New to Plants in my tank

[LongNY]

Just starting here to add plants to my aquarium.....until I learn more about plants and their needed nutrition, can I simply put the plants in the tank and leave them in the pots that they come in? Or is there something dangerous to the fish and the plants by doing so? Thanks John NYC

 

[KentBlokey]

I don't think there's anything in the pots that will harm the fish. But the Plants roots will eventually become pot bound. Bit like being on a Plane for 6 hours and wanting to stretch your legs.

 

[lucky62]

Many times that material the roots are in is loaded with fertilizer . The fertilizers can be high in nitrates and phosphates and will most likely raise these levels in an aquarium , nitrates and phosphates can are removed by water changes mostly and may cause you problems with algae among other things .[ water changes are the most practical way ].
I always remove them , usually under running water I loosen the material by rinsing . Some plants will do OK with fish waists breaking down for nutrients , and regular partial water changes , other plants may require more in they way of nutrients .
IMO it is best to remove the material .

 

[George Farmer]

I would leave them in the pots to start with. If your setup is suitable then you should see signs of growth, you can then remove the pot and plant into your substrate. If the plant doesn't grow then you can simply remove the plant and pot without disturbing your gravel.

For your interest I planted two Amazon Swords (Echinodorus blehri) -you can see them in my sig in the background two years ago. They are still in their pots!! I didn't know any better back then.

 

[LongNY]

Thanks for the advice..... My water quality is super soft...5...hardness is super low....like 2-3, my new tank is still cycling, so nitrates are 0, so I'm thinking that if I added the plants potted, and if it raised my water qualities, I'll be fine since everything is sooooo low... John NYC

PS Beauthiful tank pic btw....

 

[B75]

I have 2 sword amazons and a twisted valliss still in their pots and the roots are doing really well because the bottom of the pots are opened, the pots help keep my plants under the substate because my fish have a habit of uprooting them.

 

[SHANTYMAID]

Beautiful tank gf