| Live plants in a freshwater aquarium will do | | | | like small snails (which will eat the leaves and |
| wonders for your tank by providing oxygen for | | | | become pests in your tank). You may not see |
| the fish, and also food for them. Plants will help to | | | | snails right away. Some people will separate new |
| balance out the pH of the water, and also provide | | | | plants in another container for a few days to see |
| hiding places for your fish. Another plus--added | | | | if snails make an appearance. |
| scenery for you, and beauty for your tank. | | | | Keep your new plants totally submerged in water |
| And--live plants are surprisingly easy to care for. | | | | until ready to plant in your aquarium. When you |
| Consider the types of plants you would like to | | | | plant them in your tank, be sure to anchor them |
| have in your aquarium. Go to your local fish store, | | | | down. Sometimes plants will come loose and you'll |
| or shop on the internet. It's amazing how many | | | | find them floating around. You can anchor the |
| different types of plants you can buy on the | | | | plants down by attaching them to a rock with a |
| internet, and they can be very inexpensive, too. | | | | string until the roots take hold. |
| There's a few things to consider when purchasing | | | | Don't forget to have a good lighting system, both |
| live plants: | | | | for your plants and your fish. Plants will need a |
| The size of your aquarium | | | | good amount of light to thrive, and so do your |
| What do you want your aquarium landscaping to | | | | fish. |
| look like | | | | And fish waste is great fertilizer for your plants. |
| The size you want your plants to be | | | | Keep your tank cleaned on a regular basis, but |
| What type of vegetation you want | | | | plants can be good for helping to keep nitrates |
| Don't forget that the plants you buy will grow. | | | | and ammonias under control. |
| Look at what their actual size will be when they're | | | | And don't forget to have those other necessities |
| their full height and width. Freshwater vegetation | | | | to a health aquarium, like a heater, filter, and |
| types to consider can have lots of leaves, | | | | water circulation. And it might be a good idea to |
| mosses, floaters, fern-like, etc. You might want to | | | | layer your substrate to include sand and gravel. |
| consider whether you want your fish to be able | | | | The gravel would be a good base to anchor your |
| to eat the plant also. | | | | vegetation in, then you top that off with small |
| Plants come in all shapes and sizes. You can find | | | | gravel. |
| dwarf aquarium plants, which only grow an inch or | | | | Clean your tank every other week, keep it free |
| two high, and mix those with much larger, | | | | from algae, and when you vacuum, don't move |
| tree-like plants for great landscaping. | | | | the substrate around too much, because it will |
| Be sure to inspect the vegetation when you buy | | | | disturb the roots of your plants. And you'll have a |
| them. Sometimes unwanted guests can sneak in | | | | happy and healthy aquarium! |