Choosing Aquarium Live Plants

Adding live plants to an aquarium is a wonderful way to add color, beauty and cover for the fish. They also help keep the tank clean and improve the overall health of the aquarium. Whether you are using plants in the foreground of your aquarium or a tall seaweed forest in the background, there are many different species that you can choose from. The type of plants you choose should depend on the size of your tank and your aquarium design goals. There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing aquarium live plants, including water temperature, light requirements and how they can be propagated.

One of the most common aquarium plants is Java moss. This fast-growing green plant is easy to care for and can be used in the foreground or background of your aquarium. It is very hardy and can withstand most conditions, including dimly lit tanks. However, it does require routine fertilization. Fertilizers are available in liquid, tablet and substrate form and should be used as directed by the manufacturer.

Another popular aquarium plant is Ludwigia repens (Pineapple plants). This beautiful aquatic perennial is native to Australia and New Zealand and grows into a lush, green carpet that will spread quickly in the foreground of your aquarium. It is also a good plant to use in the background of larger tropical fish tanks because it grows long branches that provide excellent cover for the fish. It can be propagated by cutting the runners that grow off of a healthy mature plant and placing them in a new tank. The plant will soon root and become a new full-grown plant.

It is important to remember that these are “true aquatic” plants and cannot be allowed to dry out. If they are moved to a dry area for any length of time they will be severely damaged and may die. They should always be transferred to and from the aquarium in water. The easiest way to do this is to place the plant in a small container of water until it roots and then transfer it to the tank.

All aquarium plants need three things to thrive: sufficient lighting, the right substrate and carbon dioxide. Lighting simulates the positive effects of sunlight on photosynthesis and is crucial to plant growth. The deeper the tank, the more powerful the lighting system required. The substrate keeps the plants anchored in the water and provides a fertile space for root growth. Generally, a fine gravel or specially designed terracotta substrate works best.

Carbon is vital to plants for photosynthesis and can be found naturally in the aquarium from fish waste and organic decomposition. It is also possible to provide additional carbon through the use of a CO2 generator. However, this should be done carefully as too much carbon can actually stunt the growth of some plants.

Aquarists often add Marimo balls to their aquariums for a colorful, unique look. This unique spherical marine algae is a classic decoration in Japan and northern Europe. It is also a popular decoration for the home aquarium because it is easy to care for and grows quickly.