bad luck - help

[Destroyallx]

ive been running reallly well with my fresh water community tank of around 7
fish...i had small heater problems...and boom! because of the decrease in
temperature, Ick developed. within 3 days all my fish were dead. so.. im
starting over..
the tank is running solo right now, gravel, filter and a bubbler thats
it.
i was wondering.. should i use real plants, or artificial ones? what would i
be getting into if i used real plants in a freshwater tank?
also, i believe im going to make this a cichlid tank...i want lots of
color. any ideas for really cool fish that have color, work well with more
than one of its own kind, and are easy to keep?
let me know! thanx!!

[Limnophile]

I would go with live plants if you have strong lighting, or if the tank is
near a window. Otherwise, go with artificial. Live plants are easy to take
care of , as long as they get enough light. They increase oxygen levels and
use nitrogenous fish waste as fertilizer, so they help keep the fish
healthy. You should use an aquarium plant fertilizer as directed, and trim
the plants down if they grow too large. Other than that, they are pretty
easy to care for.

Limnophile

"Destroyallx" > wrote in message
...
<snip>
> i was wondering.. should i use real plants, or artificial ones? what would
i
> be getting into if i used real plants in a freshwater tank?

[NetMax]

"Destroyallx" > wrote in message
...
> ive been running reallly well with my fresh water community tank of
around 7
> fish...i had small heater problems...and boom! because of the decrease
in
> temperature, Ick developed. within 3 days all my fish were dead.
so.. im
> starting over.

There might be other factors for your fish to have succumbed to Ich from
a 'small' heater problem. It's good to periodically check your pH and
ammonia/nitrites if running a high fishload or the filters were messed
with. Just random suggestions, quite possibly not applicable to your
case.

> the tank is running solo right now, gravel, filter and a bubbler
thats
> it.
> i was wondering.. should i use real plants, or artificial ones? what
would i
> be getting into if i used real plants in a freshwater tank?

You have to remember to water them ;~) Seriously, for the best success,
strong light and a suitable substrate. Plant a variety and continue on
with the types which do well. It's not too complicated.

> also, i believe im going to make this a cichlid tank...i want lots
of
> color. any ideas for really cool fish that have color, work well with
more
> than one of its own kind, and are easy to keep?
> let me know! thanx!!

Many cichlids are tough on plants, especially the brightest coloured
ones. Offhand, the prettiest cichlids which would leave plants alone
100% are Apistogrammas. It would of course depend on many other details
(tank size, water parameters etc), but some Butterfly Rams might meet
your specs. Then add some colourful mid-top water fish.
--
www.NetMax.tk