Living plants adapted to active life in the aquatic environment become a beautiful decoration of the aquarium. There are quite a lot of such floristics. A novice aquarist should familiarize himself with the features of keeping living plants of different species, how they differ, and the requirements for care. This will allow you to choose the optimal option for planting in aquarium soil.
In the article, we will tell you how to choose live plants for an aquarium, what are the types of aquarium plants, give the names and descriptions of surface, ground cover, long-stemmed and red, flowering aquarium plants.
Which Plants Should be Planted ?
Plants in a home aquarium not only add aesthetics and create a beautiful background. They perform an important biological function, release useful oxygen, process harmful nitrogen compounds, and absorb carbon dioxide. In addition, they become an excellent shelter for fish, which is especially important during the spawning period. Some types of aquatic flora are also used by floating inhabitants as a vitaminized delicacy.
When the owner finally understands that aquarium plants are not just beautiful, but also useful, he can proceed to the selection of aquatic flora for planting.
We have already talked about the fact that there are a lot of plants for aquariums.
All of them are conditionally classified into several groups:
soil cover;
floating;
long-stemmed;
bushy;
ferns, mosses.
If the correct conditions of maintenance are observed, all these plants grow well in the water element.
Selection criteria
Different factors should be taken into account when choosing aquarium plants. First of all, it is the size of the tank and the financial capabilities of the owner.
Also taken into account:
illumination level of the home reservoir;
average water temperature.
More about different parameters and their influence on the choice of plants:
1. Large plants can be planted in large aquariums, small varieties of flora effectively decorate small artificial reservoirs.
2. Heat-loving plants are planted in tropical aquariums, if the ecosystem maintains a cool water temperature, it is worth choosing unpretentious species that can adapt to such conditions.
3.If there is insufficient lighting in the aquarium, many plants may wither and die.
4. If you plan to plant expensive exotic plants in an aquarium, you should immediately choose high-quality soil rich in organic matter and other useful components that ensure the development and growth of fastidious plants.
It is better for novice aquarists to start their acquaintance with the content of aquatic flora with simple, unpretentious representatives that can adapt to any conditions of existence.
Fast-growing or slow-growing
Plants differ in growth rate. Let’s consider two main groups that do not require large financial investments and personal time for care.
For aquariums with a volume of up to 60 liters, slow-growing species that do not require a high level of illumination for photosynthesis are optimal.
In large ecosystems, it is possible to successfully grow fast-growing plants that grow rapidly. Accordingly, such representatives need good lighting. Powerful diode lamps should be installed in the aquarium.
As for maintenance time, slow-growing species are not so demanding in care, so they are perfect for beginner aquarists. Fast-growing plants require constant attention, they will have to be regularly weeded, trimmed, etc.
Surprisingly, the growth rate of living vegetation in the aquarium depends on their color. Slow-growing representatives are colored in dark green, and fast-growing – in light green shades. If you wish, you can create an original composition by combining plants from these two groups. In such cases, experts recommend initially planting fast-growing shoots, and a little later plants with slow growth.
At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the preferences of plants for the level of illumination. Lovers of bright lighting are placed closer to the lamps, and other species can be planted in areas where bright light reaches less.
Common or rare
Beginner aquarists should pay attention to common unpretentious plants. Exotic rare species are too demanding to maintain, so they are mainly chosen by advanced owners of closed ecosystems who have certain skills and experience in maintaining aquatic floristics.
Types of plants for the aquarium: a brief description
There are many aquarium plants. All of them are attractive and interesting in their own way. We will consider several popular types, their features, a brief description.
Plants for the aquarium:
1. Canadian elodea is an unpretentious, fast-growing plant, ideal for decorating the background. Grows well at medium and high light levels. Pruning and weeding must be done periodically, otherwise it will displace other plants growing in the neighborhood.
2. Hygrophila sinema – rosettes of different sizes with light carved leaves with a beautiful texture. Lands in the background. Thinning and shortening of rapidly growing stems is required.
3. Cornflower is a perennial soil plant with a long stem and thin oblong leaves. An unpretentious species that maintains activity even with insufficient lighting and in cold water.
4. Christmas, Javanese mosses – quickly spread out in water, forming a beautiful green “cap”. It is not necessary to root them, it is enough to tie them to a stone or driftwood. Actively grow at any light level. The brighter the light, the denser the moss.
Long-stemmed aquarium plants and shrubs
Long-stemmed plants include species of aquatic flora, the stem of which reaches a length of 10 cm or more. They reproduce by cuttings. They perfectly fit into the decor of large aquariums. They are planted mainly in the background.
Names of long-stemmed plants for an aquarium:
ammania sinegalskaya;
Karolinska bakopa, aquatics, etc.;
alternantera marble;
multi-seeded hygrophila, balsamic, araguaia, etc.;
limnophylla aromatica, aquatic, etc.;
ludvigia red, bog, narrow-leaved, etc.;
guaiana pinnate, fir tree, etc.;
rotala indica, macrandra, etc.;
tuna belem;
dark elodea and others
There are hundreds of species of long-stemmed plants that can be planted in home aquariums.
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