[snatched]

Has anyone been sucessful growing live plants with their African cichlids? I have a few Petco specials in my tank that aren't growing, but aren't dying. I'm setting up a new African tank and I'm interested in hearing other people's experiances. I was thinking of trying out a few plants and see what does the best. I'm not going for a full out planted tank, just a few plants here and there.

[richardsville]

If they aren't dying then you must not be doing anything wrong, right?

I havn't tried it yet, but will when I set up my new tank. I am just going to get one plant and see how it does. My only worry is growing a bunch of algea and making my tank ugly...or at least that is my wife's worry...

Jeff

[snatched]

I thought live plants were supposed to decrease algae in the tank by using up the nutrients that algae needs? Either way, I don't have a lot of algae in my tank, just a little hair algae that grows on the plants that I wipe off every once and awhile. My pleco used to take care of that but he died.

Now that I said my plants are doing fine, my sword type one is getting yellow tips. Figures. I think I'm going to put 4-6 plants in my 55g when I get it up and going. Java Ferns and other hard to kill stuff. I just think a tank with a few plants looks better. I have a seperate 10g that I'm going to attempt to turn into a real planted tank. Probably going to have a lot of dead plants the first few months while I try to figure out what I'm doing.

[richardsville]

Is there a better way to learn??

Just use the Petco specials, you know? Not worth it to try and learn using rare African imports that you spent your life savings on...

Jeff

[snatched]

Well, when you set up your new tank, try out a few plants and let me know what doesn't die, get eaten, or torn up and I'll try it

[richardsville]

It may be awhile before I do that...I am moving to Michigan and selling off my stock. It may be long while before I even attempt to set my tank up again since I will be unemployed and going to school while the wife is tending bar. Not enough $$ to go around with two boys to take care of. They will always come first, you know...So I will just wait for your report...

The type of light you use in the tank is very important...so make sure you look around before you just toss them in...lights that use more red coloring is good for viewing the fish, but won't let the plants live...

Jeff

[snatched]

The whole lighting thing really confuses me so I've kinda avoided looking into it right now.

I'm actually supposed to be umemployed and going to school while my boyfriend bartends but too much stuff is going on right now so I think I'm going to have to jump back into the workforce.

[LBasham41]

I'm not sure what the name of the plants are but I bought the bulbs from walmart and 4 out of 6 bulbs grew into beautiful plants. It took about 4 weeks after I put them in to get results but it work. I just started a new 30 gal aquarium and after the plants grow in this one I will post pictures.