Live aquarium plants are a beneficial addition to the fish tank. Anyone who has seen a photograph of a lush, flourishing system with a school of Tetras knows the beauty of a freshwater planted aquarium. In a well planted and planned aquarium the fish have better colors, live a more natural life, and appear more comfortable than in an unplanted tank.

Many hobbyists avoid adding live plants, thinking they are too fragile or difficult to keep. They do need more care than plastic reproductions. Aquatic plants can be kept with few problems as long as there is plenty of light and no plant eating or plant destroying fish.

Before planting the aquarium make a rough sketch of how you want it to look. Make an easy to follow plan and include rocks, structures, and plants.

Plants fall into different categories as to how tall they grow and their shape. Place the plants in the appropriate location in grouping of odd numbers for a more natural appearance.

Carefully select aquatic plant friendly fish for your aquarium. Herbivorous fish are not suitable for planted aquariums since they are avid grazers and many cichlids are notorious for digging in the substrate and up rooting aquatic plants. Fish to consider are Rasbora, Tetras, Gouramis, Rainbow, and Livebearers. By avoiding some common mistakes through careful planning you'll be pleased with your success.

The most common reasons for the loss of aquatic plants are due to adding plants that require differing water conditions than the fish or the plants ill suited to the existing lighting conditions. Just like fish, aquatic plants do best when they are kept in an aquarium that best suits their needs. Selecting aquatic plants that share common water conditions of fish will reduce fewer problems and will make it easier for you to maintain ultimate water conditions.

The three main characteristics to consider are pH, water hardness, and water temperature. Water should be kept as clean and clear as possible because free debris can settle on plant leaves or cloud the water, interfering with light intensity.

Aquatic plants are tolerant of a pH range between 6.5 and 7.5. Usually tropical aquatic plants tend to favor softer water, the majority of aquatic plants are able to adapt to hard water and do well within the temperature range of 70 to 80 degrees. Very few aquatic plants can survive in brackish water.

It is important to always research the plant requirements for specific pH lighting and temperature of each plant first before placing it in the aquarium.

Water plants breathe somewhat differently then us. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide during the day. At night plants breathe in oxygen. The oxygen is need by fish to survive and plants need the carbon dioxide that the fish produce to keep living. At night, there is no sunlight or artificial for the aquatic plants to carry out photosynthesis. So, aquatic plants take in oxygen and produce carbon dioxide. Because of night time plant respiration, the carbon dioxide level in an aquarium rises at night, but once the light is turned on, the carbon dioxide levels drop due to plant photosynthesis.

This whole process starts with the oxygen being released from the plants through photosynthesis. Thus in an aquarium during the day, aquatic plants use the carbon dioxide, produced by fish, and water to produce oxygen and energy. The plant and fish would not be able to survive if photosynthesis did not occur.

Plants that require high lighting requirements are frequently placed in aquariums with insufficient lighting Most aquariums do not have adequate lighting to properly nourish aquatic plants and they do not survive or display weak growth.. Provide the correct lighting or select plants that are suited to your current lighting situation A planted aquarium should receive at least 10 to 12 hours of light per day. One of the most important ingredients to a successful plant aquarium is strong lighting. As a general rule, 2-3 watts per gallon is sufficient for a well-planted aquarium.

Fluorescent bulbs have proven to be the most practical bulb for lighting planted tanks. However, in tanks deeper than 20" (50 cm), most fluorescent bulbs are not strong enough to illuminate the tank sufficiently, so mercury vapor lamps can be used

Zoo Meds Labs 36" Flora Sun Max Plant Growth Fluorescent Bulbs This high intensity lamp with peak emissions in the blue and red regions serves to maximize the photo biological processes in plants. Be aware that the intensity of fluorescent tubes decreases subtly, with time. Thus one tube should be replaced every six months.

Nutrients are other factor to think about is aquatic plants will thrive when specialized plant substrates are used. Plants require macro- and micro nutrients to grow. Macro nutrients are matter that are required in relatively large amounts such as nitrates, phosphates, and sulfates. These nutrients usually occur naturally in the aquarium from tap water and fish. When these levels rise to excessive amounts, an "algae bloom" can result. Nitrate levels rise due to by fish by production. Therefore these macro nutrients do not need to be added to the aquarium.

Micro nutrients are elements that are required in trace amounts. Micro nutrients important to plants include copper, iron, manganese, boron, zinc, and calcium. These elements are needed in only the smallest amounts, and excess can prove harmful.

When there is a deficiency of nutrients, the plants suffer. If the leaves yellow faster than usual, there could be a deficiency of nitrogen or sulfur. If the leaves yellow starting at the tips or the leafs seem notably brittle, an iron deficiency should be suspect. Indication of an over fertilization of iron or a manganese, phosphorous, or a potassium deficiency is yellow spots on the leaves.

Because macro nutrients are usually available naturally in aquariums, an all-around plant fertilizer is not recommended for plants in a aquarium . Instead use preparations of "trace elements" which are specially prepared for aquatic plants and are widely available. An overdose with a fertilizer because it will harm plants and fish .

Your aquarium plants will grow and thrive when planted in Fluorite Plant Substrate. It is most effective when used as the primary substrate.. It is made of stable porous clay that is not chemically treated or coated and will not alter the pH of the aquarium.

You see a noticeable improvement in plant’s growth. This stable, porous clay substrate is rich in iron. It can be mix with existing gravel or use alone as a substrate for best results. Each bag is sufficient for about a 2" deep bed in a typical 10-gallon tank. Be sure and Rinse thoroughly before using or it will cause the water to become cloudy.

Carbon dioxide is used by plants for photosynthesis and is a fundamental compound to the success of a planted aquarium. Carbon dioxide is present in aquariums as a byproduct of fish respiration and nitrification, and dissolved in the water from the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide levels should range from 5-15 Mg/l, once the level surpasses 20 Mg/l, it will harm the fish. If the aquarium is heavily planted and lightly stocked with fish, or if the water is hard, carbon dioxide fertilization may be necessary. Carbon dioxide can be added to the aquarium using a carbon dioxide fertilizing system.

The Jungle Products Plant Care CO2 Fizz Factorycan help you achieve the thriving fertile planted aquarium you've always wanted.

The CO2 Fizz Factory makes it easy, and comes with everything you need to get started, including 16 CO2 Fizz Tabs. Use the Fizz Factory to aid plant growth in freshwater aquariums up to 40 gallons. The only thing you and your fish will notice is the leafy jungle of greener, healthier aquatic plants.

Jungle Plant Care Co2 Fizz Tabs 16 Pack are for use with the Jungle Plant Care Solutions CO2 Fizz Factory. They are fast dissolving, premeasured tablets that make caring for your aquarium plants quick, easy and convenient.

Seachem Flourish Excelis a simple source of readily available organic carbon. All plants require a source of carbon. This is typically obtained from CO2, but, may also be obtained by the use of relatively simple organic compounds . Since both processes occur simultaneously one can derive a substantial benefit with the use of Flourish Excel either alone or in conjunction with Jungle Plant Care Co2 Fizz Factory . Flourish Excel also has iron reducing properties which promote the ferrous state of iron (Fe+2). Flourish Excel is recommended for use with the entire family of Flourish products as well as Fluorite and Onyx substrates. Flourish Excel contains no phosphate or nitrate and will treat 50 gallons for 1-2 months.

Phosphorus is one of the main three macro nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium required by plants and can often become the limiting factor to growth in a nourishing system. Seachem Flourish Phosphorus is a safe solution of potassium phosphate that takes the guess work out of phosphate dosing. Unlike competing products that mix nitrate and phosphate in a fixed ratio, Flourish Phosphorus (being nitrate free) allows you to dose phosphorus according to the needs of your plants without the risk of overdosing nitrates. When used as directed Flourish Phosphorus will enhance and accelerate the growth of aquatic plants without enhancing algae growth. For maximum benefit use with Flourish Nitrogen and Flourish Potassium.

Seachem Flourish Potassium contains 50,000 mg/L of potassium suitable for the natural planted aquarium. Potassium is one of several elements that are extremely important to maintaining a vigorous level of growth in a planted aquarium. Potassium can become depleted in a rapidly growing system or when the source water has a low mineral content. In these cases potassium could become the limiting factor to growth. Use Flourish Potassium to prevent potassium depletion and maintain the highest level of growth. Signs of potassium depletion include yellowing in older leaves.

Seachem Flourish Iron is a highly concentrated ferrous iron (Fe+2) gluconate supplement. It should be used in those cases where the iron requirements exceed that which can be delivered by Flourish at the recommended dose or signs of iron deficiency appear as short and slender stems or yellowing between veins. Plants are able to obtain a benefit from Flourish Iron . Since plants require iron in the ferrous state. Flourish Ironcontains no phosphate or nitrate.

Seachem Plant Pack Enhancer is a great start kit and contains Flourish Nitrogen, Flourish Phosphorus, and Flourish Potassium. Flourish Nitrogen is a concentrated blend of nitrogen sources. It provides nitrogen in both the nitrate form and the plant-preferred ammonium form. However, no free ammonia is released because the ammonium in Flourish Nitrogen is complexed and unavailable until utilized by the plants. Flourish Nitrogen also provides nitrate for those plants that can readily utilize nitrate as well. Flourish Phosphorus is a safe solution of potassium phosphate that takes the guess work out phosphate dosing. Unlike competing products that mix nitrate and phosphate in a fixed ratio, Flourish Phosphorus (being nitrate free) allows you to dose phosphorus according to the needs of your plants without the risk of overdosing nitrates. Likewise, because Flourish Nitrogen is phosphate free you can use both products together to target exactly the ideal amounts of each for your system. Flourish Potassium contains 40,000 mg/L of potassium suitable for the natural freshwater aquarium. Potassium is an important element that is needed by all plants. In a thriving planted aquarium it can become the limiting factor to growth if it is depleted.

Seachem Plant Pack Fundamentalsis an excellent pack for beginning aquatic gardeners. It contains Flourish, Flourish Iron, Flourish Excel. Flourish is a growth stimulator for aquarium plant stems and leaves. It contains a broad spectrum of essential trace elements, vitamins, and amino acids. Flourish is rich in gluconate iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium, potassium, inositol, choline B12, biotin, and other factors that have been determined to be beneficial to aquatic plants.

Almost any filtration system will work in a plant aquarium. Undergravel filters are not a good choice because the air bubbles create surface disturbance and the filter shield limits substrate size and composition. The main requirements of the filtration system are: it does not create a lot water disturbance, because precious carbon dioxide will be lost , the filter remove floating particles that may block the lighting and the filter create some current to keep nutrients moving through the water.

Seachem Plant Pack Enhancer and Seachem Plant Pack Fundamentals is an excellent pack for beginning aquatic gardeners. Use MultiTest Kit to monitor macro and micro nutrients concentrations. By choosing appropriate aquatic plants that best match the lighting and water conditions of your existing aquarium, creating a beautiful planted aquarium is not as difficult as you might think.

I have these items in listed in my store or in stock If you don't see what you need drop me a note and I will see if I have or can get it. Thank you and please visit my Fish-n-ThingsDirect

resources:

Seachem Laboratories ,Pet mart wed site, Jungle Products