Most aquarium enthusiasts love to decorate their tanks will all kinds of cool décor ideas, and most turn to live aquarium plants for there colors and movements, something plastic plants lack. Aquarium plants also help purify the water can help you achieve that "crystal clear" water effect.
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Lighting
All aquarium plants need a great deal of light, most likely supplied by a aquarium hood. Fluoride and fluorescent lighting is recommended because of its increased lighting abilities, which aid in the photosynthesis plants rely on; Mercury, halide and Vapor lights will also work. Many aquarium owners leave the aquarium lights on for greater then 12 hours a day, this is, however, not recommended or beneficial and can cause algae build-up in the aquarium. Cost: Usually fluorescent light bulbs are the cheapest, costing around $10.00 a bulb.
Nutrients
In the aquarium, calcium, magnesium, and nitrogen are essential for plant growth; CO2 is also recommended for plant growth. Many also believe that commercial fertilizers benefit aquarium plants, although we do not recommend this. Nutrients in the aquarium also help reduce the changes of algae build-up caused by excessive light. There needs to be a balance in the aquarium, as during the day the plant will give off oxygen, but at night it will consume oxygen and give off CO2, that is why it is highly recommended that a air pump be turned on at night time to add additional oxygen to the tank for your fish.
Before Planting
Before plating your newly purchased aquarium plants, ensure you follow the following steps:
Remove any decaying or yellow leaves (This helps keep plant nutrient levels high)
Remove dying roots (dying roots appear limp and brown, healthy ones are pale and rigid)
Tubing plants should be placed on a angle
Some plants may need to be placed near rocks or bog-wood to thrive (Java Fern, Java Moss)
For stem plants, remove the bottom leaves (these leaves will receive very little light and will drain the main plants nutrients)
Inspect your plant for snails as snails will quickly reproduce and take over your tank (snails can be the size of a grain of rice!)
Place your newly purchased plant in a separate aquarium/bucket overnight to insure they are no snails
Maintenance
Regular maintenance is required for aquarium plants and your aquarium to stay healthy. Once a week try to remove any dead or decaying leaves from the plant, and also check up on plant and algae growth. If there is algae, try reducing the amount of light the plant receives.
WARNINGS
Snails should be your number one concern when you purchase a new aquarium plants, ensure you inspect the plant for snails and larvae as having snails can quickly ruin your aquarium
Inspect for hydras, which are tiny sea anemones that will eat away at your fish and produce excess waste in the aquarium
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