Aquarium plants
Aquarium Plants, They are totally beneficial to maintain the fragile ecosystem created inside an aquarium. Enter plants in the aquarium has large beneficial effects on fish health, as kept under control nitrate levels produced by the excretions, besides producing complementarily oxygenation of the water and mashed alternative, essential for fish life. Aquarium for aquatic plants are all benefits. Sometimes, They are alternative food source, as some fish consume, but there is another beneficial effect usually happens unnoticed and I have to do with the health of fish, as offer protection and privacy necessary, that otherwise they would not have and increase your stress levels.
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¿Cuáles are the best plants for aquarium?
The wide variety of available plants can reach a certain cause confusion and nervousness, because when you're riding your aquarium, You want the plants chosen are correct, therefore purely aesthetic function, but also from the functional point of view of the aquarium. Are looking for the last assembly is harmonious, but both the choice of plants does not generate a maintenance problem, especially since you can get to grow both, you have to be constantly watching for aquarium plants chosen not end up with the balance of the aquarium. We think that There are a variety of plants that could be considered wildcard, They are serving for all types of aquariums, while others are more specific and useful or suitable for certain species of fish.
¿Cómo choose the best aquarium plants?
What caused me to my confusion when choosing plants, are the strange names that put them aquarium plants, I know they are scientific names, but I was a bit overwhelmed. I defend better when plants have a vulgar name, easier to pronounce and find. A moving force and seek, I got some familiarity with the names and I are no longer so rare. I also discovered advantages and disadvantages for each plant species, finding that may be beneficial depends on the wants, or location that will have inside the aquarium.
Plants that benefit the cycling process
The first thing to understand about plants is that, involved in what is called the process or cycle Nitrogen. Nitrogen occurs in water for fish depositions (generate ammonium, nitrites and nitrates), the decomposition of food scraps and plants themselves. This organic nitrogen It decomposes by the action of bacteria and fungi in the presence of Oxygen, to which it is very beneficial for the presence of plants in the aquarium. In addition to Oxygen, in the cycling of water bacteria and fungi involved, which at first they are not present in the aquarium, therefore we can not introduce fish until the freshwater aquarium has been running for at least one month, in the marine aquarium this process can be extended up to three months. To help accelerate the process of cycling of water, we must introduce fast-growing plants, generating a good amount of oxygen and also they consume much of nitrates produced by depositions of fish. In this list I have introduced the most suitable plants, I consider that do not require great care, and they are easy to maintain:
- Fox tail or by its scientific name, Ceratophyllum demersum. It is a plant that grows rapidly aquarium, It does not require a great lighting and CO2 are not necessary. If you do not know what this is to provide additional CO2 to the aquarium, read the requirements for a healthy plants further down.
- Ambulia, scientific name Limnophila sessilifora. You need more light than the previous, It is easy to care, It is growing fast and offers great showiness to the aquarium.
Ambulia
- 10 freshwater aquatic plants very beneficial midshaft and easy care
Plants that do not need much light to grow, ideal for beginners
Within aquarium fish, There are some who need great lighting, while other fish to recreate their habitat Pure, They want a more intimate, with low ambient light intensity. In these cases we need plants that can grow without any problems, with a low light requirements, They are aquarium plants I consider ideal for beginners. They are plants that They require little care and less maintenance than others. Most grow well only to have them submerged in the aquarium, They feed on fish waste (nitrates and phosphates) and with just a little fertilizer basic, will grow vigorously. Between the Aquarium plants ideal for beginners, we have:
- Java fern or its scientific name, Microsorium Pteropus. It is a plant that can be found in most freshwater aquariums, because they are very strong and are easy to maintain. Its growth is moderate and the like previous, They do not require an additional contribution of CO2.
Java fern - Anubias Barteri (is its scientific name) varieties glabra or nana. Just do not require any care, it is not necessary to add fertilizers, nor provide additional CO2, even if we did, the plant would grow much faster.
- Hygrophila Polysperma (scientific name) with a common almost more difficult name to pronounce, Dwarf hygrophila. It is very durable and has good vertical growth, although its leaves are somewhat small, forming a thick mat. It grows very quickly, hold low light or bright light, even if you have plenty of light leaves take on a reddish hue.
Plants according to the position within the aquarium
A starting in acuariofilia, we tend to think that any plant serves Aquarium, without taking into account an important aspect: aesthetics. Each plant has different growth habits, some are higher and bulkier, while others have slower growth. For the last aspect of the aquarium has an aesthetic sense, and also we can see the evolution of fish in the aquarium, plants should be placed in the aquarium following an order, first, plants of lower height and vigor, while the highest and most vigorous plants place them at the bottom of the aquarium, creating a plant screen. The set will be harmonious and visually more attractive. So, according to their size and their position within the aquarium, We can divide the plants in:
Plants front position
Plants placed in first position should be colorful and attractive, In addition to having a smaller size in height: porte aquarium plants under. Some are ground cover plants, so do not let just substrate sight, others maintain growth more messy, leaving enough space for the fish generate hideouts. It is customary for this type of plants are more demanding in their growth, need more light, newspaper subscribers, plus additional CO2 addiction, but not all, and I will try to generate a list of plants under less demanding porte, and easier to maintain:
- Sagitaria or Sagittaria subulata pusilla. It is a very easy to maintain ground cover plants, It is of medium size, You do not need much lighting or additional contributions of CO2.
- Glosso or scientific name, Glossostigma elatinoides. It is simply the best there is ground cover plants, although as negative parts it requires good lighting and additional contributions of CO2.
glosso - The Marisela hirsuta clover it shaped and depending on the light, offers 2 a four leaves. Average lighting needs and recommended further use of CO2. It will grow quickly and soon will cover the entire aquarium substrate, It is widely used to create landscape effects.
Plants of medium height
Aquarium plants of medium height They are intended to make transition, among the lowest in the highest floors of the aquarium and. They can also be used, if we want the bottom of the aquarium does not become obstructed, for example, in an aquarium that is visible from several points and is not attached to the wall. Some of the plants most used medium height are:
- Staurogyne Rubescens. It is a plant that will grow 5 Y 6 centimeters high, It does not require too much light, although it is recommended to add additional CO2, for proper growth.
Staurogyne rubescens - Echinodorus Vesuvius. Reached between 10 and the 20 centimeters high, It is very decorative solo for its curly leaves and if it reaches the surface can flourish. No need extra contributions of CO2.
- Dao-nam o Pogostemon helferi. Grows between 3 and the 10 centimeters high, It can be used as ground cover plants or average height, It has a very attractive form of star.
Plants to the back of the aquarium
At the same we've seen covering plants and small ideal for the front of the aquarium, which can be placed in the intermediate zone, too Other plants should be placed back by its large size. What is sought with these plants it is to close the aquarium, if it is leaning against a wall (the routine at home), we do not see that unsightly wall. Some place a poster or decorative vinyl, but it seems to me demasiado⠀ |¿Cutre?. Plants that are best for the back of the aquarium are:
- giant Vallisneria, The spiral Vallisneria Vallisneria americana gigantea. Its leaves are shaped tape, They are growing much too quickly, They are easy to acquire and adapt to any aquarium.
- Espada Mars a martial Echinodorus. Grows between 20 and the 50 centimeters high, with a width between 10 Y 30 centimeters. You need an average illumination high and although it need not supply further CO2, Thank you for greater growth.
Sword of Mars - Yarrow pen or Myriophyllun aquaticum parrot. They grow very quickly, They not need high light exposure and no CO2, even if we provide it will grow much better. She's very tall, in the wild can grow to more than 1 meter high.
Requirements for a healthy aquarium plants
To have aquarium plants in the best conditions, we must know that care need. While maintaining fish, It collects most of the attention of aquarists, no less important is Plant care, since no longer they are living beings that are part of the biotope created.
Lighting aquatic plants
Lighting is very important for fish, but also for plants. For photosynthesis can be carried in the inside of the aquarium, eIt s necessary that light comes in sufficient quantity. It is not necessary that the light is natural, almost all aquariums have an artificial lighting system, fluorescent tubes, LEDs or other lamps, getting generate sufficient brightness. ¿Cuántas lighting hours are necessary? The number of hours may vary from species to species, but on average we can establish that 10 a 12 hours, would be sufficient to recreate the illumination which would be subjected in a pure environment.
Color temperature
The plants are influenced by what is called color temperature, that has nothing to do with the temperature of the water. This temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin. An average temperature of coloration, It can be set in 6.500ºK. Depending on whether we increase or decrease the temperature of the coloration, plants grow more or less, developing differently. As an example, low temperatures, between four.500ºK there 3.000ºK, provoke plants grow in height, while from 7.000ºK, growth will be much denser.
Light intensity
Another point to consider in lighting, not only for the life of aquarium plants, is he emission rate shade (SHOUT). Values close to one hundred, We report a greater ability to see through the water in the aquarium. ¿Has ever heard lumens? Good, because the lumens are a measure of the complete amount of light seen easy view, a light source. In the case of the aquarium, the amount of lumens is recommended 30 per liter of water, so that the light perceived by plants and fish, is necessary. Nevertheless, these lighting needs fall into an aquarium with few plants. So it is interesting To make an evaluation, depending on the size of the aquarium (height, especially) and the amount of vegetation that includes. Many aquariums come prepared with their own enlightenment, but this does not have to be correct. In the market We can find all kinds of lamps for aquarium: fluorescent, leds, flush, etc, to provide us with the amount and intensity of light we need.
Substrates and fertilizers for aquarium plants
In nature the flowing waters have nutrients that activate and stimulate plant growth. Within the aquarium, the density of fish and plants, It makes it almost impossible that plants can survive without a nutrient, Only the remains of fish. In an aquarium balanced, some of these substances will always be present, but it will be necessary to compensate substances. We can find in pet shops, all kinds of specific fertilizers and growth activators, marketed in liquid or tablet, that are already dosed to the aquarium plants remain green and healthy. should always follow the marked dose by manufacturers, since at high doses, Some products may cause unwanted damage, like spoiled fish.
Aquarium plants and CO2
Plants get the nutrients they need from two sources, of fertilizers and soil CO2. In water, CO2 is existing which comes from fish respiration, usually insufficient to plants can be fed. Existing plants take CO2 and oxygen become, necessary for fish life. evidently, If there is insufficient CO2, we have to provide the amounts needed, to turn, Get amounts of oxygen needed by the aquarium and fish. further, the rate of CO2 is closely related, with other chemical parameters of the water, as its hardness and pH. One way to provide greater amount of CO2, It is installed CO2 reactors, existing both inside and outside, easy operation and solve all the problems arising from the lack of CO2.
Arrange the plants in the aquarium
The selection of plants for the aquarium is a matter of taste, but always it's interesting to get carried away by existing models. For perfect plant association, we must consider the panoramic view of the aquarium, placing the smaller plants in front, and the fastest growing in the bottom of the aquarium. The amount of aquatic plants available, It allows magnificent scenery. It is recommended acquiring copies in pots, they come with their own roots, ensuring a higher success rate. To better adapt, It is recommended to slightly cut the roots, before placing them in the aquarium substrate, for subsequently coated with a layer of gravel. If you are creating a new aquarium, We proceed to fill in two-thirds, for seeding process. Remove some substrate, digging a hole. We put the plant in its inside and covered with gravel. When all the plants are arranged in the order required, We proceed to completely fill the aquarium. If the aquarium is already planted and fish, to facilitate the task, we can remove some of the water.
