FishProfiles.com Message Forums

with real plants, the fish can eat it, so if nothingh is left, and u are on vacation for 1-2 days, they should be fine, it does help with water, and it will bring out the natural look in ur tank, but there is nothing wrong with, going full fake plants, or u can make a combo, of both real and fake.

im for real plants all the way....i just cant have a tank without living, thriving plants...plus, dont forget the beauty they bring in there.

just make sure to research the plants you want to get, make sure of the light requirements, potential size, floating or planted, substrate requirements... You will be much more successful in your plant venture by matching the plants to your lighting, which at 1 watt/gal is kinda low for a lot of plants. Good strong light is necessary for lots of plants. Also wether to fertilize with liquid or tabs, co2 etc. I made the mistake of planting a bunch of swords in my 29 gal which had about .66 wpg. They looked really nice in there, though they didn't make it. Now I'm back to plastic, which I like better anyways. Matter of personal preference.

As long as there’s enough room to swim for your fish it would be fine.

ronn

Can't say i've ever seen a specific plant to fish ratio rule before. In my opinion, the more plants the merrier It all depends on what kind of lighting and conditions your tank falls into as to what plants would work well in the tank, and what you like Your best bet is to start a new thread in the planted aquaria for all the answers to your plant related questions

God luck,
Tim

thanks guys!!!! i'll be hitting the lfs soon.......... sooo now i'm starting to plant the 15 gal which has 4 black shirt tetra's and 4 serpae tetra , and would like to add a kuhli loach 15watt powerglo florescent

so whats the plant to fish ratio??

Last edited by whodini at 12-Sep-2005 23:35

Last edited by whodini at 12-Sep-2005 23:36

90g- anguilla rostrata,6 silver dollars,2 pictus catfish 60 g- anguilla rostrata 29g-4 blk skirt&4 serpia tetras, 6 harliquin resbora, 3kuhli loach 20g- 2 mountian minnows, 2 zebra danio& dojo loach , a corn snake and 2 monster dogs

Once I went planted, I can no longer imagine my tank without plants, the fish are happier without doubt.. And the natural look is alot more relaxing for ME to look at as well. But definately more expense and work, you can setup a low light tank with low requirement plants though with minimal fuss.

The Amazon Nut...

as long as theyre good quality real plants, i would say theres no question that theyre better than fake. at the end of the day its preference, me i have 1/2 & 1/2.

Yeah, I'm doing a fake/real combo in my tank right now. It looks really good, and I don't have to break the bank doing it (really important, since I'm a university student). But if you have the bucks, go real.

nice fake plants are avialable now soo my question is; Is having real plants give something to the fish that a fish only tank not have?

90g- anguilla rostrata,6 silver dollars,2 pictus catfish 60 g- anguilla rostrata 29g-4 blk skirt&4 serpia tetras, 6 harliquin resbora, 3kuhli loach 20g- 2 mountian minnows, 2 zebra danio& dojo loach , a corn snake and 2 monster dogs

Go with Live Plants, as they are much more nicer & beneficial to your fish.



http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buzaqq/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

They both have their benefits and disadvantages.

Real plants are healthier for your fish and add a whole new dimension to your aquarium. You do not need special lighting or CO2 if you choose an easy to grow species like Jave Fern. You can grow into it depending on your desire and finances.- No pun intended

Fake palnts do not require anything special, so you can't kille them.

I have several tanks and have used both. Give real plants a try- you may become just as addicted to it as with fisk keeping.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/site/aquarank.aspx

Is having real plants give something to the fish that a fish only tank not have?

No comparison.

The single best thing you can do for your fish bar none.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

I agree with the posters above.

Overall, I would say it is a question of preference and $$$.

Without a doubt, a planted tank will eventually cost you more money. Usually, people upgrade their light system to allow the growth of more light intensive plants, they fertilize plants, some add CO2 for plant growth, and they buy the plants.

In a non-planted tank you only have to buy the plastic copies (guess what my preference is?) and dust them off once in a while.

But as the posts above mention, there is certainly a benefit for the fish in having the real deal. Somehow, it never struck my mind to use fake plants as I enjoy watching them grow as much as I enjoy watching my fish grow.

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

As said before, live plants do help to complete the ecosystem that is your aquarium. They uptake nitrates, are softer than most fake plants so they won't hurt long finned fish, (i think) they look nicer, plus they will grow and you can trim them and plant the cuttings another place.

Granted fake plants have come a long way, but you can still tell the real from the silk

Real plants can help alot with water quality and fish health. Most people also think they look alot nicer. Live plants take some research though just like it takes research to know what fish will thrive in your tank.

Other than many personal opinions if you a bit of research you will find out very quickly that live plants a benifical to the tank and the fish.
I am not refering to the total look at all as in my opinion nothing is as good as the origional.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW