When Does Your Tank Become A "planted Tank"

[JustKia]

As the title really.

At what point does a tank stop being a "fish" tank with plants and become a "planted tank"?

 

[Truck]

well in my opinion when youve spent about £50+ on plants £100 on a decent CO2 system, and about £40 on ferts etc

then it becomes a planted tank

 

[SuperColey1]

The moment you ditch the plastic and 'plant' then it is a planted tank. Can be just 1 or 2 but is still a planted tank

 

[Dave Spencer]

If 2WPG is a high light tank, them £50PG is a planted tank.

Dave.

 

[three-fingers]

To me a tank becomes a 'planted tank' when the plants are actually thriving, rather than just existing or slowly dyeing. It doesn't matter how many of the plants there are.

 

[nosoup4you]

In my opinion it is when the fish become an accessory to the scape and the plants take precedence.

 

[aaronnorth]

In my opinion it is when the fish become an accessory to the scape and the plants take precedence.

I agree, when plants are the main focal point/ the main thing you take care of.

 

[TheConstantGrower]

To me a tank becomes a 'planted tank' when the plants are actually thriving, rather than just existing or slowly dyeing. It doesn't matter how many of the plants there are.

Have had planted tanks forever, read this gave me quite the chuckle. your so very right, its when a plant isnt there just slowly dieing from the moment it left the bag till the moment it leaves your house in the next bag. or isnt just sitting there half cocked never taken care of. those arent planted tanks. those are still tanks with "real" plant decorations. a planted tank owner, no matter of how much they were able to spend on a co2 system or fancy lites. it all ammounts to the same thing, someone trying to better the quality of life... for a plant, their plant. their fish, their tank, a desire to better the lives your responsable for. not just stare at it till it peaces.

But hey. dont listen to me im nuts.

 

[SuperColey1]

That means I don't have a planted tank then!!!

AC

 

[NameUser]

But hey. dont listen to me im nuts.

ha, hey im nuts too!

 

[waterdrop]

Have to say this was a good question from the OP. Having spent some energy (reading, thinking, talking, if not on plants that much yet!) trying to learn some of this I've wondered the same thing myself. It was very interesting to hear some thoughtful answers, especially knowing that there are a few of you over here in the planted section that very much enrich the experience for us beginners who mostly hang out in the beginners section.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[pippoodle]

so is this tank of mine a planted tank then you've all got me confused lmao
i know it doesnt take much

Rio 180
lighting is 2x 36 watt t8 (1x flora bulb 1x life bulb)
dosed every 2 weeks in tetrapond plantamin

 

[JustKia]

Hmm, seems there's many views =)
I think I'm in the "tank with plants" stage, but I also think that with the same number of plants I could move into the "planted tank" stage. Right now, the plants aren't the focus but I'm slowly learning how they can be beneficial to the whole mini eco-system of the tank. I think it's time I did some reading up on Diana Walstad.
Besides adding small amounts food (for plants and livestock) can a tank become almost self suficient, with the waste being broken down and used to create nutrients? Or even without adding the extra food supplies?

 

[SuperColey1]

I'm sticking with my earlier statement. If there is a plant in the tank it is by definition of the word 'planted'.

I don't think anyone could suggest mine isn't. I look at mine as a planted tank but the fish are definately more important to me.

If it came down to choosing planted with no fish or plastic with fish then I would definately be going the latter way.

IMO a planted tank looks great but without the fish I wouldn't be looking at it for hours on end watching leaves moving!!!
I can however look at a silly tank with blue gravel and treasure chests spouting bubbles in as long as I like the fish in there. I would be itching to make it look more natural though which is why I love the planted look so much. Hopefully the fish love it much more too. They seem to be much happier.

AC

 

[nudzy]

just wanted to say - justkia l love your roma tank in your sig!