In Search of the Right Aquarium Plants
A cleverly decorated aquarium has the ability to enhance the attractiveness of any room in your home or office. Your choice of decorations doesn’t just depend on aesthetic values but also on its effect on your fish. Aquarium plants would be a good choice because not only do they add color to your aquarium, they also bring comfort to the fish by providing hiding spots for them.
There are two types of aquariums plants that you can put in your aquarium- real plants or fake plants. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. A careful study of both types will help you decide which is better for your aquarium.
Plastic plants are long lasting and very easy to clean. You only need to take them out of the aquarium and wash with soap and water. The colors are varied and sometimes even more vivid than real plants. Although you have to be careful about the too bright colors or it might stress your fish. Some of them will adjust their colors to a less vibrant color in order to be less conspicuous to predators. Better stick to the more natural marine tones to bring out the natural bright colors of your fish.
Another kind of fake plant that you can buy is the silk plant. They are more realistic but admittedly, more expensive than plastic plants. Just be sure to buy those designed for aquarium use and not the ordinary craft store variety, which might be unsafe to put in aquariums.
Fresh plants will give your aquarium a more realistic environment. However, like some of your fish, they survive only in specific pH levels or water temperatures. Determine first the needs of your fish, and then find the plant that will thrive in the same environment.
There are other more noteworthy benefits in choosing real plants over fake ones. They give out oxygen and use up nitrates in the water thereby maintaining some balance in the nitrogen cycle. They also provide for breeding grounds for some fish and can be the natural food source to some others.
Although, fresh plants may appear to have many benefits, most varieties have special requirements that may discourage some people from using them. Many of them need lighting and special fertilizers. All fresh plants need light for photosynthesis. The amount of light required by these plants may vary depending on their kind. A special aquarium fertilizer is also a requirement for most plants. You cannot use your ordinary garden fertilizer. This will most likely kill your aquarium.
Unlike fake plants, cleaning fresh plants must be done in the aquarium where they are planted. Over time, dead and decaying leaves will accumulate on the bottom of your tank and will reduce water quality. You can prevent this by pruning the dying parts of your plant and by using a special product like EcoBio-Block. This product can provide the beneficial bacteria needed to convert the organic wastes, such as decaying plants, into safer by-products that will keep your water clean and healthy. With proper care and maintenance, real live plants will really give your aquarium the ideal natural habitat that your fish need.
Tags: Fish