Aquarium Plant

The 6 Basic Requirements for Your Freshwater Aquarium Plant

A freshwater aquarium plant is just like your fish; it needs care. Some people opt not to have any of them, but my advice would be that if you can, you should make it part of your water tank. This is for several reasons. The first is that sometimes, you may have nitrite buildups in you tank. A live plant will take care of any excess nitrites that have been converted into nitrates. The second is that the plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, which means that it is a source for continuous aeration of your tank. The third and final one is that a plant will make your tank look livelier and prettier – you can use it to build a tank that’s much more beautiful, and as it grows and changes, your tank will keep looking better and better.

When it comes to care, there are some basic things that you must do for your plant so that it can continue to thrive. Before we get into what you should do, it’s important to mention that the kind of freshwater aquarium plant you choose matters. If you choose a freshwater aquarium plant that grows too fast, it will soon overshadow everything in your tank. If you choose a plant that needs too much light, it will never grow and end up stunted. Also, if you choose a plant that may be preyed upon by the fish, you will soon have nothing left.

On to the care. You need to make sure that you do the following:

1. Before you introduce any plant into your tank, inspect it carefully for snails. Snails are not a bad thing for your fish tank, but they multiply rapidly. You will soon have a pest problem, especially because they are feeding off the freshwater aquarium plant.
2. You need to also make sure that you look at the habitat of each plant that you choose. This means that you need to know what kind of water pH they can survive in and if it matches that of the fish, the hardness levels and the amount of light they need to grow well. As much as possible, choose a mix that has similar habitats so that its easy for you to provide it – it’s hard to make many variations in a small tank.
3. You need good substrate – it should provide the necessary nutrition, and if the plant needs to be rooted, it should provide a firm rooting. Some plants will do ok if they are placed directly on gravel, but as many plants need iron to grow, you will need to add an iron supplement once in a while. If you can get planters, they are a great help because the plants root and have an iron supply that you don’t have to supplement.
4. Lighting is important. In a fish tank that does not have live plants, you can get away with dim lighting. A freshwater aquarium plant needs light to synthesize it’s food, so the kind of lighting that you choose will matter.
5. If you have a heavily planted tank, you might want to consider getting a carbon dioxide injector to make sure that all the plants get the proper amount of CO2.
6. When your freshwater aquarium plant grows long, trim it. If it expands too much, separate it and either plant it in other parts of the tank, or take it out completely.

If a freshwater aquarium plant is stressed it will die off just like fish, so make sure that you watch it. A dead plant in your tank will also produce gases as it decomposes which may poison the fish. Make sure to remove any dead plants and floating debris.

About the Author

Robert is an experienced aquarist, who owns and maintains his and other people’s aquariums. For loads of great tips on freshwater aquarium plant, visit http://www.freshwater-aquariumsecrets.com

325. How to grow aquarium plants. Roots are the most important part. Part 2.

Indoor Hose $14.98 …

Eheim AEH3590050 Plant Tongs $23.94 Eheim Plant Tongs are spring-action tongs with a trimmer and are ideal for general plant maintenance, as well as other purposes….

TDS Water Tester for Reverse Osmosis, Aquarium and Science Projects $29.99 This is a professional quality TDS meter with an extra large measurement range, ideal for reverse osmosis, aquariums, hydroponics and general water quality testing. The large measurement range allows you to measure the concentration of fertilizers and water conditioners and makes this an important tool for every hydroponics grower. Optimum fertilizer conditions will allow for better plant growth a…

Instant Ocean Fancy Plant Mat Springeri-Green $8.37 Fancy Plant Mats Plastic Plant FancyPlants are natural-looking aquarium decorations that fish readily swim through for shelter and protection the same way they swim through live plants. They are easily cleaned under running water, and come with multi-position anchoring bases and suction cups. They snap together to fit any tank configuration and can be trimmed easily with a pair of scissors. Easily…

Dive to the Coral Reefs: A New England Aquarium Book [Reading Rainbow: Elementary Level] $39.95 This feature book describes the formation of coral reefs and the many plants and animals that live in and around these underwater communities. LeVar is inspired by the book to learn more about the world of coral reefs, so he dons diving gear and gives viewers a tour of the National Marine Sanctuary, an underwater park in Florida. Viewers also meet a “reef doctor” who shows how he restores life to …

Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats $27.92 Hydrofarm MTPRTC Electronic Heat Mat Temperature Controller Hydrofarm MTPRTC Electronic Heat Mat Temperature Controller Features: Electronic temperature controller for heat mats Provides constant optimum temperatures for specific crops Controls temperature in colder or warmer environments Compatible with all heat mats Optional for Hydrofarm Seedling Heat Mats Illuminated indicator light Three pron…

Bulbrite 50R20PG 50W Plant Grow Reflector Bulb $2.97 50 watt 120 volt R20 Medium Screw (E26) Base Plant Grow Flood Incandescent Bulbrite Light Bulb…

Sunshine Systems LEDGP45 GlowPanel 28 Watt 45 LED Grow Light $118.75 GlowPanel45The GlowPanel 45 uses the latest in LED technology to provide your plants with the perfect blend of light suitable for all stages of growth. From seed to flower to fruit. More than four times the output of the original GlowPanel, the GlowPanel 45 uses only 28 Watts of power and surpasses the output of a 250 Watt HPS. It easily provides five square feet of coverage for your garden. The G…

Starting A Planted Aquarium The Easy Way Do you want to take your freshwater aquarium to the next level? This DVD instructs on the intricacies of being an aquatic gardener. Learn how proper lighting, the inhabitants and correct levels of CO2 can mean a visually stunning and healthy aquarium. With lessons on nutrient rich substrate, aquascaping, pruning, and how to effectively maintain an underwater garden. Watch how to create a stunning…

Bulbrite 60A19PG 60W Plant Grow A Shape Bulb $1.99 60 watt 120 volt A19 Medium Screw (E26) Base Plant Grow Incandescent Bulbrite Light Bulb…