Should I plant live plants in my aquarium?

Hello, I am very new to fish keeping, probably my first time. Pardon my English as well. I am currently keeping 1 common pleco and 2 Three-spot gourami in a 30 gallon tank.

The purpose of getting some live plants is to try reduce my nitrate level, possible food source for my very shy fishes and viewing purpose. My aquarium does not have lightning source of its own, but it gets a few hours of direct sunlight in the early morning, and possible indirect sunlight throughout the day. I have few questions:

1) Is sunlight in the morning enough for these plants without lightning on the aquarium?

2) I am aware of the plants shedding dead leaves, so I need to remove them as soon as I see one. But it is also another reason of my hesitation to get them. How much will live plants help in controlling wastes?

3) Are Java Ferns and Hornworts ideal for my fishes? I am planning to get a driftwood to add into my tank soon.

 

1. Sunlight itself might be enough lighting for plants, but you're going to get algae.

2. Every plant can or will melt initially, but will grow new leaves overtime. Depending on the type of plants you're keeping, some will significantly help absorb wastes and some will barely absorb it.

3. Java fern and hornwort are one of the easiest plants to grow.

 

First of all, the common pleco can grow very large and I believe needs 120+ gallons. I'd suggest exchanging it for a clown or bristlenose pleco, as these are smaller and better for an aquarium your size.

Next, natural sunlight may promote algae. That aside, I think it may be possible to maybe have it support some plants like 'crypts', anubias, and possibly also java fern as you mentioned. As for hornwort, I would avoid it as it seems to desire plenty of light to grow large. It may grow, just very slowly. Also, if it dies, it will be a mess.

Crypts, anubias, and java fern likely won't shed much unless they outright die. Hornwort, though, will make a mess.
In terms of helping with waste, java fern, anubias, and crypts are mostly column feeders, so yes they should help with nitrates.
As for if they're ideal, I'd say it's really going to be more aesthetic than necessary for your fish. Gouramis aren't shy fish to my knowledge.

 

Different types of floating plants like duckweed, frogbit, and water lettuce will help. Also making sure you are not feeding to much and vacuuming out uneaten food.

Your best bet for plants that grow under water would be java fern or java moss. You may be able to grow other plants but hard to be certain because of the variables with how much sun is actually hitting the glass.

 

First of all, the common pleco can grow very large and I believe needs 120+ gallons. I'd suggest exchanging it for a clown or bristlenose pleco, as these are smaller and better for an aquarium your size.

Next, natural sunlight may promote algae. That aside, I think it may be possible to maybe have it support some plants like 'crypts', anubias, and possibly also java fern as you mentioned. As for hornwort, I would avoid it as it seems to desire plenty of light to grow large. It may grow, just very slowly. Also, if it dies, it will be a mess.

Crypts, anubias, and java fern likely won't shed much unless they outright die. Hornwort, though, will make a mess.
In terms of helping with waste, java fern, anubias, and crypts are mostly column feeders, so yes they should help with nitrates.
As for if they're ideal, I'd say it's really going to be more aesthetic than necessary for your fish. Gouramis aren't shy fish to my knowledge.

I am constantly monitoring algae growth, hopefully I didnt miss any.

My Gouramis get very nervous whenever I get close to the aquarium. They look fine looking from afar, but when I get close to feed it. They will sometimes swim around rapidly, one of them even push and stuff itself into the rocks. Could it be caused by rising levels of ammonia? (0.5ppm) Am planning to do a 25% water change today.

 

I am constantly monitoring algae growth, hopefully I didnt miss any.

My Gouramis get very nervous whenever I get close to the aquarium. They look fine looking from afar, but when I get close to feed it. They will sometimes swim around rapidly, one of them even push and stuff itself into the rocks. Could it be caused by rising levels of ammonia? (0.5ppm) Am planning to do a 25% water change today.

If the gouramis are nervous then yes, maybe some plant cover would be nice to them. I'm personally not too familiar with them so maybe I'm wrong about their temperament.
I doubt it's from the ammonia honestly. I've had shockingly high levels of ammonia in with fish (by accident) and had them act no different. Are the fish new? Maybe they just need to adjust.

 

uckweed, frogbit, and water lettuce will help. Also making sure you are not feeding to much and vacuuming out uneaten food.

Your best bet for plants that grow under water would be java fern or java moss. You may be able to grow other plants but hard to be certain because of the variables with how much sun is actually hitting the glass.

I will definitely look into these floating plants. I always underfeed my fishes (Underfeed or none) whenever the ammonia level rises. Am I doing this right?

I live in an asian country so it's 365 days summer.

If the gouramis are nervous then yes, maybe some plant cover would be nice to them. I'm personally not too familiar with them so maybe I'm wrong about their temperament.
I doubt it's from the ammonia honestly. I've had shockingly high levels of ammonia in with fish (by accident) and had them act no different. Are the fish new? Maybe they just need to adjust.

Yes, pleco and one of the gourami only two weeks, and another is just two days into the tank. How long do fishes adjust into a new tank?

 

Yes, pleco and one of the gourami only two weeks, and another is just two days into the tank. How long do fishes adjust into a new tank?

Fish can take awhile to adjust into a new tank. It can be a few weeks to a month or so. If the water is clean they should inevitably adjust. Just be gentle around the tank and make it apparent you feed them and they should be fine.

 

Unforunatly the reason for your nitrates are the common pleco. It’s a waste producer! Also can grow to 14” and will grow to at least 8” in that tank. So to keep the nitrates down you will need a lot of filtration.
Never grew plants in sunlight and a few hours really won’t do it. Even anubias need 8hrs of light. Not the brightest but still light.

 

Yes, pleco and one of the gourami only two weeks, and another is just two days into the tank. How long do fishes adjust into a new tank?

I've had my adult Three Spot Gourami over a year and he still hides from me. Some fish just never do warm up to movement around the tank.
30 is a little on the small side to keep adult Three Spot Gourami and as they age can become quite aggressive (even females).

 

If you want nitrogen reducing, stick with plants above the water column - floating plants or pothos, where leaves grow out of the water.

Low light plants will do fine in an unlight aquarium as long as they receive enougb ambient light.