| Plants are indeed a great way to add beauty to | | | | your fish tank. Other naturally occurring nutrients |
| any aquarium, especially live freshwater aquarium | | | | needed are nitrates and phosphates and are |
| plants. Live aquarium plants are excellent for a | | | | usually already in your tank. |
| number of reasons. They are vibrant in color, | | | | Also check the filtration system that you have |
| they aid in the maintenance of the aquarium, they | | | | available for your aquarium. Any system will do as |
| provide places for fish to rest and hide, and they | | | | long as the filter does not create very strong |
| are alive. If you do not want to deal with live | | | | currents, and try to stay away from under gravel |
| plants, then at least provide artificial plants for | | | | filters. There needs to be a balance between your |
| your fish. More care is needed caring for live | | | | filtration system, your aquatic plants, and how |
| aquatic plants, but they are beneficial and more | | | | many fish you have in regards to the health your |
| rewarding in the long run. | | | | tank. Additional fish can add waste which also |
| As long as there is enough light and no | | | | provides nutrients to the tank that plants can |
| plant-eating fish inside the aquarium, keeping | | | | eventually absorb for growth. At the same time, |
| freshwater aquarium plants should not pose a | | | | your filtration system can actually remove |
| problem. Light plays a major role in the process | | | | nutrients that your plants would otherwise utilize. |
| of photosynthesis, which is inherent to all plants | | | | Before the process of planting, plan ahead and |
| and provides oxygen to the aquarium. Having | | | | make a sketch as to where the plants will be |
| sufficient lighting then is important for a | | | | located. One suggestion is to put larger plants in |
| well-balanced aquarium with plant life in it. | | | | the back of your fish tank. Also, keep in mind |
| Aquatic plants need substrate to attach their | | | | how many plants you wish to grow, how big they |
| roots and nutrients to grow. Some plants may | | | | get, and how fast they grow. You still want to be |
| require additional nutrients for growth and better | | | | able to actually see your fish. Some maintenance |
| health. One such substrate that can provide | | | | activities include pruning can be performed if your |
| nutrients for aquatic plants is laterite, which is a | | | | aquatic plants take over your aquarium. |
| clay fertilizer rich in iron, and has other | | | | Nevertheless, freshwater aquarium plants can |
| micronutrients needed by freshwater aquarium | | | | significantly boost the aesthetics of your |
| plants. Some plants may not need this and | | | | aquarium, so instead of settling for fake plastic |
| depends on plant type and the nutrients already in | | | | artificial plants, give live aquatic plants a try. |