| Freshwater aquarium grass can be artificial or real. | | | | efficient, thus chemical filtration in your fish tank |
| There are advantages and disadvantages in | | | | becomes almost unnecessary. |
| choosing either the live version or the imitation. | | | | Real grass also provides organic food to fish |
| However, nothing beats the real one. This remains | | | | especially the herbivore species that normally feed |
| as good advice and that is why many aquarists | | | | more often than the carnivore types. The grass |
| who master the hobby of fish-keeping always aim | | | | needs special monitoring, care and maintenance as |
| to use real grass instead of the fake stuff in their | | | | they may decay with time and that invites algae |
| aquarium. A fish tank cannot be complete without | | | | to grow, which can be toxic to your fish. |
| grass. They provide the natural 'feel' for the fish | | | | Live plants are also known to be carriers of |
| tank, its beauty and its balance. Most importantly, | | | | possible pests and parasites in the tank, but for |
| the grass can provide a great source of nutrients | | | | the benefit of the fish and for a healthier |
| for the tank water and also look fantastic, as I | | | | environment, let the grass grow and live. The |
| once saw this aquarium in an insurance office with | | | | tank will still reap great nutrient benefits from the |
| really long tall grass in the aquarium and the fish | | | | grass even if your fish make a snack out of |
| were darting in and out of it playfully. Grass also | | | | some of the blades of grass. This is something |
| serves as both food and shelter for the fish. | | | | not to worry about with fish tanks because even |
| From the thousand species of plants, there are | | | | in their natural habitat in the wild, fish have always |
| now hundreds of types of freshwater grass | | | | loved real grass for the nutrition it brings, the |
| popularly used in aquariums. Some people prefer | | | | benefit of protection from predators and for |
| artificial grass or manufactured plants in plastic or | | | | spawning. Aquarium grasses like Willow Moss, |
| silk. Some others prefer real grass, transplanted | | | | Foxtail, Stonewort and Crystalwort are among |
| from the lake, river, pond and wetlands or from | | | | the favourite plants for fish eggs, young |
| an aquarium plantation. | | | | live-bearers and baby fish. |
| Plenty of folks would rather have manufactured | | | | As a decor, the grass can be the centrepiece. It |
| plants or artificial grass made in various different | | | | may also serve as a foreground or background. |
| materials. There are also real grass form lakes, | | | | The Four-Leaf Clover usually grows up to two |
| rivers, seas and other areas that many people | | | | inches high that it makes a pretty front grass, |
| prefer. There are advantages and disadvantages | | | | while the flowering Eel Grass and the Corkscrew |
| in choosing either the live version or the imitation. | | | | are highly recommended as background grasses. |
| Of course, nothing beats real grass and that is | | | | Grasses like the Salvinia and Duckweed are good |
| why many aquarium owners who love the hobby, | | | | top cover while the Micro-Sword Grass makes a |
| always aim to get the real grass for their | | | | magnificent foreground especially when coupled |
| aquariums. | | | | with a high intensity of light. Different types of |
| Artificial grass is easier to maintain than the real | | | | Udwigia and Cryptocoryne are great choices |
| grass simply because it does not need light like | | | | regarding the instances where light can affect the |
| real plants do, and it does not decay over time | | | | shape and color of a plant. For Goldfish bowls, the |
| nor contribute to fish tank problems like ammonia | | | | Anacharis plant is a wonderful treat. |
| build up. The fake grass is not subject to change | | | | Your fish and pets can live and breed in comfort |
| in color, size and general appearance. | | | | in a pleasant and wholesome environment with |
| Give your new artificial grass a light bath in slightly | | | | grass and the grass can bring hour of blissful |
| salty water before you put them in your | | | | watching for your family. |
| aquarium. It functions as a major decoration in the | | | | Grass is grown from a few sources that are |
| tank while the fish can use it as a playing field and | | | | transferable to an aquarium thru a store which |
| a nice hiding place, but not as food. You will have | | | | are, from the ground on grass farms or in pots |
| problems with your tank water if you use any | | | | or floats and also can come in solo blades or in |
| imitation grasses or plants made with metal wires | | | | bunches. With artificial grass, you only have to |
| or toxic elements, so beware of what the fake | | | | consider the shape and color in selecting the type |
| stuff is made out of. Make sure that the grass is | | | | that you will add. With real grass, you have to |
| especially manufactured for use in an aquarium | | | | anticipate the size and appearance of the plant as |
| and no other application. | | | | it matures. |
| Real grass on the other hand requires patient | | | | While both artificial grass and real grass have |
| hands and eyes to maintain. It reacts to light, | | | | unique beauty, they have their pros and cons. The |
| water temperature and the general activity of the | | | | bottom-line is that it is still better to invest your |
| aquarium. the live organisms in the tank like the | | | | money, effort and time for something that is real |
| rocks and coral as well as the other plants and | | | | and is capable of completing the biological function |
| the fish contantly interact with real grass in your | | | | of your aquariums mini-ecosystem. |
| aquarium. Your aquariums entire ecosystem | | | | Its a sound idea to get grass for your tank for |
| benefits because it produces oxygen and soaks | | | | the benefit of helping create an ecosystem in |
| up carbon dioxide which helps stabilize your fish | | | | your aquarium but also , it gives a nice thick and |
| tank. | | | | rich look to your fish tank which will keep eyes |
| Being active, live grass can help break down | | | | locked on the scene and maybe make you a |
| bacteria and make the removal of waste more | | | | hero. |