Basic Aquarium Plant Care
Most people who purchase an aquarium do so for their visual appeal. People are known to spend more money in the decoration of their tanks and fish tank. It's a good idea when purchasing these decorative pieces that you consider buying pieces that are both rewarding for eyes, but also useful for balancing and maintaining your tank.
Before resorting to plastic green pieces stuck into the sand, consider the use of living plants. Aquatic plants are functional in many respects. More importantly, live plants add oxygen to water and help maintain the chemical water. They also serve as a place where beneficial bacteria can colonize. This bacteria is critical to and aids in the decomposition of waste products in the tank. In general, the use of live plants aids keeping your aquarium clean and healthy while adding a perfect visual effect.
Once the decision to use live plants is made, you should familiarize yourself with how to grow and care for these plants. The key to growing healthy live plants is the balance between the lighting and nutrients in the tank. It is better to use more lighting than what is included with standard hoods. The bulb that comes with a hood is not sufficient to promote the healthy plant growth. When adding extra lighting, be sure to compensate with a nutrient supplement to stimulate plant growth and at the same time, reduce the chance of algae build up. Algae eating fish will make a great addition. Be maintained low levels of algae and plants are not direct damage.
The decision to use live plants should be a primary and steps be taken to prepare the tank for later use. It is suggested to add all your plants in the beginning and let it set. In this way, you eliminate the possibilities of using algae nutrients added and additional lighting. Fast plant growth are recommended, as well as some floating plants. Certain types of fish, a catfish, like to seek shelter from direct light. The floating plants will allow this escape for the fish and add a nice effect to the design and decoration of the aquarium.
Once your plants are established and growing well, add the fish of your choice and enjoy a beautiful tank. While keeping live plants in the tank, it is important to take care of them as you would any another plant. Always remove decaying leaves as they tend to drain the nutrients from the healthy part of the plant. Dying roots will rot beneath the gravel. Sure to remove any part of the plant that is dying or appears diseased. Many plants that are planted in the ground to reproduce. The new plant growth can be removed and planted elsewhere in the aquarium. If you are using a live plant that is primarily a stem plant, try to remove the lower leaves. These low leaves tend not to get the amount of light necessary to stay healthy.
The use of live plants will definitely help to create a masterpiece aquarium that is pleasing to the eye and is an environment happy and healthy for your fish. Always remember to clean your aquarium on a regular basis and inspect plants weekly for decay. Scheduled maintenance is the key to maintain a beautiful and healthy aquarium.
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