Half Real Half Fake Tank

[DiddleBug]

I was attempting real plants and half my plants died on me.

 so... Right now I have half and half.

 I'm debating on if I want to spend more on more live or just stick with what I have... The plants that had died were anacharis and a wenditii crypt thing.  Now I'm using a better fert (Tropica) so if I got them again they could possibly live.

Here's my tank.  
 
http/s1283.photobucket.com/user/Passamaquatty/media/image_zps744b26b7.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
 
Maybe I'm just not a person who can keep aquarium plants alive...  
 
Feel free to comment.  

 

[noobgamers]

i think youre problem is lighting more than anithing but you could try vallis elodea crypts and maybe some types of java fern

 

[guppyguy1234]

no fish??

 

[DiddleBug]

Not at the moment.  I'm not sure what to do.  I don't like tetras and if I'd live bearers... well, I'd probably end up with way too many.  I'd like to get some pygmy corys for sure to help eat extra food.  
 
And I have good lighting.  It's a bit strong so I only do an hour or two a day of it.  

 

[BerryAttack]

lighting isn't on long enough probably. min of 4 hours, usually 6-8 is great. whats the wpg? 
you have enough nutrients in the tank?

 

[DiddleBug]

I think like 17 or something?  i dunno.  I talked about it before with an expert and it's fine for my tank.  
 
Today I got 3 swordtails-one male and 2 females.  They looked hardier than the guppies.  I might get a few pygmy corys some time.  

 

[looking-glass]

when it comes to plants i keep it simple and stick to java fern, amazon swords and vallis - good hardy plants especially if your on a budget and dont want to splash out on ferts etc - just a little food will surfice

 

[DiddleBug]

I thought vallis would melt? 

 

[looking-glass]

its never done that on me always found it easy to keep

 

[DiddleBug]

Maybe i'll try them again some time.  my first one a while ago was half dead when it came in the mail.
 
Here's a pic of my male swordtail-he's quite handsome.
 
http/s1283.photobucket.com/user/Passamaquatty/media/image_zps22ba410f.jpg.html