Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hornwort is a beast. I had to remove it from my main tank because it was outcompeting everything else. Now it's in my quarantine tank, doing its thing without taking over.

Anyone else start with fake plants and then feel guilty after switching to live ones? My fish seem so much happier now, and the tank looks way better. Wish I'd made the switch sooner.

Guilty as charged. My first tank was a neon gravel nightmare with plastic plants that looked like they were from a dollar store. Live plants were a game-changer. Now I can't even look at fake ones without cringing.

It's not just about looks, either. Live plants help with water quality and give fish places to hide. My Bettas especially love weaving through the stems. It's like they're exploring a little forest.

True. I've noticed fewer algae issues since I went heavy on plants. They outcompete the algae for nutrients, so it's a win-win. Just gotta keep up with trimming and maintenance.

What's the most unexpected plant you've had success with? For me, it's Monte Carlo. I thought it needed high-tech everything, but it's been growing like crazy in my low-tech tank. No CO2, just decent lighting and root tabs.

Dude, same. Monte Carlo is a trooper. I threw some in as an experiment, and now it's taking over. Guess it's not as high-maintenance as everyone says.

For me, it's Red Root Floaters. I heard they were finicky, but they're thriving in my tank. The roots are insane, and my shrimp love hanging out in them.

I've had the opposite experience with Red Root Floaters. They melted within a week in my tank. Maybe my water's too hard. Still trying to figure that one out.

Water parameters can make or break certain plants. My tap water is super soft, so I have to add minerals for some species. It's all about finding what works for your setup.