Tropical Fish Forums

[sammybelle]

Reading about the pros/cons of live and artificial plants...I'm brand new to this hobby and am wondering if I should go with all plastic plants for now, or all plastic with some beginner level plants like java moss/ fern, or all live plants, even as a newbie. If live plants is the way to go, I'm using pool filter sand as the substrate and am wondering how plants will do with that. Thanks in advance![/b]

[nikelodeon79]

I really like live plants. Plants like java fern, anubais, some species of Sagittaria, vals, and crypts can do quite well in low light, low tech tanks. (I tend to avoid java moss because it spreads and gets MESSY).

It helps with water quality, looks nice, and the fish seem to appreciate it. I have sand in all my tanks and the above plants do great.

(Just a note on the sand: be sure to rinse it VERY thoroughly before adding it to your tank).
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Dumpster Tank
Nano Fish
Mbuna

[Cinder]

I started with plastic plants and had them for a couple of months before I realized that I really wanted live plants.

I strongly recommend live plants... your tank will be natural, your fish will be very happy and it helps to keep your water cleaner which helps to keep your tank stable.

I have both gravel and sand in my tanks and the low light plants grow just fine in the sand. Java fern, crypts, java moss (which you do have to keep in check but I like how it covers my wood pieces) are very easy to grow in any tank.
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135 gln. freshwater tank
29 gln. freshwater tank