TFA101

My tank is going through an extreme makeover, and I want to convert from tacky looking plastic plants to gorgeous live plants. Is there anything i should do or need to do before I make this switch? I have a pH of about 7.0, moderate lighting, livebearers, a clown pleco (who may eat them?), and otos, and a temp of about 75 degrees. Can I go planted? If so, what kind of plants?


**I had couple plants back when I had my black tetras, and the clown pleco never touched them

soldieroffortune1974

Is there anything i should do or need to do before I make this switch?

Buying the plants is a good place to start Removing the plastic plants would be the next step.

After you have achieved those 2 mile stones,put the new live plants in.

Well,1st what type of lights do you have? What type of plants do you like? What type of substrate do you have? Clay is really good for live plants.Most of my substrate is a mixture of sand/gravel/clay If you have an under gravel filter,then sand and clay isn't a good choice.

The easiest plants to get are mosses,they don't require much,look good for a carpet effect,and fish love them.Moss grows fast enough that the fish eating it will help keep you from having to trim it.Moss also doesn't need many nutrient additives (fertiliser)

The second easiest would be lillies,annubis,onions,Lotus,ferns,swords.

These are all relatively low light and easy to care for.No CO2 is required and are fairly hardy.