Have you ever seen a pond or lake without plants in it? Probably not. That’s why most aquarium setups have some types of aquatic plants in them. They not only add to the visual pleasantness of the aquarium, they also provide a valuable service in keeping algae down and your water aerated – not to mention providing a place for the fish to “hide" and escape too.
* All aquatic plants need a good base to grow from – just the same way your tomato plants in your garden need good soil to grow. Most people make the mistake of thinking just any type of gravel will suffice only to find their plants dieing out in a few short months. A good base for your plants should include about one-quarter to a half inch of low-calcium gravel that should be available at your local pet shop. This helps the plants to take root and anchors them to the bottom of your tank
* You may also want to add a bit of iron to your gravel mixture as well. You should be able to pick up some pellet-formed iron clays at your pet supply center and mix it in with the regular gravel. The good news is not only does it help the plants but also controls algae breakouts!
* All plants need nutrients to survive, even under water. The good news is that most of the nutrients your plants need will come from the water itself. Most aquariums have nitrates in the water from waste and other breakdown of plant and animal matter. Plants just love this stuff – yet another benefit of adding some aquatic plants to your tank!
* Remember in science class you studied how if a plant is deprived of light it will die? Well, the same is true in your aquarium. Now don’t go placing your tank in direct sunlight where it will boil the water, but do consider adding some extra bulbs to your aquarium lighting if you have a lot of aquatic plants. The second part of the light equation is Carbon Dioxide, but the good news is fish give this off the same as humans do. Unless you have a heavily planted tank the Carbon Dioxide from your fish will be more than enough to help your plants do their best.
* When purchasing plants for your tank it is important to read about what type of environment they need in terms of pH and temperature. You want to match up your plants to the environment that your tropical fish thrive in. There are a number of handbooks that guide you through the different requirements of plants, as well as tell you what plants are more suitable for specific species of tropical fish.
You will find that aquatic plants will make your aquarium look better and also provide a better habitat for your fish to live in. They not only provide decoration but also provide several necessary functions to help keep your tank ecosystem performing well.
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