I couldn't answer, I use both. I just started planting my 10 gallon so I have kept fake plants in as "fodder" until the real plants fill out and I plant more.
ooohhhh yeah. my mother has made some truly awesome plant only tanks that put fish only tanks to shame. I was thinking about turing my old 1/2g bowl into a java fern plantling nursery.plah831 said:I gotta agree with mandimoron. Plants are just another living organism and it's very rewarding to see them thrive.
paku, there's nothing wrong with loving plants more than fish, just don't tell your fishies! Many folks have plant-only tanks and they look beautiful.
by the way, I've NEVER been able to keep houseplants alive, until I started aquatic gardening in my aquariums. Now I understand how to feed terrestrial plants properly to get them lush and green. Guess I just needed the aquatic link to make it sink into my brain (I'm a Pisces, a true water baby).