New to Planting, Please Help

[nghsquad05]

I have two 55 gallon tanks I am looking to add a type of grass and plants into I have had both tanks set up for about a year. Both are doing great and have had no problems so I don't want to mess that up but I want some good plants growing. In one tank I have about 6 African chiclids and the other I have 2 tiger oscars. Does anyone have any advice that would go good with them or just any advice. I currently just have have regular gravel in the bottom of both the tanks and just regular lights they came with. Should I get sand to put on the bottom to help the plants?

 

[tiger terror]

Unfortunately Africans will most likely eat what ever plants you put in there,been there done that...Oscars are prone to redecorating a tank how they see fit&will most in evitabily uproot plants in the substrate&again been there done that with little or no success..

 

[tiger terror]

What Africans do you have? Also Oscars usually demand a min 75g for 1 fish as they grow larger a 55g will become tiny for them with little room to swim&turn around...

 

[nghsquad05]

I am eventually going to get a bigger tank. But I just need something to decorate it and make it no look so blah

 

[tiger terror]

I'd suggest some tall fake plants with some good color...give em something to find cover under or behind..

 

[nghsquad05]

Ok ill try some fake plants as well as real ones to see if they dig the plants up. I am also going to put some rocks in to give them caves. I'm also going to try this idea I saw using PVC to make caves

 

[tiger terror]

I'd try anubius & java fern around the Africans...

 

[nghsquad05]

Ill try that thanks.