Live Plants or Artificial?

[Darjay]

Hi all,

I'm just planning the set up of my new (first tropical) tank (24"). Would you recommend live or artificial plants?

Does the tank benefit a great deal from live plants or are they more trouble than they are worth?

Any help appreciated - thanks!

 

[fraservet]

live plants every time provided....
you're not keeping anything that will just destroy them
you pick easy species

they will certainly help your tank - both aesthetically and by absorbing some harmful substances and helping to reduce algae.

 

[Nisha]

Live plants are much better and allow the fish to act more naturally. I highly recommend it.

Keeping live plants can be a challenge if you don't plan right but easy if you start on the right foot. Do some research and ensure that the plants you buy are appropriate for the amount of light you have in your tank.
Here's a good link that will give you a good idea of what is involved. Your First Planted Tank.

 

[Final Dynazty]

I use fake becuase i just dont think i have enough experience to try and keep live plants i know i will mees up.

 

[Darjay]

Thanks for the help. I'll get reading!

 

[TorPeteO]

Side question;

Nisha, is that vallisneria in your signature tank? If so, how well do you find it grows? Obviously yours looks like it's growing well, but I've got some in my tank that hardly appears to be growing at all. Do you use fertilizers or anything special in your substrate?

Thanks