What's a planted tank...?

[Bridish05]

I keep hearing about 'planted' tanks...yet I haven't the slightest idea what a planted tank is...could someone just clear that up for me?

 

[The Cable Guy]

A tank where live plants are grown in addition to any livestock kept.

 

[Bridish05]

ooooooooh ok...I have live plants growing in my tank would that make it planted...?

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Yeah, it would make it planted.

 

[Pure]

That term is used very loosely. Normally when someone says "my tank is planted" I tend to think of a tank with a lot more than just a couple of plants. Heavily planted makes me think of an out right jungle in the tank.

 

[Bridish05]

yeah I only have a few live plant bulbs that are in the process of growing

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

yeah I only have a few live plant bulbs that are in the process of growing

lol. did you get them from wal-mart? i did... mine never grew.

 

[Bridish05]

yeah I got them from walmart...darn it all...that's upsetting, it probably doesn't help that my plecos find them good to suck on...

 

[silver dollars]

I asked that same question(or thought of asking) about the planted tanks! I felt kinda dumb*celebrate *DRUMMER*

 

[fishlover1]

Bridish05, 2 plecos in a 10 gallon tank is not good!

do you know what kind of plecos you got??

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Bridish, 2 plecos aren't going to fit in your 10g for long, not even one would fit. If you give your LFS your plecos, you could try to get a group of 3 corys.

 

[fish outa wata]

I actually had walmart bulbs grow and they are going still after about 6 months. I love having live plants in my aquarium, oh and teh plants also love them.
I actually read recently that common plecos aren't suitable in planted tanks when they reach a certain size.

 

[fishlover1]

i think they would be suitable if you dont mind your plants getting eating by it.

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

plecs arent realy suited to a ten gallon, and the reason people say big plecs are bad in planted tanks is because they can get huge, and are like tanks, and pull up plants while swimming on the bottom.

 

[Mangoman]

Plecos are one of the best algae eaters for the glass and for certain plants but they will completely tear up amazon swords in particular, even very small plecos. They're really good on anubias, better than Amano shrimp.

I keep them until they get too big and trade out for smaller ones at the lfs. Biggest I've had is about 8-9 inches in a 55 or 75 gal, but no amazon swords in those tanks.

It's fun having someone studying your tank really close and suddenly jump back when a big one comes out from hiding.

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Mangoman, Once plecos get older, most stop eating algae. Otos are the good algae eater, never stop eating algae.

 

[Bridish05]

Wow....I never knew about the traumas of plecos....lol...hm...maybe I should take them back now...

 

[fishtrap]

Wow....I never knew about the traumas of plecos....lol...hm...maybe I should take them back now...

Especially if you're planning on plants I gave my pleco away as it would dislodge most of my small plants with it's tail blast! Never touched my amazon swords though...

 

[Bridish05]

yeah....one of my plecs killed 2 of my fish yesterday... *sad*

 

[Zman16]

I wish someone would take back my danios.....