Fake Or Live

[welsh_jester]

hi guys,

i finally got my self a tank today ait massive its about 15gals iv got some gravel and a ornamental cave witha few leaves comein off it i want to put a few more plants into it but dunno weather to get live or fake can anyone help? if so what kind?

also i had a internal filter with it but dont really like it so can anyone recommend a decent filter for my kind of tank

thanks.

 

[welsh_jester]

any advice??

 

[welsh_jester]

any1 out there tonight? lol

 

[fatheadminnow]

hi guys,

i finally got my self a tank today ait massive its about 15gals iv got some gravel and a ornamental cave witha few leaves comein off it i want to put a few more plants into it but dunno weather to get live or fake can anyone help? if so what kind?

also i had a internal filter with it but dont really like it so can anyone recommend a decent filter for my kind of tank

thanks.

It depends if you want low maintenance or higher?

If you go with fake, there is basically no maintenance.

If you go with live, you will have to take in consideration the following: lighting, Co2, O2, fertilizers, algae growth, substrate type and what plants will be suitable for your tank and fish.

-FHM

 

[welsh_jester]

hi guys,

i finally got my self a tank today ait massive its about 15gals iv got some gravel and a ornamental cave witha few leaves comein off it i want to put a few more plants into it but dunno weather to get live or fake can anyone help? if so what kind?

also i had a internal filter with it but dont really like it so can anyone recommend a decent filter for my kind of tank

thanks.

It depends if you want low maintenance or higher?

If you go with fake, there is basically no maintenance.

If you go with live, you will have to take in consideration the following: lighting, Co2, O2, fertilizers, algae growth, substrate type and what plants will be suitable for your tank and fish.

-FHM

once again u come to my rescue lol hows you bud?

ok seen as im new my best bet is just to stick with some fake ones then for now.

 

[mwood2]

Fake is a good start and can be replaced over time. Also have you considered other substance besides gravel? Florite and sand are 2 very good substances as well. Sand is better suited for bottom feeders such as Cory/Oto/Loach since it will not harm them where rough gravel may. Gravel from what I noticed is easier to keep plants down where sand is harder but fake plants tend to be easier to weigh down so sand can work well. I have planted tanks with both and either one looks good. Also Gravel and Sand tend not to have any benefits to plants themselves since they dont provide any nutrients to them. Florite is a smalll gravel which provides such benefits. Now you could have a thin layer of it under gravel or sad to also help out as well. I plan to try this on my next tank with sand.

Hope this helps you out.

 

[fatheadminnow]

hi guys,

i finally got my self a tank today ait massive its about 15gals iv got some gravel and a ornamental cave witha few leaves comein off it i want to put a few more plants into it but dunno weather to get live or fake can anyone help? if so what kind?

also i had a internal filter with it but dont really like it so can anyone recommend a decent filter for my kind of tank

thanks.

It depends if you want low maintenance or higher?

If you go with fake, there is basically no maintenance.

If you go with live, you will have to take in consideration the following: lighting, Co2, O2, fertilizers, algae growth, substrate type and what plants will be suitable for your tank and fish.

-FHM

once again u come to my rescue lol hows you bud?

ok seen as im new my best bet is just to stick with some fake ones then for now.

LOL...

Everything is going good man!

Fake plants are probably your best bet for now. With little to no maintenance...other than cleaning them every couple months or so

You can do some research and try to learn about what needs to be done when adding live plants to an aquarium. And then when you are comfortable, make the switch to live plants.

When you are ready, just post on here and we will try to help you out the best we can...at least I know I will...lol...

-FHM

 

[welsh_jester]

hi guys,

i finally got my self a tank today ait massive its about 15gals iv got some gravel and a ornamental cave witha few leaves comein off it i want to put a few more plants into it but dunno weather to get live or fake can anyone help? if so what kind?

also i had a internal filter with it but dont really like it so can anyone recommend a decent filter for my kind of tank

thanks.

It depends if you want low maintenance or higher?

If you go with fake, there is basically no maintenance.

If you go with live, you will have to take in consideration the following: lighting, Co2, O2, fertilizers, algae growth, substrate type and what plants will be suitable for your tank and fish.

-FHM

once again u come to my rescue lol hows you bud?

ok seen as im new my best bet is just to stick with some fake ones then for now.

LOL...

Everything is going good man!

Fake plants are probably your best bet for now. With little to no maintenance...other than cleaning them every couple months or so

You can do some research and try to learn about what needs to be done when adding live plants to an aquarium. And then when you are comfortable, make the switch to live plants.

When you are ready, just post on here and we will try to help you out the best we can...at least I know I will...lol...

-FHM

 

[lyotim88]

go for fake plants and get an aquaclear 30 or if you have the extra $15 go for the 50.. It's not really expensive and it'll give you nearly 10x turnover(the 50 will give you more like 15x, plus it's a great filter- quiet, reliable and easy to maintain.

 

[welsh_jester]

go for fake plants and get an aquaclear 30 or if you have the extra $15 go for the 50.. It's not really expensive and it'll give you nearly 10x turnover(the 50 will give you more like 15x, plus it's a great filter- quiet, reliable and easy to maintain.

ok thanks. how do i tell how much my current filter is turning over?

 

[welsh_jester]

go for fake plants and get an aquaclear 30 or if you have the extra $15 go for the 50.. It's not really expensive and it'll give you nearly 10x turnover(the 50 will give you more like 15x, plus it's a great filter- quiet, reliable and easy to maintain.

ok thanks. how do i tell how much my current filter is turning over?

 

[fatheadminnow]

go for fake plants and get an aquaclear 30 or if you have the extra $15 go for the 50.. It's not really expensive and it'll give you nearly 10x turnover(the 50 will give you more like 15x, plus it's a great filter- quiet, reliable and easy to maintain.

ok thanks. how do i tell how much my current filter is turning over?

When you buy the filter, it will say on the front of the box how much (EX: 100GPH) Then take that number and divide it by how big your tank is. (EX: 100GPH/20 gallon tank = 5 times turn over in one hour)

I have both the Aquaclear 20 and Aquaclear 70...and they are by far hands down my favorite HOB filter out there in that price range!

-FHM

 

[ALEXF]

I personally went with fake, mainly beacuse i have enough to worry about with my other animals. And like was said before once you have things under control you can always change it later. Also i would agree with them as well more filter power. !!! I have 700gph for a 55 gallon tank.

 

[vinylman]

Buy a couple of bunches of Elodea Densa. Even without a specialist substrate or ferts, they'll grow and benefit your fish.

 

[OldMan47]

I find that java moss is very easy to grow and is not very demanding. It will almost, but not quite, grow in the dark. As far as filters, if you read the ratings on the box and get the size recommended or the next size bigger, you can forget about flows and just go by the tank ratings. The plants will always be a good idea if you can keep them in the tank. They help out a little with removing some poisons from the tank that might build up without them. That means you don't need to be quite as picky with tank maintenance as some would have you be. It is not an excuse for letting the tank go but can help when you can't be home to take care of things on a tight schedule.