| Plants are significant to the balance and beauty of | | | | impossible to come up with an amount of light |
| aquariums. They are unparalleled in the | | | | that will always work. Therefore it is a matter of |
| completeness that they offer to any freshwater | | | | trial and error to get the amount of light you |
| setup. | | | | need. Having not enough light will not allow your |
| What plants do is provide a good looking backdrop | | | | plants to grow enough, but too much light will turn |
| to your tank, but it is important to leave space | | | | your water green. |
| for your fish to swim in behind them. Some types | | | | You don't just have to use artificial lights though. |
| of plants look better in different arrangements, | | | | If you use natural lighting the ideal way to do so |
| tall, thin ones appear better in rows while plants | | | | is by placing the aquarium near a window facing |
| with feathers are best planted in circular groups. | | | | north. You do not want direct sunlight, reflected |
| For visual appeal it is also important that the | | | | sunlight will offer a good amount of light. |
| water level in the aquarium does not fall below | | | | Lighting fixtures look great if they are housed in a |
| the top angle iron of the tank, so that it appears | | | | wood housing above the tank. If you are just |
| there is no water in the tank. When the viewer | | | | using artificial light then you will need to have the |
| can see the top level of the water it looks like | | | | lights on for about eight to twelve hours per day. |
| the tank has water in it. | | | | For the best effect, try to have the light enter |
| All plants differ in the amount of light they require, | | | | the tank from the back. |
| when factored in with other combinations it is | | | | |