What Benefits Do Plants Offer For My Aquarium?
If you are considering adding plants to your aquarium there are three primary reasons for wanting to do so. The first is the psychological benefit for your fish, you will experience more activity from them as they will be more comfortable in their environment. The second reason also can increase the activity of your fish and their health more subtely, by aiding your filter to complete the nitrogen cycle. Thirdly and finally, many people enjoy adding plants to their aquarium for aesthetic reasons.
There are however a couple of things to consider before you start planting in your aquarium. The basic needs of your aquarium plants are water (which they obviously will already have) and then also light and nutrition. The amount of light needed by your plants is determined largely by their species. If you are a beginner to a planted aquarium, I recommend you start off by using Java Moss, Java Fern and Anubias. These plants only require moderate amounts of light and it is more likely you be successful with them.
To work out how much light they will need, take the volume of water in your aquarium. Now times that amount by 1.5, this will tell you the amount of light needed by these two plants. Species such as Indian Fern, Waterweed and Water Wisteria are also good aquarium plants, but require a larger amount of lighting to be kept successfully. It is also important to note that the intensity of light is important to your plants, for example one light at 36 watts will encourage growth better than two lights at 18 watts.
The subtrate your plants will grow in is also extremely important to their growth. A good substrate has a high Cation Exchange capacity. This is the ability to absorb nutrient ions and “hold on” to those nutrients. There are many decent brands of substrate avalible such as Fluroite which will greatly help your plant growth. A fine layer of either gravel or sand to top off the substrate will help hold it in place.
The only thing left to consider now is the nutrients your plants will need. Micronutrients such as iron, copper and calcium are only required in trace amount, if adding additional nutrients to the water bear in mind too much can be harmful to them. Macronutrients are nutrients such as sulfates and nitrates, which are needed in large amounts. Carbon dioxide is very important to your plant growth and if you have too many plants your fish alone will not be able to supply enough to them. A somewhat expensive alternative to this are carbon dioxide tablets. if you use these you must be aware levels higher than 5-15 ppm of Co2 can be dangerous to fish.
Almost any filtration system is suitable for growing plants. Aerators may reduce levels of carbon dioxide if used excessively and may need to be avoided.
Sean Norman is a fish enthusiast who also keeps terapins. More relevant information about the author and this article may be found by Clicking Here
