Help with Plants in Cichlid Tank

[dshipl01]

Hello All! I currently have a 55 gallon tank with 13 mixed Cichlids and a medium size pleco. I have quite a bit of rock and some drift wood in it. I would like to add some plants but I am curious if the Cichlids would tear them up. Anyone have luck with plants and Cichlids. I also saw a post about low-light plants which is what I probably would have to get because I only have a Natural Lux NL-30 on the tank. I also have two 18" 15W T8 Sun-GLO strips I could put on the tank and an extra Aurora 50/50 18" 15 W as well. Any suggestions would be a great help. Here are a few pictures of the tank. Also I created the foam background and hung it on the back of the tank. I know they are suppose to go inside but did not want to tear it down. The next set-up will be inside and much better, I hope! Thanks!

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[Rbishop]

Welcome to AC! With the cichlids you show, it is doubtful.

 

[IceH2O]

You don't think he could get away with java ferns or african ferns?

They attach to rock work and are pretty tough plants. I'd lean more towards the african fern though.

 

[petluvr]

Did I see an M. Auratus back there, that suckers gonna get MEAN. Great looking tank though.

 

[dshipl01]

Yes, I have two of these. They just pretty much chase each other. Everyone else gets along fine. Thanks for the reply!

 

[dshipl01]

I was wondering about them tearing the plants up. Thanks for the reply!

 

[dshipl01]

I may try the african fern. Thanks!

 

[haynchinook334]

If that fails, you can always go plastic plants.

 

[blue2fyre]

I had to switch to plastic plants in my african cichlid tank. I tried java fern and they shredded it. They tore apart any plant I put in the tank and even tried to tear up the plastic ones.

 

[dshipl01]

Thanks, this is what I ned to know. I think I will just get more rock and wood!