Everything about freshwater aquariums is intended to be ornamental. However, at the same time, many aquarium elements such plants serve functions that go beyond aesthetics. Seasoned aquarists highly recommend aquatic plants for all kinds of tanks, particularly those set up to keep freshwater tropical species. It’s possible to keep tropical fish in tanks that aren’t planted, but there’s no real good reason for doing so unless you’re simply interested in farming fish or placing them in brief periods of isolation. Keeping some healthy plants is one of the best things you can do to improve your enclosed aquatic ecosystem, and you shouldn’t let the following myths dissuade you, because they …

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Keeping live plants in a freshwater aquarium is one of the smartest things you can do for all the species in your enclosed aquatic ecosystem. While some of the artificial plants you can get for freshwater tanks these days look just like their real counterparts, you would be doing your fish, invertebrates, and microorganisms a disservice by opting for fake plastic plants. There’s more than just aesthetics involved when caring for aquarium plants. Let’s take a look at all the benefits plants provide to freshwater habitats. Chemical Water Oxygenation You should always keep optimal levels of dissolved oxygen in a freshwater tank. It’s generally accepted that 5 parts per million …

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Here’s something that often happens to fish keepers whose foray into the aquarium hobby involves a starter tank purchased from a local shop. These packaged deals often include a couple of aquatic plants that may or may not be of the rooting kind. If the kit comes with bottled bacteria for the purpose of establishing the tank, you’ll be able to begin stocking it with a few fish within 24 hours of filling the aquarium, but this quick start may not provide sufficient time for plants to take hold and get used to the habitat. When this is the case, many plants start to wilt in less than two months, …

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The art of making aquariums look their best through caring for plant species is called aquascaping, and it adheres to four vital elements of an ideal ecosystem: lighting, substrate, carbon dioxide management, and the proper use of fertilizers. At the very least, aquatic plants should be provided with lighting to stimulate photosynthesis. Only rooted plants need specific substrate, and the management of CO2 can best be enabled by the addition of “carbon source” like SeaChem Excel or gas CO2 or even fractionally through fish waste, invertebrates, and microorganisms. With regard to fertilizers, not all fish keepers use them, but those who do enjoy the advantage of healthy plants that live …

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There’s an entire subset of the aquarium hobby specifically dedicated to aquatic plants. It’s known as aquascaping, and it involves caring for some of the most gorgeous tanks you’ll ever see. Aquascaping enthusiasts know there’s a lot more to caring for plants than just clean water and a reliable source of light. Freshwater planted aquariums not only look better. They also provide a more natural and healthier ecosystem, which is why seasoned fish keepers always recommend caring for planted tanks. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 50-60 percent plant coverage in a tank. The plants you choose will dictate the type of substrate that will work …

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Ask any seasoned aquarist about his on her thoughts on freshwater planted aquariums, and you’re bound to get very positive and encouraging answers. Plants not only enhance the overall look of a tank but also improve the ecosystem by keeping algae bloom in check, providing fish with places to hide, and promoting biochemical oxygenation. Each year, the Aquatic Gardeners Association holds a contest to showcase and recognize the most gorgeous examples of aquascaping from around the world, and the winners are interviewed about their techniques. In these interviews, the topic of lighting is often discussed at length. Not all plant species will respond to the same type of light, and …

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Each year, aquarists who put together the most gorgeous tanks enter the International Aquascaping Contest organized by the Aquatic Gardeners Association. Whenever you’re looking for ideas on how your tank should look, you should search online for pictures of the aquariums that took prizes in this contest. Invariably, you’ll notice their aquatic plant diversity is what makes them look amazing. You can never go wrong with freshwater planted aquariums because they look better, balance the biochemistry of the tank, make fish happier, and can even serve as nourishment. With this in mind, let’s review five tips you can follow when caring for aquatic plants. 1. Start the Nitrogen Cycle with …

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All aquarium habitats will benefit from live plants. The best way to get into fish keeping is to start out with plants and allow them to ease the habitat into the nitrogen cycle until an aquatic ecosystem can be established. Plants will continue to take important roles in terms of optimally adjusting the biochemistry of the ecosystem, which means planted aquariums have a great potential of making aquatic habitats healthier for all species. As to the question at hand, freshwater planted aquariums can make it easier to support a heavier bioload, which means they can hold more fish, but there are some caveats in this regard. More Fish Isn’t Always …

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One common piece of advice shared among aquarium enthusiasts is related to the quantity of fish and invertebrate species they should keep in their tanks. Overstocking aquariums is never recommended because fish generally enjoy having enough space to swim around. This isn’t the case with all species, but things can get uncomfortable if too many fish are stocked in a smaller tank, particularly if they’re known to be territorial. Things are different with live plants because all aquarium species will appreciate them. A thick underwater jungle isn’t usually a problem because fish will find ways to swim around the plants, but there are a few things to keep in mind …

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An aquarium with live plants will always look better than one with plastic ornaments. Freshwater planted aquariums require slightly more involvement from fish keepers because they’re more of a sophisticated ecosystem, but the effort and extra care are certainly worth it not just for aquarists but also for fish. Most beginner aquarists don’t start off with live plants. They might believe they’re a lot of work, but this isn’t really the case. While it’s true you’ll need more equipment and a longer waiting time to establish the tank, some aquatic plant species are as easy to keep as hardy fish. If you’re just getting into fish keeping, making a planted …

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