Should I put a live plant in my tank?

[yvez9]

My tank is a bit over a week old, still cycling with guppies and mollies.

Would live plants help cycling and would they be good for the fish?

Please note, i have a large snail in there and i have no clue what kind it is.

 

[WILDER]

If you are a beginner, I would say don't bother with live plants till you no more about the fish, as live plants are quite difficult to you no what you are doing.

 

[smithrc]

I'll agree with the above.

Plants are harder to keep that the fish.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I think it depends what kind of plant. If you choose easy options like vallis, moss or java fern then you will be ok even with little care and low lighting. They can help with cycling as they eat up amonia etc and IMO all tanks should have live plants in.

It's up to you though, maybe try a few easy and cheap plants just to try.

 

[modernhamlet]

I agree with Cheese Specialist. Plants are by no means beyond the abilities of a beginning fishkeeper. In fact, having the right plants can help a tank overcome the occasional newbie error with regard to ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.

Have a look at this page and consider starting with some of their suggestions: http/www.aquamaniacs.net/ProvenPerformer...aticPlants.html

I kept 5 of those 8 plants in my very first tank and they did excellently, even with low light conditions. The fish really appreciated it to. Oh, and a well planted tank looks awesome as well.

How many gallons is your tank? How many watts on your current lighting fixture?

 

[Gunnie]

I also agree with Cheese Specialist and modernhamlet. You don't have to have a high-tech tank to successfully grow low light or easy plants. Here's a great article to help you decide if you want live plants:

Setting up your first planted tank

If you decide plants are for you, look at the low light plants under lighting requirements in the plantguide for more plant options. I'm assuming you have a basic tank set up with a hood or strip light. If you have a more sophisticated set-up, you wil have more watts per gallong (wpg) lighting, and more plant options.

Plantguide

The plants will enhance your tank, and I think your fish will be happier. They will also consume some of the ammonia and nitrates, which may make your cycle take longer, but I think your fish will be less stressed through this cycle period. The only obstacle I see is your snail. Take a picture and post it if you can. Some snails love to eat plants.