How To Choose Plants For Your Aquarium
Some people choose to place artificial plants in their tanks because they do not require any care requirements. However, natural ones have many benefits for fish, whether they are in cold or warm water, so in this article we will give you some tips to choose the plants for your aquarium.
The importance of plants for your aquarium
As a first measure you should know that natural plants have a very important function in the aquarium: provide oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide. They are not only a decorative element that looks beautiful, but they also filter and purify the water from the waste expelled by the fish.
In the market you can find a large number of plants for your aquarium, whether natural or artificial. The latter have the advantage of not needing so much care or cleaning, as well as the fact that we will not have to worry if they grow too large and come out of the fish tank.
Fish, whether cold water or warm water, have a very close relationship with plants in natural life. What you place in the aquarium, which serves to recreate the environment of the fish, will make your pet feel ‘at home’.
Many species of small fish use plants to hide from large specimens, and thus avoid being eaten by them. They can even hide among the leaves as if it were a game, or to attract attention during the mating stage.
Plants for your aquarium: species and placement
Since plants play a very important role in the life of fish, we cannot take their choice lightly. Some species of herbs are toxic and can expel their dangerous substances into the water, which is dangerous because they can cause disease or even the death of the animals that live in the aquarium.
Therefore, the first step is to consult with the experts at pet houses or aquariums about suitable plants for your fish tank. Some of them are:
1. Hygrophila
2. Vallisneria
3. Echinodorus
4. Microsorum
5. Cryptoryne
The next step is to make a selection of the appropriate plants and also the quantity that we will have in the aquarium, since recharging the space does not allow the fish to develop properly .
Another factor that we must take into account is the climatic condition of the fish tank, because it is not the same if the water is tropical, cold, sweet or salty. In addition, some species of aquatic plants require more light and, conversely, others are adapted to darker environments.
For its part, ‘landscaping’ can also help you when choosing plants for your aquarium: it all depends on what decoration you want it to have. Nor should you forget the number of fish that live in that environment, as the leaves could hinder their movements or generate fights between the specimens.
Once you have chosen the appropriate types and quantity of plants, and have decided the decoration that you will give to your aquarium, it is time to plant them, just as you would in your home garden.
We recommend that before putting them in the water you rinse them a little to remove dirt or any substance that could make your fish sick. It never hurts to take a look to check and make sure there are no insects or diseases that get into the water.
The fish should be kept in a smaller aquarium for the duration of the ‘gardening’ work, in order to avoid stressing them or making the task difficult. To fix the roots to the base of the tank, it is best to have a layer of sand of approximately eight centimeters, because that way they will not rise with the movement of the water. Also pay attention that the largest leaves are not left outside the tank.
Slowly return the fish to their habitat and pay attention to how they relate to their new companions. At first they may fear them or do not want to approach them, but as the days go by they will realize that they serve to hide or search for food. Lastly, allow a week or two for the plants to acclimate and survive the transplant.
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Main image source: Hugo A. Quintero G.
