| g live plants to an aquarium does more than just | | | | – a pH of 6.8 to 7.8 is ideal. |
| improve aesthetics – plants provide shelter, | | | | Snails are another natural component that help the |
| food for vegetarian fish, and prevent green water. | | | | overall health of the aquatic environment. Snails clean |
| Plants also soak up carbon dioxide, waste products, | | | | plants of food and small algae, as they crawl over |
| contribute oxygen to the water, and promote the | | | | leaves and foliage. However, some snails can actually |
| growth of algae, tiny worms, rotifers, and protozoa, | | | | cause problems. Ramshorn, pond, and other species |
| providing live food for the fish. | | | | eat the leaves instead of clean them, and can cause |
| Lighting is important if you want your plants to grow | | | | unwanted damage. Luckily, it’s quite easy to |
| successfully. They need 12-14 hours of light each day, | | | | remove troublesome snails. Simply place lettuce |
| just like in nature. Opinions vary concerning how | | | | leaves at the top of the aquarium to attract the |
| much light live plants need, but generally 3-5 watts | | | | snails – remove everything with a net once all |
| per gallon works well. Compact fluorescent bulbs and | | | | the snails have assembled on the lettuce pieces. |
| par 20, 50-watt halogen bulbs both do the job right, | | | | Before placing new plants in your aquarium, rinse |
| so experiment with different types of lighting to find | | | | them thoroughly in warm water to remove any |
| out what works best for your plants. | | | | insects you don’t want invading the aquarium. |
| Plants also require the proper nutrients to stay | | | | Healthy plants have solid roots and firm leaves, so |
| healthy and green. Everything works together in a | | | | this is what you should look for when purchasing |
| well-planned aquarium, so keeping the plants fed | | | | aquatic plants. Avoid plants that give off a strange |
| isn’t a difficult prospect. Nutrients to feed the | | | | smell, especially bulbs, as this is an indication that the |
| plants come from the fish in the tank - you can add | | | | plant is not healthy and may not grow properly once |
| more if needed. Fertilization is easy as well because | | | | placed in your tank. |
| plants are able to naturally use fish waste as fertilizer. | | | | Younger plants generally adjust better to |
| You can add a commercial fertilizer when you change | | | | transplantation, so keep this in mind as well. Although |
| the water, but it’s usually better to follow | | | | the plants you buy will need a period of time to |
| the “less is more” philosophy when it | | | | adjust, and may lose some leaves, don’t be |
| comes to fertilizing your plants. Too much fertilizer | | | | alarmed. This is completely normal. To promote |
| can cause problems with algae growth in the tank, | | | | healthy new growth, just remove dead leaves as |
| and you can always add more if required. | | | | they appear, being careful not to damage the roots. |
| What about water temperature? The majority of | | | | Aquatic plants make a beautiful addition to any |
| aquatic plants thrive in water temperatures between | | | | aquarium and help keep the fish comfortable, healthy, |
| 72f and 78f. The pH of the water is also important | | | | and happy. |