| I think that it is extremely easy to put someone off | | | | an algae bloom than you are to grow aquarium plants |
| growing live plants in their aquarium. Simply start | | | | successfully. |
| talking about water parameters and watts per gallon, | | | | Just like with gardening, choose the hardy, easy to |
| using the correct substrate, balancing the micro and | | | | grow plants and you can have a thriving planted |
| macro nutrients and pretty soon people are looking | | | | aquarium in around six weeks without adding lights or |
| at you with a glazed expression and quickly giving up | | | | installing a co2 system. Sure you may need to feed |
| on growing any plants in their tank. | | | | them but that is either a liquid feed or adding some |
| But that really isn't the reality of fish tank plants. | | | | laterite to your gravel. Don't panic about the laterite, |
| Think of growing aquarium plants as the same as | | | | if your tank is already set up and has matured a bit |
| growing anything in your garden. Most people could | | | | there is probably enough natural fertiliser in the |
| find out enough to be confident of growing | | | | substrate to support most plant life. |
| something. After all, you don't need green fingers to | | | | Your fish will feed the plants by producing ammonia |
| grow potatoes. Just stick one in the ground and | | | | that will get converted into nitrates. Nitrates are |
| nature will do the rest. | | | | great plant food. After all, algae are plants and I bet |
| You may need to practice a bit before moving on to | | | | you're already growing them successfully. |
| growing orchids. Well aquariums are exactly the same. | | | | So chuck out the artificial plants, get down to the |
| There are plants that will grow quite happily with the | | | | aquarium store and ask them about plants for |
| minimum of light and without too much care. You | | | | beginners. If you're a bit worried, just store the |
| don't need to double the lighting in your aquarium in | | | | artificial plants and throw them away in six weeks |
| order to throw out the plastic and silk impersonators. | | | | when the tank is thriving from your new found skill. |
| If you do, then you are more likely to give yourself | | | | |