I always thought that the more light, the more algae. I keep the tank off
all day when I'm at work, and turn it on at 5PM when I get home... off
around 11 or 11:30 when I go to bed.

I live in a small town and the closest big pet store is 100 miles. I
typically make one or two trips in the summer, never noticed any plants.
Will look when I drive there in spring.


"Zëbulon" wrote
Leave the lights on at least 10 hours a day. Are there no PetsMart or
Superpet stores where you live? Almost any store that sells aquarium fish
sells water plants. Make sure they're not those houseplant cuttings some
unscrupulous places sell. Know what you're buying. :-)