Plantings?

[MedStudent]

Hello!

I have a relatively new 10 gallon tank with five tiger barbs and four bloodfin tetras.  My tank is decorated with some wood, large stones and plastic plants, but I would like to know more about live plants.  It is fairly stable at a pH of about 6.5 and a temp of 74-76F.  I am, as my tag suggests, a med student.  So my problem is this - can I start and maintain plants with a minimum time requirement, or should I just stick to plastic?

I love my tank - it sits next to my desk where I study.  There is nothing more soothing than watching fishies when wrestling with pediatrics or something.

Thanks,
Mary the MedStudent

 

[fishboy]

Welcome Mary,
The fish you have in your tank should do well with live plants, except the barbs bc they will tear you plants to shreds. So i would suggest getting rid of those but, you might be able to pull it off depending on your fish's personality.The parameters seem good but, do you know about the cycling process and Ammonia,nitrIte, and, nitrAte???Plants really do not need a lot of time......... heck i'm 11 and i don't really do much for my plants except fertilizing them nad they are really good looking So you should be able to keep them alive and healthy ;D Here sre some good starters: Valis ,cobomba,java moss, java fern, most anubias, and hygrophilia.

                    Good luck Mary,
                                  Daniel

 

[MedStudent]

Algae!

Well, I think that I've decided against plants.  I've had to spend the last four weeks away from my tank in Maine, doing a family medicine rotation.  I figure if school is going to take me away from my fishtank, I have no business adding more life-forms!  My husband has been caring for the tank, and now it is full of algae.  Erg.  I'm going to go get some algae eaters and hope for the best.

-Med Student

 

[fishboy]

Bummer
Ohwell, maybe when you have more time later you could give it a try                  
                                         Later,
                                            Daniel