Why a Planted Freshwater Aquarium?

Having a planted freshwater aquarium in your lifeLet me start by saying that we are discussing
is truly a wonderful thing and contrary to popularhow to have "plants on a budget", if you have the
belief, they are not all that difficult to take caretime, the desire, and the financial resources to
of. If you start out right and keep it simple, itdive into the hi-tech planted aquarium scene, then
could take you as little as 30 minutes every twoI suggest you start with some in-depth research
weeks in maintenance and your rewards areas this path will become more than just a little
hours of peaceful relaxation.intense.
Including live plants in your design can beThere are three things you needed for a planted
accomplished cost effectively; they enhance thefreshwater aquarium to be successful:
visual beauty and will significantly improve the#1 - plants need to be attached to or planted in
quality of life for all your aquatic animals. Some ofsomething (with the exception of floating plants).
you may already have had living plants withoutPlanting - to make use of your existing substrate
realizing it, let's see a show of hands for those(that's your gravel, rock, sand, etc) buy plants in
who remember the one gallon gold fish bowl fromthe little plastic baskets filled with rockwool - you
their childhood with the sprig of Anacharis floatingsimply dig a hole, stick them in and cover them
in it?up.
A freshwater aquarium is a living, breathing,Attaching - Select plants that you don't (or can't)
miniature ecosystem; unlike the fish tanks of 20cover up, java fern and anubias nana are two
years ago, technology has developed to the pointexcellent choices that you attache to a larger
where we can sustain a piece of nature right inrock or tree root.
our own homes. Plants are a significant part of#2 - plants need light
that biological cycle - by including live plants in yourPlants are commonly categorized by their light
setup, you are actually leveraging nature's designneeds, expressed in "watts per gallon". If you
to reduce your workload and provide cleaner,have a 40 gallon aquarium and your light fixture
healthier water for your fish to swim in.accepts one (1) 40 watt light bulb, then you are
In a much abbreviated nut shell, here is how itsupplying one (1) watt per gallon. Stick with plants
works:in the 1-3 watt per gallon range and you will not
need any special supplies or equipment.
1. Fish take oxygen from the water and returnAssuming you have a light fixture, make a note
carbon dioxide - during daylight hours, plants takeof what size and type bulb it takes and head to
carbon dioxide from the water and return oxygenyour fish store - one of the store clerks will be
- perfect so far right?able to help you pick out a good light for your
2. Fish excrete waste in the form of ammoniaplants.
(highly toxic) - nitrifying bacteria convert the#3 - plants need fertilizer, notably in the form of
ammonia to nitrite (toxic), and then to nitrate (notnitrate and CO2
so toxic) - plants remove nitrate from theBe warned - algae is also a plant, too much
aquarium, using it as a food source to build tissuefertilizer and your algae will thrive! Your fish are
in the form of stems and leaves.capable of providing all the food your plants need,
3. Many plant species are edible, providing anas discussed earlier; the key is finding the right
excellent food source for your herbivores.balance for your specific setup, which can be
Now that we have established why you shouldaccomplished with a little experimentation. Start
included plants in your freshwater aquarium, let'swith a few plants and gradually increase their
talk about how you can accomplish this featnumber until they are thriving and algae are not, it
economically, or even better, leverage thereally can be that simple.
aquarium setup you already have!