Purchasing Plants

Plants should be treated with as much respect as fish, it is important to remember that they are also living things. Some are tropical and will need to be kept warm. It is important not to chill these tropical plants or theyv will shed their leaves, shrivel and die. The plants that you purchase may be cuttings with no roots or they may be potted or just rooted. Before you go to get your plants make sure that you know where they are going to go. Draw out a suitable plan and make sure there is enough growing room for each plant. Pick plants that youl like and are of good quality.

When you get your plants home lay them out in trays of warm water so you can see exactly what you have. Remove any dead leaves if this is the case. Trim the roots before planting to encourage growth.

Planting

The substrate for plants must allow free flowing water. Fine gravel or coarse sand is ideal. Plants should never be plant ted in bunches because they need suitable growing room. Not all plants need to be planted but some float and some attach themselves to wood or other decor. In general tall plants should be planted at the back and sides and the smaller plants towards the fornt in staggered rows.

Plants and Photosynthesis

During daylight the plant makes it own food and gives out oxygen as a waste product. To do this they need an adequate amount of light, carbon dioxide and certain minerals which they obtain form the substrate and the water. If you want your plants to grow sucessfully then you need to provide them with all of htese things. Plants end the nitrogen cyle by using up all the left over nitrates from the bacteria in your filter. This process releases oxygen into the water which is used by the fish. This however should NOT be relied on to provide oxygen at night because photosynthesis is reversed and the plant uses oxygen form the water as well as the fish. This is why air pumps should not be switched off at night because there is a higher oxygen demand at night than they is in the day.

Lighting

Lighting is the key to all plants survival in life, so it should be provided in sufficient quantities so that the plant can photosynthesise correctly. The tamk should be illuminated with the correct wattage of bulb or tube. Some bulbs porvide better growth for plants while others bring out the colours of the fish. You will have to decide which to choose. Choose a bulb that will provide a good intensity of light even at the bottom of the aquarium. If you have a deep aquarium then a stronger light will be needed. The lights should be for about 10 hours each day any more will cause excessive algal growth.

CO2

CO2 is another important factor to think about when keeping aquarium plants. Usually the amount which is given out by the fish is eenough for the plants but if you are really considering keeping plants very sucessfully then there are methods of providing the plants with a lots more CO2. One method is by gas injection. CO2 from a aerosol is literally forced into the water by means of a fine air stone. Other ways are by chemical means.

For best results

Feed your plants. There are many commerical aquarium plant fertilisers, powder, tablets and liquids. These all work well and will provide you with the plants that you deserve.

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