is that I am considering changing to a planted tank rather than have fake plants.
 
I already know that plants will help with the cycle and provide more oxygen but what are the pros and cons?
 
Also will I have to empty my tank again to change the gravel or could I just move it aside and add what I need and replace it?
 
Thanks in advance for your help and advice!

 

[levahe]

What gravel do you have? Pretty much all gravel is suitable for plants so don't worry too much about changing it unless you really want a plant substrate.

 

[fluttermoth]

If you're intending to keep any catfish or loaches, I would advise you to think about changing to sand now while it's still easy

You would need to take all the gravel out though ,or the sand will fall through the gaps and disappear.
 
Both will work for easy plants though. Real plants are nearly always better for fish; they use up nitrate and won't tear any soft fins. They can also supply a food source, if you have to go away, and for any small fish or fry, in the form of microscopic algae and micro organisms. most people think they look better, and they can help keep algae down.
 
Cons are; if you don't get the right kinds, they can die and look horrible. I can't think of any more cons, really, lol.
 
Try anubias and Java ferns (both tied to rock or bogwood), cryptocorynes, Amazon swords, vallis (does best if your water's on the hard side) and mosses; christmas and Java moss are both easy.

 

[Chad]

Cons in my opinion are limited.

• Extra expense of buying the plants and for some kinds of plants lighting, Co2 and fertilizer costs as well as, perhaps, some tools to work with them.
• Extra time spend maintaining the tank. You have to trim the plants.
• Some fish will uproot the plants which means you generally avoid that type of fish or have to create an Aquascape designed to protect those plants (I've done this by putting rocks around the base of some plants).

The rest of it is pros in my opinion.

• More balanced system in terms of pH.
• lower nutrient levels in water.
• Less frequent water changes required as the plants are a natural filter.
• Depending on the stocking levels of plants and fish you can run this kind of tank without a filter.
• I think they look great.
• Provides a more natural environment for fish, fry, and shrimp to live in.
• Produces oxygen for the fish.

There are probably more pros that I'm not thinking of. All around a planted tank for me is highly desirable.

 

[benthyer]

At the moment I have blue aquarium gravel. I know that you buy substrate to go underneath but is it nesscessary?

I haven't decided on what fish I want yet but I am definitely keen on getting a plec and possibly a red tailed shark but not decided on that one yet due to their nature as they mature.

I have hard water in my area as well so need plants and fish that are suited to this.

From what you are saying though it definitely seems that planted tanks have a lot more benefits, especially to the quality of the tank and the health of the fish.

 

[GRD1985]

Some fish will eat them.

make sure you get a dwarf plec....

 

[Chad]

Substrate depends on the plant. Some will grow fine in gravel. Others will not. Still others don't grow in the substrate at all.

 

[Nikki77D]

In my case as soon as I changed my tank to all real plants rock and driftwood my fish are a lot happier, my kribs tummy used to be a light purple but as soon as I switched to plants its now a bright red