Aquarium Plants

Question
QUESTION: I'm starting a new 10 gallon community tank which will have some variety of a female beta, platies, swords, dwarf gourami, barbs, a small school of tetras or a small school of rasboras. I'm still undecided on everything but the beta. I was thinking about putting in live plants instead of fake though to provide adequate hiding places. Are there any you can suggest that would do well for a beginner? I have read that for adequate lighting a glass canopy with 2 bulbs one for sunlight and one for growth will help keep them alive, is this true? Also would it best to plant them while cycling or after? the beta is in there and platies will be during cycling. Some general care info would be great too as I have never done this before and want to do it right the 1st time around. Thanks.

ANSWER: Tiffany,
good plants to start out with would be pygmy swords, crispus, hygrophylla and the like.
You have a large fish population so you should wait untill the cycle is finished, then plant the tank.
run the light cycle 6-8hrs at the onset and go from there.
Get a good full spectrum light and you will be ok.
If you have further questions, just ask

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Since I should plant the tank after cycling during cycling should I just put in fake plants? So the cycling fish have a place to hide and to reduce stress on them?

Answer
you certainly can do that, and as you plant the tank just remove the fake when you plant a real one.
You may want to take the larger plants and pot them, you can get those tiny terra cotta pots from anywhere for pennies.you can hide the pots in the gravel, or behind a rock etc...use the gravel in the tank to hold them in the pot.
you will not need to do this on the small one, but for a larger center piece it make it easier to deal with.
Good luck with the underwater garden..