While artificial plants are certainly plentiful, there are numerous advantages to adding live plants to your aquarium. Perhaps the biggest benefit is the supply of oxygen. Oxygen is essential to the biological system of your aquarium’s inhabitants. Through the process of photosynthesis, live plants utilize carbohydrates from inorganic substances, such as carbon dioxide and water, and release oxygen as a by-product. This creates a symbiotic relationship: the fish produce waste, which the plants feed on, while the plants return the favor by providing oxygen for the fish. This mutual benefit is advantageous for both the plants and the fish.
Maintaining Healthy Live Plants in Your Aquarium
When planning to add live plants to your aquarium, it’s important to understand that live plants generally do not thrive in newly established aquariums. This is because nitrates—a substance plants use in the photosynthesis process—are typically low in newly set-up tanks.
To keep your live plants healthy, you’ll need to monitor them for any signs that they require nutrient additives. As your tank matures, the plants will gradually deplete the available nitrates. They will also need iron for healthy growth. By observing the color of your plants, you can tell whether they need additional nutrients. For example, if green plants begin turning yellow, they may be showing signs of iron deficiency. A good plant additive will contain phosphates, iron, nitrates, and other nutrients that will help your plants stay healthy and thrive.
Lighting is another essential element in the photosynthesis process and is necessary for both healthy fish and live plants. If you have a planted aquarium, it’s recommended to maintain a 10 to 12-hour light cycle. The strength of the lighting you need will depend largely on the size of your aquarium. However, a general guideline is to use two watts of lighting per gallon to ensure sufficient plant growth.
Water hardness and pH levels should also be monitored in an aquarium with live plants. Water hardness refers to the level of minerals in the water, with levels ranging from hard (high minerals) to soft (low minerals). You can use a simple test kit to measure water hardness. Most tropical plants thrive in water with a hardness level of 8 degrees or less.
The pH level indicates the potential of hydrogen in the water, ranging from acidic (low) to alkaline (high), or neutral. You’ll need to measure the pH level according to the specific types of plants in your aquarium. Generally, plants do well in water that is slightly below neutral to slightly above neutral. Test kits are available to help you monitor the pH levels of your water.
When it’s time to plant your live plants, there are several techniques to consider, depending on the species you’re using. Plants that require a substrate should be combined with coarse sand or fine gravel. Some plants will grow roots without a substrate, while others will even attach to rocks. Knowing the specific needs of the plant species you’re using is crucial.
Plants should be removed from their bunch, and each strand should be planted separately. Pull the leaves down to the section where they connect to the stem first. This will allow the stem to develop roots. After this, you can either plant the stems in the substrate for them to sprout, or allow them to float in the aquarium for a few days to encourage root growth.
For bare root plants, follow the same procedure as you would for outdoor plants. Make a hole in the substrate large enough to accommodate the roots. Gently place the roots in the hole, spreading them out, and cover them with just enough substrate to keep them from floating away. Be careful not to push the crown of the plant below the surface, as this could damage it. If you are using species that root on rocks, you can attach the plant base to the rock with a bit of fishing line. Once the plant roots are securely attached, carefully snip away the fishing line.
