Live plants
Almost all fresh water aquariums can have live plants. In fact, it's
healthier for the tank and its inhabitants. There are lots of hardy fairly
cheap aquarium plants that do well for almost everyone. Some of the
benefits of live plants are that they:
1. Extra filtration - they take up ammonium, nitrates, and phosphates, and
can even absorb other undesirable substances from aquarium water.
2. Produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide when the aquarium is illuminated
and the plants are healthy.
3. Provide natural shelter for fish, particularly fry, thereby reducing
stress and supporting natural behaviour. Plants also provide hiding places
for species that are being picked on by other tank inhabitants.
4. Provide the main focal point of the aquarium. They just look nice!
Planting Tips
Use groups of plants in your set-up. It is better to have larger groups of
certain species than to have lots of species that look lost next to each
other.
Try to aquascape your plants according to their growth habits. Taller plants
should be placed at the rear and shorter plants towards the front. Try to
place plants according to their light requirements. For example, plants preferring
lower light levels can be planted in the shade of higher light-preferring
species. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. It does make it nicer
for you to see the plants that way. But, that's not necessarily how it would
look in nature.
Remember the 'adult' size of plants. Plants grow and should be given the
room and proper placement when they are first planted in the aquarium.
Don't put gravel between the stems of a plant that grows from a crown.
Choose faster growing species of plants when first starting your tank. Plants
can be one of the best algae prevention strategies. They will compete with
the algae for nutrients and light.
Commonly Sold Counterfeit Aquarium Plants
There are several plants sold to the beginning hobbyist that are not aquatic,
and will eventually melt in the tank. Some are bog plants and some are even
house plants! Avoid these at all costs. The following is a list of
several that I have found.
umbrella pine, ground pines/club mosses (Lycopodium), Chinese evergreen, pongol
sword, aluminum plant (Pilea cadairei), crinkle (Hemigraphis), green or red
hedge, underwater palm, spider plant (Chlorophytum), arrowhead (either Syngonium
{houseplant} or Sagittaria {bog}, sandriana, green dragon plant (Dracena
sanderana) -- tall corn-like stalk, dark green sword-like leaves with white
edges, mondo grass, fountain plant (Ophiopogon japonicus), Japanese rush
(Acorus gramineus), Brazil sword, Borneo swords (Spathiphyllum sp.), scarlet
hygro/dragon flame/alligator weed (Alternanthera sessilis and other sp.)
Recommended Beginner Plants
Most of the following species should be easy to find at local pet stores
and are good to start with since they don't require high lighting and quite
easy to care for.
Vallisneria:
Different species have different heights. You can easily find ones that will
fit into your aquarium. They don't require high light and can grow in most
water types.
Hygrophila:
Prefer bright light, tolerate wide range of water conditions, rapid growing,
suitable for mid to rear of aquarium.
Bolbitis (African Water Fern):
Grows attached to rocks or wood. Likes growing in a current but will adapt
to fairly still water. Takes all water types.
Microsorum (Java Fern):
Several varieties including long and short types and 'Windeløv'. Tolerate wide range of lighting and
water conditions. It can be a slow grower. Attaches to driftwood or rocks.
Anubias:
Many varieties of this are found. Almost impossible to kill. Another plant
that attaches to driftwood or rocks. Don't bury the roots as this will make
them rot.
Cryptocoryne:
I find this to be a hit or miss plant for beginners. A really good beginner
variety is wendtii.
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