Guide
Live plants vs fake plants
Pros and cons for water quality, algae, and maintenance.
- Live: better water quality, oxygen, cover; need light and sometimes fertilizer.
- Fake: no maintenance; choose smooth, fish-safe designs.
- Mixing both is fine; match plant choice to your light and routine.
Live plants: benefits
Live plants take up nitrate and phosphate, add oxygen, and give fish cover and spawning sites. They can reduce green water and algae by competing for nutrients and light. Many species are easy: java fern, anubias, hornwort, and floating plants like duckweed or salvinia. You may need a suitable substrate and fertilizer for heavy growers.
Fake plants: benefits
Plastic or silk plants need no light, CO₂, or trimming. They don’t die or melt, so they’re good for beginners or low-maintenance tanks. Choose smooth, fish-safe designs — sharp edges can tear fins. Rinse and dust them during water changes.
Which to choose?
Live plants improve water quality and look natural but need some care (light, nutrients, possible algae). Fake plants are zero maintenance but don’t filter the water. You can mix both: a few easy live plants plus silk or plastic for extra cover. For community tanks, both work; shy fish appreciate either for hiding.
Keep learning
Stable aquariums come from consistent testing and patient stocking. Continue with our water parameters guide, how to cycle a tank, and combining fish safely. For logging and strip scans, see App-aquatic.
Log parameters, scan strips offline, and run stocking checks with App-aquatic.
Get the free appLive plants: benefits?
Live plants take up nitrate and phosphate, add oxygen, and give fish cover and spawning sites. They can reduce green water and algae by competing for nutrients and light. Many species are easy: java fern, anubias, hornwort, and floating plants like duckweed or salvinia. You may need a suitable substrate and fertilizer for heavy growers.
Fake plants: benefits?
Plastic or silk plants need no light, CO₂, or trimming. They don’t die or melt, so they’re good for beginners or low-maintenance tanks. Choose smooth, fish-safe designs — sharp edges can tear fins. Rinse and dust them during water changes.
Which to choose?
Live plants improve water quality and look natural but need some care (light, nutrients, possible algae). Fake plants are zero maintenance but don’t filter the water. You can mix both: a few easy live plants plus silk or plastic for extra cover. For community tanks , both work; shy fish appreciate either for hiding.
More guides · Plant fertilizer · Substrate · Green water · App-aquatic