New tank/live plants?

[davidaguiar]

I've had my 30g tank for a year and am already thinking about expanding to a 55g tank. I am also considering switching from plastic to live plants. Unfortunately, I'm not home much, so I'm worried about how much more work this would take. Any general thoughts about differences in the work load? I've been reading some in the live plant forum, and it sounds awefully complicated. I just feel like my fish would feel more at home with some live plants, plus they look much better.

[yashinfan]

Well, there are two routes you can go: Easy plants live java ferns and swords which require just natural light, no CO2, and don't need any fertilizer. OR- you could get all fancy and buy plants that need expensive lighting, CO2, fertilizer, and trimming. So you can be very busy or you can have nothing to do with it, it's really up to you!

[chipstahoy]

plants don't have to be a big hassle. the plants in my tank are growing well, not really an algae problem, and i dont add CO2. some nice low light low maintenance plants are basically any anubias (esp nana), crypts, and java fern and moss. i also have rotala which are growing really well in my tank and i have to trim occassionally. plants don't have to be a big hassle, but you can make it one if you want.

-chip

[MrGoodbytes]

I agree that plants don't have to be complicated. You can have a very nice, low-maintenance tank with 1-1.5WPG with some low light plants like Smaller Cryptocoryne species, Java Fern, Water Sprite, Vals, Hygrophila, Anubias species, etc, just like chip and yashinfan suggested.

If you have any questions, head over to the planted forum and post a question about low-light tanks.

Once you go plastic, you never go back ;).

Graeme