When Can I Add Live Plants? Any Advice On Which Ones To Choose?

[blur411]

I've seen a lot of people post pictures of their tanks on here with live plants, and they look SO much nicer. I'm currently in the middle of a "fish-in-cycle", and this is my first tank since I was 10. I've never had live plants before. The lady at the LFS told me to steer away from live plants, but with no real explanation. At what point is it safe to put plants in, do I need any additional chemicals, or lighting, or filtering? What about substrate? Right now I have a rock and gravel mix. I currently have 4 Guppies and a Pleco. I don't have my test kit yet (Ugh, Amazon usually is VERY quick around here), but I've been doing water changes of 20% daily and 40% every 3 days or so and adding the anti ammonia and nitrite solution. It's a 55 gallon tank, with a heater and good filtration and an air bubbler. Any suggestions?

 

[Welshweeks]

Hi Blur, I'm a newbie so might be wrong but I would imagine putting plant's in asap should help with a fish in cycle because I'm sure that the plant will help to process the ammonia a little and form part of the nitrogen cycle.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!!

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Hi Blur, I'm a newbie so might be wrong but I would imagine putting plant's in asap should help with a fish in cycle because I'm sure that the plant will help to process the ammonia a little and form part of the nitrogen cycle.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!!

It COULD help when doing a fish-in cycle (threads about 'silent cycling' are around here somewhere), but the tank would have to be very heavily planted to make such a difference to the health of the fish.
It is generally thought that gravel promotes growth to plants and grasses better due to nutrients being able to fall inbetween it, but if you head over to the planted section then the more knowledgable can help you further.

Terry.