Plants for your fish tank

Talk about multi-tasking! Not only do live plants make an aquarium look great, they absorb fish wastes and carbon dioxide, and produce oxygen for your pets to breathe. They also provide excellent hiding places for fry and the more shy members of your tank. And with live plants in your aquarium,hungry fish can always find something healthy to nibble on.

Adding elodea plant and others

While the idea of adding plants to your set-up may seem intimidating, especially to first-time fishkeepers, it needn't be. There are hardy species that will do well in most aquariums--you will just have to ensure that the plants you select will thrive in the water conditions in your tank. If you have a coldwater tank, Experts recommend Elodea
(commonly called anachris), which can be rooted or allowed to float freely on the surface of the water, Ludwigia natans, eel grass and water star. Popular plants for warmwater tanks include cryptocorynes, Amazon swords, water wisteria and giant hygro, a hardy, fast-growing species that serves well as a background plant. There are many, many more species available, just ask at your aquarium store which ones are appropriate for your set-up. Rooted plants aren't the best match for fish who like to dig, for example.

It's smart to start with a quantity of each of three to four different fast-growing plants. If you're just setting up your aquarium, you can fill the tank about a third of the way and get your plants settled in before adding the rest of the water. You will need to carefully rinse the plants with tap water to remove dirt, dead leaves, and eggs or tiny snails. Trim any long roots, and rest the plants in clean water until you've decided on
a location. It's best to group them in clumps by species, positioning the tallest ones in the back. Now you can dig small holes in the gravel, compact the roots by wrapping them around your fingers, and insert the plants into the holes, pressing the gravel firmly around the roots.

Underwater garden fish tank plants

Wondering how your underwater garden will grow? With the right amount of light, proper nutrients and a fertilizer formulated specifically for aquarium use. Experts recommend 1.5 to 3 watts of fluorescent light per gallon of water; the exact amount will depend on whether your plants do best in low, moderate or bright light. To achieve the proper wattage, you may have to add another blurb to your hood. Plants, like fish, thrive on consistency, so please keep the light on 10-12 hours a day.

If you're thinking that the increased light will lead to an increase in the growth of algae, you're right. You can combat this will algae-eating fish and frequent water changes. And be sure that your tank is not overstocked. As a caretaker of aquatic plants, be patient with your new charges, and allow them time to settle in. If you notice your plants losing their leaves or turning brown, you may have to do a little sleuthing. Are you providing too much light--or not enough? Are you maintaining the proper temperature and pH? Don't hesitate to check with your aquarium store for possible causes and solutions.