| When you are planning to plant your aquarium, | | | | supply of oxygen. If your fish is shy in nature, |
| the first thing is to work out your plan on paper. | | | | you will have to provide some place for them to |
| You need to take note of several factors. | | | | hide. Some of your fish may require open space |
| The growth pattern for the plants | | | | for swimming together. You'll need to take into |
| Some plants will grow taller occupying much space | | | | account all these considerations while choosing the |
| in the aquarium. If you want to use them, keep | | | | plants. |
| the margin of at least a couple of inches from all | | | | The conditions of water and light in the aquarium |
| sides. It will allow leaves to spread nicely without | | | | If you are maintaining a temperature of 80° in |
| jamming the glass. It will also provide a spacious | | | | your aquarium, you cannot plan for cooler water |
| corridor for your fish to swim. | | | | plants as they will not survive. If some of your |
| In the middle of the aquarium, you should plan for | | | | plants are slow growing, algae will grow on their |
| plants which are smaller in length. They should be | | | | leaves rapidly. So you need to place them under |
| arranged in such a way which will give the effect | | | | plants which are taller. The conditions of water |
| of depth to the overall aquarium. At the | | | | are also important. If you are maintaining hard |
| forefront, plants staying low should be selected. | | | | water in your aquarium, you cannot think of using |
| Plant color combinations | | | | soft water plants. |
| The plants at the background should be of | | | | Maintenance requirements |
| pleasing colors. You can plan different shades of | | | | You should work out the time you will be required |
| colors to make individual plants stand out on their | | | | to spend each week on your aquarium. If you |
| own. You can put the dark shades next to the | | | | have very little time, then you must call for plants |
| light ones. At the front of the aquarium, think of | | | | with low maintenance. Plants having slower growth |
| combinations of two or three plants with different | | | | tendency and plants with manageable growth |
| colors. | | | | tendencies could also be your preferences. You |
| Sizes and shapes of plants | | | | can do trimming of plants at the same time when |
| Plants with small leaves always look good in the | | | | you change the water. It will be easier because |
| aquarium. You may also arrange plants having | | | | when the water is not full, you can look after the |
| larger leaves placed next to smaller ones. The | | | | plants well. |
| plants with larger leaves will go at the back while | | | | The looks of the plants |
| those with smaller ones will be in the middle and | | | | You would go for plants for which you like the |
| at the front. You may also arrange one plant with | | | | looks. You will be the person who will look at the |
| large leaves amongst a group of plants with | | | | aquarium frequently. So you should select plants |
| smaller leaves. | | | | of shapes and colors which will be pleasing to you! |
| One more consideration about the size of the | | | | There will be a lot of varieties available in the |
| plant is the convenience of fish you are keeping in | | | | market which will match to your liking. So you |
| your aquarium. The shapes of the plants should | | | | should make a good research before buying them. |
| be compatible with the varieties of fish you have. | | | | An aquarium with a carefully planned Aquascape |
| You will naturally discard plants which are covering | | | | will be a pleasure to the eyes of every one and it |
| the surface of the water as they will block the | | | | will also provide enough score for your creativity. |