Live Plant Questions

[FriendlyFriendlyFish]

I currently have three plants in my 10gal that I got at my LFS. They came in mini terracotta pots and I have had to make the gravel in my tank quite deep to cover the pots. Is it best to leave the plants in the pots or should  take them out and bury the roots in the gravel? Also does anyone know if there is a maximum number of plants that should be kept in a 10gal? I see picture that people post of heavily planted tanks and I think they look beautiful but I don't know if it would make a smaller tank took to crowded.  Any advice would be great! 

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

I like to take the plants out of the pot.  I imagine that this will get the root system the ability to grow.  However, I am relatively new to plants as well.  What kind of plants do you have?

 

[techen]

Remove pot and plant them, The pot stops the roots from growing out.
 
There is no "Too many plants" So as much as you like.

 

[FriendlyFriendlyFish]

Thanks NBL. I have 1 Rotala Indica and I believe the other two plants are Amazon Swords. 

Thanks techen. I was worried that if I had to many plants it would take room away from my fish but I guess it will just give them more places to hide

 

[frapadoodle]

Agree, take them out of the pots.
If the fish still have room to swim, you don't have too many plants.
Warning though, Amazon swords can rapidly outgrow a 10gal.

 

[PrincessKiara]

Whoo boy! Your swords will get HUGE. I just bought mine and already it dominates my 63 gallon tank. It's not done growing yet, either; not by a long shot!

 

[FallynLeigh]

Swords are massive!  I have one that takes up at least 70% of my 20 gallon!  But they sure are beautiful!  And as long as your fish can swim around without getting tangled up, lots of plants are fine.

 

[FriendlyFriendlyFish]

Thanks everyone for the responses

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Just to add, many plants you can also separate the stems to spread the plant around after you've taken it out of the pot.

 

[Meeresstille]

Allow your plants to grow in some before you go out and invest in some more. In a 10 gallon tank you may very well end up having more than you need/want very fast. Also have a look at the species of fish you have. Tetras and rasboras for example do like some swimming room, so you don't want to plant up the whole tank.

 

[richpowell1989]

Amazon swords are great plants careful tho they are heavy root feeders. Take the plants out of the pots thats what I do and believe its the best option. Keep an eye on the sword they get massive of not pruned. I have one over 24 inches tall with over 30 leaves on it. Been in my tank for over 3 years would hate to have to move it as the root sustem would be huge lol and in my opinion you can never have 2 many plants lol

 

[PrincessKiara]

How do you trim swords? I don't want mine to take over my tank! LOL

 

[richpowell1989]

Just cut the leaves at the bottom of the stalk make sure ur carful to not cut the rest of the leaves just cut the leave n stalk its on right off as close to the bottom as u can