Aquarium plants for beginners

It is not hard to understand why plants arekeeping the water quality up. The plants will also
present in so many aquariums. Lush and healthyprovide a home for a wide range of micro
plants are stunning to look at and will create aorganisms that are beneficial for the ecosystem in
much more natural environment in the aquarium.the aquarium. Plants are also capable of inhibiting
Most fish species feel safer and less stressedugly algae growth since plants and algae compete
when they have plants to hide among, and manyover the same nutrients.
species will never thrive in an unplanted aquarium.Many fish species will never spawn in an unplanted
If your fish species inhabit densely grown watersaquarium. Some species need the plants to feel
in the wild, they will feel very insecure in a plantsafe enough to spawn, while others need leaves
without any vegetation. A lot of fish species areto attach their eggs on. A densely planted
however rock dwellers and can get the sameaquarium will also increase the fry survival growth
sense of security from caves and rockyif you wish to raise fry in the same aquarium as
formations in the aquarium. If your fish disturb theadult fish, since the fry will hide among the plants.
plants and damage them by nibbling of the leavesBusy plants with a lot of smaller leaves are ideal
or digging up the roots, caves and wood can be afor this purpose. It should however be noted that
better solution than plants. If uprooting is the mainthere are other ways to provide fry with good
problem, you can choose plants that float and doshelters. Newly hatched fry can for instance hide
not require any anchorage in the substrate. Ifamong larger marbles on the bottom of the
your fish are vigorous plant eaters, artificial plantsaquarium. Caves, roots, stones and artificial
can be used instead of live plants. It can also beaquarium decoration will also give the fry hiding
possible to find a few live plant species that yourplaces where they can stay out of harms way.
fish do not like the taste of. If your fish onlyA plant relies on photosynthesis and light is
nibble on the plants, you can choose strong andtherefore essential to it. A fish only aquarium
fast growing live plants that can tolerate somerequires little light, but if you wish to keep a
snacking.densely planted aquarium you might be forced to
Plants will not only provide your fish with valuableinstall new lights. Fluorescent light is better than
shelters and make your aquarium look beautiful;the standard incandescent light in planted
they will also help you to keep the water qualityaquarium. Some plant species are very demanding
up. Fish and plants coexist in the wild and willin require even stronger light than the fluorescent,
complement each other well in the aquarium. Thebut these species are not recommended for
waste products released by fish will containbeginners. Fluorescent lights are more expensive
compounds that the plants can use as nutrition.than incandescent lights, but fluorescent lights will
Organic waste will therefore be contained withinon the other hand burn cooler and use less
the plant instead of floating around in the waterelectricity. Java Fern and Java Moss are two
where it can harm the fish. You should howeverexamples of suitable beginner species. They are
keep in mind that these compounds will nottough plants that can survive in a wide range of
"disappear", they will just be confined within thepH-values and water hardiness. They can even be
plant. If you allow dead and decaying plantkept in a slightly brackish aquarium, such as a
material to stay in the aquarium, the organicMolly aquarium. Unlike many other aquatic plants,
compounds will be released again and begin toJava Fern should not be planted in the substrate in
pollute the water. Plants must therefore bethe aquarium. Java Fern should instead be
regularly pruned and unhealthy parts must beattached to rock, wood or aquarium decorations
removed from the water as soon as possible. Inwhere it will form roots. Once your have
return for the organic compounds that theypurchased your first Java Fern or Java Moss, the
receive from the fish, the plants will produceplants will propagate themselves. New plants will
oxygen which is essential to the fish. The plantsdevelop on the old plants, and eventually break
will also use dissolved carbon dioxide and therebyoff. You can attach these tiny plants to some
lower the levels of carbon dioxide in the aquarium.type of decoration in the aquarium and wait for
The direct exchange between fish and plants isthem to grow large.
important, but it is not the only thing that help