Plant noob-Vallisneria Q's

[meanbestorque]

Okay so I'm total noob to plants. One of my friends, is fairly experienced however, sometimes I would like a second opinion (or third or fourth, the more the merrier). Anyway, I want to create a sort of biotope for my Malawi setup. I got the rocky setup, but wanted to add plant matter to further legitimize the Malawi theme. I hear that Vallisneria is the only commercially available plant for a Malawi biotope (correct me if I'm wrong). My friend said that if I have plants in my aquarium, it would virtually eliminate the need for airstones, or to oxygenate the water because the plant will take over this duty, is this true? Question 2: Vallisneria, to my understanding, are able to withstand moderate water current, so would it be okay to keep the airstones in there anyway?

 

[Knowdafish]

No, maybe, yes

 

[Ullopincrate]

valls. will survive the high ph and water hardness of an african cichlid tank. I dont' know what size tank you are talking of but I doubt you can get enough plants to eliminate an air pump. AC tanks aren't good plant tanks. Airstones won't bother valls in the slightest.
Other plants to consider are Java moss(Vesicularia dubyana), java fern Microsorium pteropus) and maybe (Riccia fluitans)

 

[t0p_sh0tta]

My friend said that if I have plants in my aquarium, it would virtually eliminate the need for airstones, or to oxygenate the water because the plant will take over this duty, is this true? Question 2: Vallisneria, to my understanding, are able to withstand moderate water current, so would it be okay to keep the airstones in there anyway?

Plants won't oxygenate the water to any appreciable degree. Vals are an easy plant and will do well in hard water. Do you use a filter on this tank? I always recommend as much flow as possible to prevent dead areas in the tank.

 

[meanbestorque]

No, maybe, yes

ummm... 3 answers? i only had 2 questions. Thanks anyway, I'll take this into consideration.

valls. will survive the high ph and water hardness of an african cichlid tank. I dont' know what size tank you are talking of but I doubt you can get enough plants to eliminate an air pump. AC tanks aren't good plant tanks. Airstones won't bother valls in the slightest.
Other plants to consider are Java moss(Vesicularia dubyana), java fern Microsorium pteropus) and maybe (Riccia fluitans)

I understand Vallisneria will tolerate high pH/gh. So, I should run an airstone regardless... FYI, my tank is a 30 gal growout.

Plants won't oxygenate the water to any appreciable degree. Vals are an easy plant and will do well in hard water. Do you use a filter on this tank? I always recommend as much flow as possible to prevent dead areas in the tank.

Thanks for the input but don't all tanks have filters?