i missed having live plants for the tank. they provide oxygen, as well as lower harmful nitrites which can be deadly to the fish, if left unchecked.
but, i hated having a full tank of gravel as the food and poop get deep into gravel, and it is difficult to vacuum it all out, with out draining the tank dry.
i had sand, but that was just as bad when cleaning, as now sand gets vacuumed up as well, PLUS it can get into the motors for the filter and power head, which can cause them to stop running, and burn them out.
so, i was thinking of maybe a "planter" in the tank...originally, i thought maybe a drinking glass, then maybe an ash tray (if i can still find those.
so off to walmart i went, into the bathroom section......nope, not even a clear soap dish.
went into the kitchen isle, and found what they call an "organizer"
so for under $3.00, i buy that, and off i then go to the pet store.
got a java fern, and a gold ribbon, and a white ribbon plants. (frankly, i do not see any "gold" in that plant...
what i was not aware of was that the ribbon plants, were actually 4 plants per container......i thought it was just one.
so, along the back of that "organizer" are the ribbon plants, and in front, the java fern.
then i put in the white gravel that i had, to hold them up right.
now, at the very least, when i go to clean the tank, it will be a much smaller area of gravel to vacuum.
yesterday, the fish were swimming all around and in between the plants, as i caught them doing, before i snapped this picture.
i dunno.....experimentation, after experimentation......
and here is a side view..