Should I switch a cichlid tank into a planted tank?

[cichlidkeeper91]

I was thinking that for Christmas I would make my cichlid tank into a planted tank? But take the cichlids out. I just love how my Nano Cube looks and now I want a big tank of plants. Any response would be awesome.
Thnx
cichlidkeeper91

[FishWeirdo]

Go for it man!
I have a 55gal planted oddball tank! I have 3 amazon swords, 1 brazilian sword,wisteria,some onion/scallion lookinplants, mondo grass,6bannaplants,2 dwarf lillies, and and a couple of chainswords!
As for the fish I have a 11 & 1/2in. florida gar ,12 in. fire eel, 5in.spiney& tire track eels(1 each),a5 in.mystus cat.a 5in oneline cat, and last but not least , my 6in clown Knife! Don't worry moving to a 150 gal soon!
Although my tank is about 4 years old i have recently started getting into the plants! It's fun and rewarding. Good for the fish too!
Are you gonna put fish too?

[Robert H]

BTW, Mondo grass is not an aquatic plant, and will eventually die. Depending on what kind of cichlids you have, they can be kept in a planted tank.

[cichlidkeeper91]

I definately dont have the right kind of cichlids to have a planted tank with cichlids. I have a red devil and a hemichromis frempongi. Im going to have to get rid of them. I just want peaceful fish like cool tetras and stuff like that.

[cichlidkeeper91]

Well now my dad wont let me because it costs to much for the lights and crap. This sucks.

[jamesbugman]

You don't need expensive lights or CO2 to grow plants. Even with the stock light strip you can have plants, it just limits your choices.
I have a 50G with 2-15W light strips, and I can grow some crypts, anacharis, vals, java fern, mosses, water sprite, amazon sword...
I also just have the standard gravel substrate. I have just picked low and medium light plants and tried them out to see what works.

Good luck with watever you decide
James