| When people started to keep fishes in captivity | | | | Also, they sometimes grow too big and too quick. |
| for aesthetic reasons (the little creatures have | | | | Owners have to do some regular trimming of |
| that universal, mesmerizing appeal to people | | | | these plants. Be aware that these can be difficult |
| simply by swimming around) some 4,500 years or | | | | to and maintain. Waste breakdown |
| so ago, things were simpler. They used natural | | | | In plants, there are bacteria that help in waste |
| rocks and sand and plants to decorate their ponds | | | | breakdown. Chemical filtration and filtration in |
| for their pets. Today, with all the modern devices | | | | general is well managed by the plants and |
| to enhance the visual ambiance inside an aquarium, | | | | substrate inside of the tank. Real plants use up |
| there grew some controversy on the proper use | | | | the nitrates that the fish expels which are harmful |
| of plants. Should one use the real live plants which | | | | to the fish. |
| actually occur in nature, or should one use artificial | | | | One downside is that certain plants are possible |
| freshwater aquarium plants in reconstituting the | | | | carriers of harmful pests such as snails and other |
| look of the fish's natural habitat? | | | | disease-causing parasites. Another downside is |
| With modern life getting more complex, the | | | | that whenever any plant dies and decays, the |
| question goes through different hurdles now. Is it | | | | resulting waste debris is definitely harmful to the |
| aesthetically pleasing? Which is economically viable | | | | fish. |
| (costly or otherwise) in the long run? Which choice | | | | Artificial Freshwater Aquarium Plants |
| is labor-intensive and therefore not good | | | | Because it is not edible, plastic plants deters your |
| alternative for the disinclined (lazy)? Choosing a | | | | favorite fish from making a tasty meal out of |
| live plant or an artificial freshwater aquarium plant | | | | your fake plants. This can be a grat set up if your |
| can be stressful. | | | | fish is a plant eater or more accurately a live plant |
| Where 4,500 years ago people stocked fishes in | | | | "snacker". |
| their man-made ponds for the dual purpose of | | | | Artificial plants manufacturers have become so |
| food and entertainment, today's freshwater | | | | exceptional in their expertise it is very hard to tell |
| aquarium creatures are seldom edible. Most of | | | | a real plant from an artificial one. In appearance |
| them are kept for their color, for their form and | | | | and beauty, they can rival a real plant. |
| sometimes for their eccentricities. (They can be | | | | They Cannot Die |
| very eccentric - some hide all the time and come | | | | Artificial plants will never grow old (and die and |
| out only during dinner, some sleep floating | | | | decay and foul up the aquarium tank), will never |
| vertically, some try hard to look ugly all the time, | | | | grow too large for comfort, or would never |
| and some chase and eat their neighbors.) | | | | become tattered and unattractive. In short, they |
| Their modern aquariums are some of the most | | | | do not lose their looks. Live plants can overgrow |
| well-equipped and well-maintained habitats in | | | | and become out of shape. |
| modern life for a living creature - much of the | | | | Once they get dirty and covered with algal |
| equipment if not all of it is custom to the point | | | | growth, artificial plants are simply removed |
| where the aquarium is an almost perfectly | | | | temporarily and cleaned and become good as |
| balanced ecosystem. Each one of these modern | | | | new again. They don't require lights, too. |
| conveniences for the fish has been met with | | | | No Pests And Parasites |
| approval by everyone, all except the question | | | | One more advantage is that they are available all |
| between real freshwater plants and artificial ones | | | | year round. Being new to an aquarium, they |
| to be used. | | | | cannot bring in parasites or diseases that can be a |
| Live Freshwater Aquarium Plants | | | | possible problem from somewhere else. They |
| Real live plants provide the aquarium a more | | | | may not contribute to the life system inside the |
| natural environment for the fish and with some | | | | aquarium but artificial plants are ideal for some |
| benefits only a natural living thing can give. In | | | | species of fish that are prone to uproot live |
| contributing to the aquarium ecosystem, live | | | | plants. |
| plants breathe and help distribute nutrients for the | | | | A Toss-up |
| fish. They give off oxygen (needed by the fish) | | | | For the real fish lover, there is never a conflict as |
| and take in carbon dioxide (expelled by the fish) in | | | | to what kind of plant is best for freshwater |
| a favorable exchange of gases. | | | | aquarium use. Both the artificial freshwater |
| This process might reverse at night when the | | | | aquarium plant and the real freshwater plants |
| aquarium will need a little extra owner-away care. | | | | have their own plus points. |
| Thus, in aquarium tanks that are heavily planted, | | | | In terms of beauty, it is simply a tossup between |
| carbon dioxide can rise considerably and may be | | | | the two considering how excellent these artificial |
| dangerous to the fish. (They tend to go to the | | | | plants look, especially the new models. Of course, |
| top and gasp for air.) The oxygen air pump should | | | | there should not be a question about natural |
| be running in cases like this at night. | | | | beauty from a natural living plant. |
| Food | | | | It is another toss-up as to the various upsides |
| Real plants can serve as food to some species of | | | | and downsides of the real water plant and that of |
| freshwater fish. The plants also slow down the | | | | the artificial plant. On most cases, things balance |
| growth of algae inside the aquarium tank. | | | | themselves out for both. |
| These live real plants, however, need a bit more | | | | Is the artificial freshwater aquarium plant better |
| work to cultivate and maintain. This is because | | | | than the real living freshwater plant? Most |
| some of them have specific types of light, or a | | | | experienced fish keepers cannot agree. The |
| substrate, or a specific bottom layer type for | | | | straight answer is that what it all comes down to |
| rooting. | | | | is a matter of choice. |