| Many aquarium keepers think that a planted | | | | nutrition to survive, but some plants are more |
| aquarium is much more difficult to maintain than | | | | demanding than others. The sturdy plant species |
| an unplanted one, but live plants will actually help | | | | mentioned above can be kept in an ordinary |
| the aquarium owner with the maintenance work | | | | aquarium with only standard aquarium light, no |
| by having a beneficial influence on the water | | | | added carbon dioxide and no fertilization. |
| quality. | | | | If you choose plants that are native to clear |
| A well-planted aquarium can also reduce stress in | | | | waters or plants that grow close to the surface in |
| fishes and make them more prone to spawning. | | | | very sunny regions of the world, they can require |
| Many common fish diseases will primarily attack | | | | very powerful lights, such as fluorescent bulbs or |
| stressed fish, and providing your aquarium | | | | metal halide. Between these two extremes you |
| inhabitants with a safe and restful environment | | | | will find the moderately demanding plant species |
| that is similar to their native home is therefore a | | | | that need roughly twice as much light as the |
| very wise decision. | | | | standard light in an aquarium. |
| There are however many fish species that should | | | | A common recommendation for moderately light |
| not be kept with plants since they will destroy | | | | demanding plant species is 20W for each square |
| them. There are also many fish species that will | | | | foot of tank surface area, or 2W per gallon of |
| feel more at home in an aquarium decorated with | | | | water. These recommendations are however |
| rocks and caves, or empty sea shells, than with | | | | quite vague and the only way to find out exactly |
| plants. (You can of course combine live plants, | | | | how much your particular plants need is of course |
| rocks and empty sea shells in the same setup.) | | | | to research each plant species. |
| If you are a beginner aquarium keeper, or have | | | | The necessary amount of light will also be |
| not kept live plants before, you should ideally | | | | affected by other factors, such as how densely |
| begin with sturdy plant species such as Java Fern | | | | planted your aquarium is and how far down the |
| or Amazon sword. These plants can adapt to a | | | | light has to penetrate. |
| wide range of different water conditions, which | | | | As mentioned above, all plants need light, carbon |
| means that you can place them in most | | | | dioxide and nutrition to survive and if you adjust |
| aquariums regardless of exact temperature, pH | | | | one of these three factors you will often need to |
| and hardiness. | | | | adjust the other two as well. Never add extra |
| They are also sturdy enough to withstand nibbling | | | | light without first finding out if you need to add |
| fishes, and if a plant becomes uprooted by a | | | | more nutrients and/or carbon dioxide to the |
| digging fish it is usually not a catastrophe for the | | | | water as well. |
| plant. If your fishes are very fond of digging, you | | | | Carbon dioxide and nutrients are naturally |
| can instead opt for floating plants or plants that | | | | produced by your fish, but for some plants |
| can be attached to aquarium decoration instead | | | | species this is not enough and they will need |
| of being planted in the substrate. | | | | additional carbon dioxide and/or fertilizers to be |
| All plants will need light, carbon dioxide and | | | | able to fully benefit from the increased light. |