Aquarium Plants Bulbs
Live Plants for your Freshwater Aquarium
Freshwater Aquarium Plants & more!
The plants that you decorate with should be ones native to the fish’s original habitat. This is true even though your individual probably has never “seen” or experienced his native habitat first hand.
In general, five types of plants can be used in your fresh water aquarium.
The first type of plant is grown by bulbs. These for the most part produce rather large plants, most of which are far too large to use in a normal sized fresh water aquarium. These plants, such as the water lily and the aponogeton, are much better suited to outdoor settings, especially koi ponds.
Depending on the species of fish you choose, you may want to include plants that float. Floating plants make a great place for the young fry who need to shield themselves for protective purposes. Some examples of floating plants are Fairy Moss an driccia.
You may also want to use a classification of live plants called Rhizomes. This plant has a thick, horizontal stem with leaves sprouting on the top. The roots to this plnat are located on the bottom. The rhizome is used as a “runner” over the surface of the substrate. As it spreads, it grows new sections of leaf and root.
The anubias and African Fern are two variations of rhizomes. It’s easy enough to plant these. You simply tie these to the driftwood you already have in your aquarium.
You’ve probably seen the type of plant that looks like a crown with roots growing beneath it and leaves growing above. This is called a rosette. They cover the water by sending out runners and growing new plants as they go. Many times these plants, which include the Amazon Sword and the Sagittaria, also produce beautiful flowers.
A stem is the plant you find in aquariums with leaves growing from the nodes of a single stem (get where the name comes from now?). The end of the plant is firmly rooted in the substrate. The leaves come in several varieties, including single, paired or even multiple.
One of the most common of aquatic plants is the Java Moss. Also called the java fern, this particular species is a great starter plant. It’s a hearty plant that can thrive in a range of different types of water and pH levels.
Another plant that’s perfect for your first aquarium is the water wisteria. Like the Java Fern, this plant grows quickly. It’ll also help to keep the algae content in the tank low. But be careful. It has the ability to use many of the same nutrients from the water.
You’ll want to check out another hearty plant, the anubias nana. This remarkable plant has the uncanny ability to thrive in just about any condition you place it in. It’s a very pretty plant, too. It flowers underwater. And any of your fish that are herbivore won’t eat it. For the anubia nana to truly do well, though, you’ll want to attach this plant to a tree root or a stone.
The grass-like lillaeopsis is another good choice for your tank, especially if it’s exposed to strong sunlight.
If you’re truly ambitious at trying your hand at plants, consider purchasing the cryptocoryne beckettii. This is an amphibious plant – meaning it grows both underwater and on land. It does remarkably well underwater and it has the added advantage of being available in a variety of gorgeous colors.
Then there’s the Amazon sword – technical name is the echinodorus bleheri, if you’re interested. This is, without a doubt, the most popular of all aquarium plants of all time. It’s an easy plant to care for, even if you’re only beginning your journey in aquarium keeping. It grows fast. And it’s great because it helps to control the algae content of your tank as well.
Live plants can add another, more enjoyable dimension to your fresh water aquarium. They may require a little more care but the rewards are definitely worth it. You can start out slowly. And as you gain experience, you can expand the types of plants you use. Not only will you enjoy the experience, you’ll be making sure your fish feel right at home!
Gene Sower is a freshwater aquarium plant expert. For great information on freshwater aquarium plants, visit aquarium-keepers.com.
About the Author
Gene Sower is a freshwater aquarium plant expert. For great information on freshwater aquarium plants, visit http://www.aquarium-keepers.com
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GE 10908 Color Changing LED Aquarium Night Light $7.50 This night light cycles through red, blue, green, and multi-color phases, lighting the aquarium design which is complete with decorative plastic fish and plants floating in a fluid-filled tank. This night light can be positioned so that it will not block a second electrical outlet. A light sensor automatically switches the night light on and off…. |
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Marineland Eclipse Acrylic Aquarium System The top-mounted, three-stage system combines simple, elegant styling with superior performance efficiency. All water is filtered through the high-performance Eclipse Rite-Size Filter Cartridge and then directed to the patented Marineland BIO-Wheel. The result: 100% water-to-media contact for excellent water quality, and a healthier environment for plants and fish. Easy to install, easy to oper… |
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Sunshine Systems LEDGP45 GlowPanel 28 Watt 45 LED Grow Light $118.00 GlowPanel 45® – More than 4x more powerful than the original GlowPanel®, the GlowPanel® 45 LED grow light consumes only 27 watts of energy yet rivals the output of a 250 watt HPS. With energy savings up to 80% over traditional grow lights, the GlowPanel 45® covers 5 square feet and is suitable for all stages of plant growth. The GlowPanel 45® can be used as a standalone plant light or it can … |
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Hydrofarm FLT24 2-Feet Four Tube T5 Fluorescent Light System $85.99 T5 Fluorescent Light System 4-lamp Hydrofarm’s newest T5 System delivers performance, flexibility and high lumen output in any growing environment. These systems allow you to choose multiple hanging configurations to meet your garden’s design. They combine German specular aluminum with energy-efficient/high-output T5 bulbs and put out double the light energy of normal fluor… |
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Bulbrite 60A19PG 60W Plant Grow A Shape Bulb $1.99 60 watt 120 volt A19 Medium Screw (E26) Base Plant Grow Incandescent Bulbrite Light Bulb… |
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Starting A Planted Aquarium The Easy Way Do you want to take your freshwater aquarium to the next level? This DVD instructs on the intricacies of being an aquatic gardener. Learn how proper lighting, the inhabitants and correct levels of CO2 can mean a visually stunning and healthy aquarium. With lessons on nutrient rich substrate, aquascaping, pruning, and how to effectively maintain an underwater garden. Watch how to create a stunning… |
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GE 20996 65-Watt R30 Plant Flood Light Bulb, Plant Light $5.50 GE incandescent plant light bulb (#20996). For use with GE Plant Light Reflector Kit – showcase the beauty of your plants…. |
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Bulbrite 50R20PG 50W Plant Grow Reflector Bulb $2.97 50 watt 120 volt R20 Medium Screw (E26) Base Plant Grow Flood Incandescent Bulbrite Light Bulb… |
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48 in. Ready Fit T5 HO Light Fixture – 2 x 54W $159.00 Ready-to-go T5 systems mount easily into your canopy for plug-and-play action. Each one includes TEK reflectors, waterproof endcaps and a major-brand ballast. 1 year warranty. Bulbs sold separately…. |
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Single T5 Fluorescent Fixture with Bulb, 24 inches (2 Ft) $27.95 Great for orchids, seedlings, under cabinets, aquariums, etc. Add a Reflector Kit (FLT52KT) for more efficient light delivery to your plants. 50 – 80% energy saving on T5 compared to T8 & T12 fluorescent bulbs. T5 fluorescent bulb includes electronic ballast, clips and fixture |
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This entry was posted on Sunday, September 25th, 2011 at 5:45 pm and is filed under Aquariums. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
