Real Plants vs.Undergravel Filter

[aerofish]

Just got a nice lookin' 15 gallon for tropical fishkeeping. Haven't started to stock it yet. I'm thinking about having white gravel, a black background (anybody got any suggestions?), and live plants.
I've had a 5 gallon for about a year now and it's been doin pretty well. It has an undergravel filter which has been doing a pretty good job of keeping the tank water clean. It's got no live plants tho.
I bought an undrrgravel filter for my new tank but would this cause problems with planting? Would it affect roots or take away nutrients?

 

[Nexstar]

Yes a couple.
I would stay away from white gravel and go dark (black especially) shows off fish better and makes them less stressed. Basically they feel exposed under those conditions. I have 25g planted tank picture attached and I am using an undergravel filter however I am using it reverse flow. Meaning water from cannister filter is returned to tank into the tube going to the UGF. This spreads out the return flow and also keeps water moving through substrate and also less build up in gravel. I would recommend Eco-complete for the substrate. Greaaaaaaat stuff. Further it is dark, requires No cleaning and already has good bateria in it. Water in bag goes into tank as well. If you want plants need good thick layer. A single bag may be enough for you as they are 20lbs. It is awesome for your plants. Also you want a fair level of lighting 2-3 watts per gallon 11-12 hours a day for good growth.

Just some thoughts.
Here is a picture of my newest tank 2 weeks old.

Cheers
Bob

 

[sn8k]

Plants and undergravel filters just don't work well together... I think one of the better combinations would be plants & a canister filter, along with a good substrate gravel like Fluorite oe Eco-Complete. That along with some good lighting will get you well on the road to a successful and beautiful aquarium.

 

[ChriX]

Nexstar that is a very nice looking tank you have there, especially for only 2 weeks old, it should get even better! May I ask what the green box with the display on it is for?

 

[Lateral Line]

People had planted tanks when there was little choice other then UGF's, so it is certainly possible to plant a UGF equipped tank. It is also, by a long way, not the best solution.

In nature, most plants grow in extremely oxygen depleted or anaerobic substrates made of fine silty muddy goo.