Live plants in a Fw aquarium?

[kwirky]

if you get into nutrient dosing and CO2 and all that then a planted tank could turn into more work than a reef tank because of all the pruning required. they look real nice though.

[ElGuappo]

I have a 25 with 5 oddessa barbs and 5 green tigers lots of platnts i have found that a decent light and the addition of Flourish iron my my plants are fine, The pink one i found to be the most troublesome but with the iron added they do fine.

[Lance]

If you're gonna get some plants, get some veggie clips too. Many Cichlids will eat them, and Silver Dollars will gobble them up. Romain lettuce, etc. in the veggie clips will help some.

[SeaSerpant]

Originally Posted by RedneckDaveAb

We have live plants in most of our aquariums and with the right lighting they are awesome!

We grow Vals, anubias, java fern, java moss, najas grass, amazon swords, lotus plants, wisteria and hygrophila.

You could save a few dollars if you purchase a two bulb shop light from your local hardware store and hang it over your aquarium. Be sure to use "plant" light bulbs. However, if you can afford high intensity lighting that is best.

Be sure your fish are compatible with your plants. Cichlids and goldfish will quickly consume your new purchases

Dave

i have 4 angelfish and a few plants and i see no nippings. some types of cichlids will eat plants but not all kinds because angelfish are a TYPE of chiclid.

[Megalodon]

I have a planted tank full of cardinal tetras, a few shrimp, hatchet fish, blue rams, and albino bristlenose catfish. It's in my bedroom and I love it.

[ElGuappo]

I have a small amount of hornwart in there a s it is soft and edible, the fish will pick at this first. Will post pics later my fresh water tank is very modest only a 25 gallon.

[saltyrockbox]

see theplantedtank.net
a "high tech" planted tank is just as much work as a reef tank but 1/10th the cost I used to double the plant biomass every week!

[JHG]

In my opinion, a nicely designed planted aquarium rivals a reef tank. www.plantgeek.net is a fairly decent website for plants. If you're looking for information on PMDD, send me a PM.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by fishmaster

I think it important to differentiate between adding plants to an aquarium for function(ie; nutrient export, a more natural balance & look ect...) and a "Planted Tank"(ie;plants being the main theme of the tank involving special substrates, CO2 injection and so on)

this is not exactly true, while there are tanks that use all this, with plant selection you can have a low tech tank that looks just as good as any high tech tank, or you can go with a hybrid, which is somewhere inbetween low and high tech. all you have to do is buy acording to what you are willing to do.

here is a very good board where you can read up on different setups and a good place to ask questions
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/

Steve

[CRAP! Another Hobby]

Originally Posted by JHG

If you're looking for information on PMDD, send me a PM.

Started adding PMDD to my discus tank and my plants love it! My sword is growing faster than ever!! By far the best additive as a fertilizer (and way WAY cheaper than the Seachem crap!)

I played with the HIGH TECH method a couple of years back...too much hassel...Simply get plants that favour your water params and fish...then get some good lights to favour your plants needs. You can make it as easy and cheap, or as expensive and difficult, as you want.