plants

[Fishboy17]

My first tank will be a 55 gallon and should I get real plants or fake plants. I am a huge noob

 

[dead_slade]

If you're new to the hobby, fake plants would be better, I always advise reading up on something before getting into it, it saves money and you won't make as many mistakes if you have an idea of what you are doing.

 

[IMCL85]

Well there is good and bad point for either fake or real plants. But as they prize of the two aren't really much different. But how ever I would vote for live plants as they have alot of the benefit to ur aquarium water. To begin with choose some very hardy and ez to grow plant such as java fern which can do very very well even under low lighting, and not to mention they r hardy. If you have farder more question you can go ask expert over on plants forum .

 

[Nospherith]

If you're new to the hobby, fake plants would be better, I always advise reading up on something before getting into it, it saves money and you won't make as many mistakes if you have an idea of what you are doing.

[snapback]883548[/snapback]​

not entirely true. you could get some low light plants that don't require much of anything and would be great for a newbie such as:

java fern:

anubias:

crytocoryne:

and others. Plants are way more beneficial becuase they provide O2 for fish, consume excess nutrients in the water column such as nitrates and phosphates, and to be honest they look alot less tacky and more natural especially combined with some nice pieces of driftwood. There isn't much maintinence involved with these plants but keep in mind you can't get just any plant. The main factor is light, some need more than others but the plants above will thrive in just about any condition. Check it out: nature aquariums.

this is one of my plants pearling pure O2:

 

[Dubby]

Live plants work wonders for the tank.

Before you buy any here are a few tips........
- get right substrate (fine gravel or sand)
- get right lighting (aim for atleast 2W /gallon)
- depending on the lighting, water conditions, types of fish you have select plants appropriately (go to www.tropica.com, click advanced search and choose correct lighting etc.)
- purchase plants online as it works out cheaper If you are in the UK look at www.aquaticplants.eu.com

If you need any more help give us a shout