Moss Phantom
Fake plants to real (please help!)?

Ok so, I have a 20 gallon aquarium with fake plants a 8 Black Phantom Tetras (going to add 5 guppies) and a zebra snail. I want to get rid of the fake plants and get real plants driftwood and rocks but I have a few questions:

Will my snail kill everything (plants), can I have plants and a snail together?

Do I have to put anything in the gravel? I don’t want to take the water o fish out, can I out fertilizer in with water already in the tank?

Can I put driftwood In a tank that’s already set up? if so, what do I have to do to the driftwood to make it safe?

Do I have to get different lighting? I have light from my 60 gallon kit on my 20 gallon.

I want to get plants liike Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus), Moss Balls
(Chladophora aegagropila), Anubias nana, any other good beginner plants?

Will Java Fern be ok with medium light instede of low?

Thanks!
(you don’t have to answer everything, but I do need help)

Oh my, what a mouthful! I’ll answer all of them, to make you happy.

1. Your snails will NOT kill the aquatic plants, as long as they are TRUE aquatic plants (watch out for some plants; they are above ground ones, and are sold at aquarium stores!) However, if you have Pond Snails (usually not in aquarium setting), they WILL eat everything in sight. However, most aquarium snails are apple/mystery snails, etc.

2.You do not have to put any fertilizer in the gravel, unless you are keeping very delicate plants (not recommended.) There are nutrient stakes available at your Local Fish Store, which you can stick near the plants (in the gravel), and it will slowly release nutrients. The naturally occurring Nitrate (not Nitrite, that’s poisonous) in your aquarium will fertilize any plants.

3. Yes, putting driftwood into any aquarium makes a great centerpiece, you do not need to specially prepare it, as long as it was sold for AQUARIUM use. If you are not sure, soak it in a bucket of water for 1 hour, and you can even boil it for 2 minutes if necessary to remove bacteria. Driftwood may stain your aquarium when you first add it, but the carbon will remove the discoloration.

4.Unless the light is too bright, don’t bother. Plants NEED Light! Photosynthesis of plants (oxygen Co2 Exchange) takes place only when there is light. A more powerful light just means… you can add more plants! However, if you find that algae is always occurring, then you should reduce the light.

5.Good Plants that are suitable for almost any aquarist (freshwater) are the Polysperma (Hygro), Wisteria, Java Fern (like you siad), and Java Moss (good for newborn fry, too)

6.Yes, However in high light, its leaves may get burned, plant it in the shade of other plants. The Fern can be attatched to the driftwood with rubber bands; after a month, it will be firmly rooted, remove bands.

Wow, that was indeed a mouthful… Anyways, hope that helped, (and maybe this will be the best answer? Just an idea…)

Good Luck, and Happy Fish (and Plant) Keeping!

AW06 McQ Finale with Kate Moss