The opportunity to observe fascinating underwater life at home is something that most aquarium enthusiasts dream of. Where to start to create your first aquarium? Certainly by choosing the right tank and aquarium plants that will prove suitable for beginners.
What do you find in the article?
What function do aquarium plants perform?
Plants in an aquarium are extremely important – they not only decorate the tank and give it a unique character, but also play a number of important functions.
First of all, they enrich the ecosystem with oxygen, which is essential for all animals living in the aquarium. Although aerators and filters also play this role, plants will always be an important source of oxygen in any tank. Many plants provide food for fish and significantly enrich their diet. Lush vegetation plays an important role in the well-being of fish and contributes to their proper development. It is the aquarium plants that provide protection for the fry. They also provide shelter and allow exploration of the tank.
As you can see, if we want to provide the best possible conditions for our fish, it is essential to carefully select plants for the aquarium.
What plants for the aquarium for a beginner aquarist?
Keeping plants in excellent condition can be a challenge for those who are just beginning their aquarium adventure. Algae invasion, plant decay or stunted growth can be discouraging and contribute to feelings of frustration. How to avoid this? First of all, choose the right plants for our tank. We can divide aquarium plants into 5 categories:
- Foreground plants – these are usually low species that are placed in the front of the aquarium. Their cultivation is complicated because they need regular fertilization and plenty of light. Most foreground plants are quite demanding. The exceptions to this are the white scroll and the small scroll.
- Secondary plants – they are planted singly in the center of the tank. They grow quickly, so they need a lot of space. The most common species are frogweeds and compacts (cryptocorynes) of medium size – for example, wendt’s compact.
- Tall plants – they look great in the back of the aquarium, as they mask accessories such as the filter or heater. They can be planted in clumps or separately. Low-demanding and simple to grow tall plants are the screw borers.
- Epiphytes – these are plants for the aquarium, which can be attached to decorations or accessories. An example is low anubias – extremely undemanding epiphytes that will be content with low light.
- Floating plants – this is the last type of plants we can have in the aquarium. They are usually distinguished by their high requirements and grow poorly in domestic tanks. The exception is the floating indentation, which easily adapts to new conditions and grows quickly.
Choosing the right substrate and light
Aquarium plants are divided into shade-loving and light-loving plants. When planning the decoration of a water tank, it is worth thinking about which species you will choose to provide the best conditions for them. Shade-loving plants in a well-lit tank will cover themselves with tarnish and algae, while light-loving plants in a dark aquarium will not grow. For beginners, it is not recommended to put plants with different light requirements in one tank.
The second important issue is the choice of substrate – it determines how the plants will develop. What substrate for the aquarium to choose? These can be traditional quartz or marble gravel. The gravel can be enriched with fertilizer, so that the plants will grow better. In order for the root system to develop freely, it is recommended to granulate the substrate at 2-6 mm.
How to plant plants in the aquarium?
Of great importance for the condition of plants is their proper transportation, and then proper preparation for planting. Most often, plants for the aquarium are sold in baskets, which also contain cotton wool. Before planting plants, it is necessary to get rid of the basket – this can be done by cutting the bottom of the basket. If the root of the plant is developed and long, it can be trimmed by 2 cm, which will facilitate acclimatization in the tank. Plants should also be rinsed and cleaned – get rid of any rotten leaves and snails or their eggs.
How to plant plants in the aquarium? Seedlings are easiest to plant when there is a small amount of water in the tank. It is of great importance to maintain proper spacing – the plants grow and put out new leaves. Usually a few centimeters are enough. The planting process itself involves making a small depression, placing the plant in it and digging gently. Epiphytes and mosses are attached with thread.
Artificial plants for the aquarium an interesting alternative
For beginners, artificial plants for the aquarium are an excellent alternative to live cuttings. They do not require as much preparation and are much less time-consuming – they do not need to be pruned and are easy to clean. Although they do not resemble the natural environment for fish, they can provide an attractive hiding place for them. Artificial plants can look so authentic that it is difficult to distinguish them from live ones. They are sure to be an original decoration of our tank.
Elliot S. Radcliffe is an enthusiastic aquarist who has been deeply involved in the hobby for over a decade. Elliot discovered their passion for aquaristics when they inherited a small betta fish tank during college. This initial encounter sparked a deep interest in aquatic life and ecosystem management.
