for shrimp... real or fake plants ok?

[robotdeathsquad]

Gotta ask... will shrimp like artificial plants, or should I do my best to get real plants?

The reason is because I was thinking of using LEDs for lighting (for energy savings, cost and ease). These LEDs however, will not be good for real plant growth.

But I really want shrimp, so if they will want live plants, I'll go that route.

 

[bighammer1956]

Yes,they like both.I find mine hiding in both.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

real plants because real plants grow and help keep the water quality good. what size of tank do you have? you can try a couple cfl bulbs with some low light plants. not too hard and not a lot of power.

 

[psyche]

I think real plants are better overall. But for hiding and hanging around in, plastic is fine

 

[blue2fyre]

I think shrimp need at least something like moss. Moss can grow in pretty low light. I would try growing some in your set up for your shrimp.

 

[Steverd]

I only use real plants in all of my shrimp tanks.

Lots of Java moss and Java ferns.
Anubias and a few moss balls.

But they also like Riccia, Pellia, Hornwort, wisteria, Comboba, anacharis, Ambulia, any type of moss, plus more.

Steve

 

[excuzzzeme]

My shrimp seem to not care as long as there is something to hide/rest/feed on. I used fake for a long time before I went with real plants.

 

[katana1200]

I have heard of alot of people going with LED for live plants. There are a few people way more knowledgable than me on this issue, but you should cruise around the planted tank forum and see what is recomended. They are hella expensive though.

 

[robotdeathsquad]

I have heard of alot of people going with LED for live plants. There are a few people way more knowledgable than me on this issue, but you should cruise around the planted tank forum and see what is recomended. They are hella expensive though.

I already talked with one of the members about LEDs through PMs. He made a LED setup for his tank but used special high power ones. I really hate how cost prohibitive they are (I am a college student, no $$$)

Thats why I am seriously considering using (silk of course) artificial plants along with normal power LED strips. Someone on this forum did mention that real plants dont provide a significant amount of oxygen as one thinks and using a bubbler or the water level an inch below the filter waterfall for aeration works just as good if not better.

 

[katana1200]

I have found that HOB filters create enough surface disruption for gas off. I do not use a bubbler on any of my tanks, planted or otherwise. Really I believe that O2 will travel to an area of lesser concentration by diffusion if the surface of the water is not a pane of glass.

Also, I use standard aquarium lighting on my tanks with around 1 wpg and grow anubias, java moss, java fern, amazon sword, crypts, and african water fern without a problem. Also guppy grass as a floating plant. With a little natural light each day. You could probably still get away with a low light plant package for your shrimps. But I'm sure the silk would be fine as well.