| Okay, so you have already planted live aquatic plants | | | | substrate. Take care not to put too much, though, |
| for your aquarium, and you are now gazing at a | | | | and always follow the specific instructions provided, |
| visually complete representation of an underwater | | | | especially when it comes to the quantity of fertilizer |
| ecosystem right at your very home. But there | | | | to be used, as well as the time intervals between |
| seems to be something missing... How am I supposed | | | | each "feeding" and the way the fertilizer is applied. |
| to keep this plant afterwards, then? Proper | | | | Partial Water Changing is a Must |
| freshwater aquarium plant maintenance is very | | | | You need to do this to regulate the nitrogen cycle of |
| important, if you don't want to destroy that delicate | | | | the aquarium, because it usually diminishes by a small |
| ecosystem balance. | | | | amount each cycle, until the water composition is no |
| Photosynthesis is Equally Important for Aquatic Plants | | | | longer of any beneficial use for the plants. Try |
| This is not to say that you drag your aquarium out | | | | changing the water by at least 20% of its amount |
| of your house and let it bake under the heat of the | | | | regularly in order to keep the substance cycles in |
| sun. Aquatic plants can survive even with the use of | | | | check. |
| artificial lighting, but knowing how to apply artificial | | | | Check the General Condition of the Plants Regularly |
| lighting can be another thing altogether. As you may | | | | If your plants are growing dead leaves on their |
| have known, certain plants have specific lighting | | | | stalks, then it's just appropriate to remove them to |
| requirements, meaning some can take intense lighting, | | | | propagate their growth. If there are also damaged |
| and some others can't. After knowing their lighting | | | | branches and other obstructions such as snails, then |
| requirements, then you should try to simulate the | | | | you must also promptly remove them from the plant. |
| light of the sun, turn on the light for about 10 to 12 | | | | It's not healthy to keep those obstructions, as this |
| hours straight, turn if off, and then turn it back on | | | | can ultimately limit the growth of your aquatic plant. |
| again the next day, preferably in chronological | | | | Keep the Water Chemistry safe for Plant Growth |
| synchronization with the light of the sun. Also, | | | | Avoid any kind of toxic elements or harmful |
| remember to keep the aquarium well illuminated in all | | | | substances in the water. De-chlorinate the water if |
| areas as possible. | | | | necessary, and avoid simply throwing fish medication |
| Feed your Plants with the Proper Nutrients | | | | into the water, as some of these substances can |
| You can use aquatic plant fertilizers to do this job. | | | | actually be harmful to your freshwater aquarium |
| These fertilizers are mostly conveniently packed into | | | | plants. If possible, separate the fish from the plants in |
| pellets or sold in liquid form, although there are some | | | | a different container while medicating them, and |
| fertilizers combined with laterite clay that you can | | | | avoid using any kind of chemical directly into the |
| use to literally "plant" them into the aquarium's | | | | aquatic plants. |