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Tropical Aquarium Plant Set Up
By Janet Ashby
Live plants in an aquarium add to the natural look and contribute to the chemical balance. They also provide a food source for the fish. However they can soon pollute the water if they die and the lighting must be taken into consideration when setting up the tank. Lighting Lighting is more important for aquarium plants than for the fish. Incandescent bulbs are not recommended for a planted aquarium. These types of bulbs waste up to two thirds of the energy in the form of heat. A better choice is a fluorescent tube running the length of the aquarium. Substrate Plants need to root themselves and the usual coarse gravel used in tanks is a poor choice for a planted tank. Commercially available substrates, such as Flourite and laterite, are available at aquarium supply stores. Other choices include fine gravel and peat. Nutrients Plants, of course, need nutrients to grow. Fish waste contains nitrogen in the form of ammonia and nitrates are produced by the nitrifying bacteria. Other nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, iron and other trace elements are present in the water or in fish food. In a heavily planted tank fertilising may be needed but care must be taken to avoid the problems from the overgrowth of algae. Plants also need a source of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is dissolved in water and is also supplied by respiration of the fish. For a very heavily plated aquarium carbon dioxide can be added using a commercially available system. Water changes. A planted tank will require regular water changes. 50% of the water should be changed weekly, more often for a smaller tank. Choice of Plants Plants should be chosen to reflect the natural habitat of the fish.
A very easy plant to grow, especially for a beginner, is Hygrophila polysperma. It is so easy so grow that it is classed as a weed and can cause problems in the environment. The plant will tolerate a wide range of water conditions. Temperatures from 65 to 85°C, from very hard to soft water and a pH range of 5-9. The plant is very fast growing and can grow by as much as 10cm in a day! Another easy plant is the Brazilian sword.
This intel first appeared on: http://getaquariums.com/2008/09/28/freshwater-aquarium-plants-setup/
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This intel was contributed by janetra
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May, 2012
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