Will my fish eat plants?

[superjohnny]

Hey guys,
I planted a few plants from PetCo, but my tinfoil barbs ate them right up. I have 2 tinfoil barbs, 2 liperines' (SP?), 1 ciclid & 2 Chineese algae eaters. I am sooo tired of plastic plants and would like to have real plants in my tank. If I get rid of the tinfoils will my other fish eat plants?

I have a Fluval 203 canister filter and a 100w flourescent light. What do I need to know to get into plants? Am I going to have to change my gravel, light, filter and everything else?

Any help is great, thanks

 

[tyler]

what size tank is this?

 

[superjohnny]

Sorry, I guess you kinda need to know huh? It's a 45 gallon high.

Thanks

here are some pics:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2029

 

[downloader]

the tin foils will eat plants, you have to try some plants they don't eat, try some java fern or moss. good luck

 

[superjohnny]

I think i'm going to get rid of the Tinfoil barbs. Will the liparinas', cichlids or algae eaters eat plants or root them up or anything?

Thanks

 

[Cichlid Woman]

You've got perfect lighting for the size tank you've got--it's not terribly deep, is it?

Some cichlids wreak havoc on plants. What kind have you got?

-- Pat

 

[superjohnny]

It's 36" x 12" x 24" (LxWxH) and has a 15w Philips light. I guess I need a new bulb and probably another fixture. Maybe I can add light internals to my existing hood? I'll check into that...

I figure I'll have to have something >2w/gallon because so much light will escape (since it's so tall). I think I'll shoot for 3w/gallon.

I have an un-setup 30gallon tank in the garage. Maybe I should use it as an experimental tank before I get too involved with the one in my livingroom.

Thanks for the input all.