What goes into a planted freshwater aquarium?

In a freshwater aquarium planted a variety of types of plants are used and come in a variety of ways. And just as fish do, but also have specific requirements for water temperature and lighting so you should know this before you start planting in your aquarium.

Marginal plants – Most aquarium plants are included in this category. Immersed in nature for only part of the year. During the dry season it will grow out of the water and flower and seed most at that time.

Genus Cryptocoryne Gender and Echinodorus are good examples. There are over 50 species in the genus Cryptocoryne species and Amazon Sword (Echinodorus amazonicus) is very popular between the genus Echinodorus.

Real Aquatic Plants – often sold as cuts are typical aquatic plants aquatic plants because they are submerged in water and should remain so. A good example is Cabomba caroliniana, which is the genus Cabomba I and is usually called the Green Cabomba.

Land plants are not allowed – You can not leave these plants for a long time submerged in fresh water due to water quality Aquarium bad will happen to them in decomposition. Sometimes these are sold as aquatic plants to watch over them.

The stakes - Cabomba is a popular choice for the aquarium, but it is also one of the most difficult to be successful with. It is good to hide the heating and plumbing, but also means that their delicate leaves can be easily damaged in a fast-moving water. A more resilient species can be used to this situation, Hygrophilia.

Rooted plants - As some of these can grow quite large (eg the Amazon Sword plant) choose carefully to fit the size of your aquarium. Plants that are easier to handle are the E. paniculatus and E. tenellus is ideal for front of your tank as quickly covers the substrate. Others, such as slow-growing species Cryptocoryne should be diluted after settle and grow in clusters.

Shopping cultivated plants - These can be planted as they are, in the basket, or, preferably, outside the basket. And check how many plants are currently in the basket. Very often there may be four or five plants in pots as one. They must be separated and planted individually.

Bulbs and bulbs – Well-known are the most Aponogeton and Nymphaea. The Aponogeton have long leaves and flowers can be obtained if you are lucky that gives plant new seeds.

The attractive leaves Nymphaea produce, ranging from pink to red, under water, but you must ensure that the lily pads are not formed on the surface. If you do not then the surface is covered by them and not the lamp will your plants.

Floating plants - not often used in community tanks as again he cut the light to other plants. But they are useful in improving the deposition of hiding and spawning sites. Are often used Riccia, Ceratopteris thalictroides (India fern) and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce). But avoid Lemna (duckweed) like the plague, as they multiply very quickly and cover the surface completely.

Food – rooted plants can be fed with pellets of fertilizer to enable them to grow healthily, but be careful not to use too.

Lighting and water temperature - Cabomba aquarium plants need temperatures of hot water (between 18 º 32 ° C) and good light levels (up to 3 watts per gallon). Cryptocorynes not need lots of light and actually are good with low light conditions and a moderate temperature range about 20 º to 33 º C.

Propagation - Cabomba can be propagated by cuttings in good light conditions to facilitate rooting. Cabomba is a plant that is very easy to clone. Cut in half after reaching 15-20 cm in the node or branch. Just paste in the gravel and the plant is responsible the rest.

Other plants such as Cryptocoryne species, raise awareness of the corridors that go on the substrate and more plants. And others, like Microsorium pteropus (Java Fern) and Ceratopteris thalictroides (India Fern), small seedlings grow their leaves or leaves that can be removed to form new plants.

About the Author

Paul Curran offers a FREE E-Course on fresh water aquariums and a Freshwater Aquariums Care Information System to help you set up a beautiful aquarium with happy and healthy fish. And from the articles resource you will learn more about what goes into a freshwater planted aquarium

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