Which plants to choose for a freshwater aquarium?

 

 Fascinated by aquatic species, humans have been raising fish since ancient times to contemplate them.

 A study from the University of Maryland (USA) has even shown that watching fish evolve in an aquarium represents a real health benefit on a daily basis, by lowering blood pressure and slowing the heart rate. And thanks to technological advances, today, owning an aquarium is accessible to everyone.

Moreover, an aquarium can be a pleasant educational tool: by involving a young child in the maintenance of the aquarium, it helps to instill in him the notion of responsibility towards living beings.

 Your first freshwater aquarium

For a first aquarium, it is recommended to choose one of 100 liters. Indeed, the larger the volume of water, the easier it is to maintain the water balance. But 100 liters is a good compromise to start with.

 You will have to recreate a homogeneous environment by choosing plants, fish, and even other aquatic freshwater species that are compatible with each other.

 It is important to realize that aquarium keeping is a serious business. It is a costly and time consuming activity. But most importantly, the well-being and very life of the species that will populate your aquarium depend entirely on your actions.

The role of plants in the aquarium

The plants present in an aquarium have several roles.

 The first is aesthetic, as plants decorate and hide the technical parts of the aquarium.

 The second is to help maintain the water quality of the aquarium. Fish and microorganisms produce waste products, such as ammonia and nitrite. The plants then absorb some of these wastes for their own growth and contribute to the oxygenation of the water (provided they are sufficiently lit).

 Finally, the third role of plants is to contribute to the well-being of fish by providing them with shelter. By hiding there, they find behaviors close to their natural behaviors, which reduces their stress. Some species even really need plants to reproduce.

Choosing plants for your freshwater aquarium

Most aquatic plants are grown out of water and often look different once they are immersed in water. It is important to know that the plant needs a little time (4 to 5 weeks) to adapt to its new environment and take on the appearance that seduced you on the photos.

 To select the few species that will occupy your freshwater aquarium, you will have to read carefully the description of the ones you like in order to know :

 the quality of the water they can tolerate (pH, hardness and temperature of the water),

• their needs in light and fertilization,
• their resistance to the fish species present,
• their final height to know where to place them in the aquarium,
• their growth rate.

Too many plants can make the aquarium look messy and can even take up space from the fish.

It is recommended to choose a limited number of plant species, and even to opt for several plants within a single species, combining slow and fast growing plants.

 

8 aquatic plants to know for a freshwater aquarium

In the Araceae family, the Anubia barteri nana is a small variety with large, oval, dark green leaves that doesn't care much about water quality and light quantity. That's why it can be found in any type of aquarium, especially since it resists phytophagous fish such as goldfish. It tolerates temperatures between 20 and 30°C.

Microsorums are a family of plants that are generally undemanding and adaptable to any environment. Slow growing, they grow without soil, needing only a rock or a root to fix themselves. They are also resistant to herbivorous fish. Among them, the Microsorum pteropus is particularly tolerant, supporting a weak lighting, a range of temperatures included between 16 and 30°C, and little fertilization. It forms dense bushes of elongated and pointed leaves of tender green color.

 Some Cryptocorynes require only low to moderate light. Some of them can also adapt to hard water. The temperature range where they feel comfortable is between 20 and 33 °C. Cryptocoryne wendtii is said to be the most versatile of the aquarium plants. It forms bushes of elongated, pointed leaves that are green on the top and brown underneath.

 Echinodorus need a temperature between 22 and 28°C. Fast growing, they need a regular supply of iron to keep their vitality and their color. Among them, the Echinodorus amazonicus is a resistant plant which requires however an intense lighting. It is tender green and its leaves are elongated and slightly cut.

 In the Acanthaceae family, the Hygrophila polysperma is a plant that adapts to all aquariums. Its growth is very fast which makes it almost indispensable in a new aquarium, where it must compete with algae. But it is necessary to watch it well so that it does not become too invasive and does not create too much shade. In water temperatures between 22 and 30 °C, it spreads out in height and forms sets of small, elongated, soft green leaves.

 Limnophilia adapt their foliage to their environment. A strong light is essential for a good growth. If their tips turn brown, it is because they lack light. Among them, Limnophila sessiliflora is particularly widespread because it grows at an exceptionally fast rate, which makes it a choice element to fight against algae. It requires only medium light but nutrient-rich soil, as well as a temperature between 22 and 28°C. It forms bushy bushes and its shape is reminiscent of parsley.

 Vallisneria spiralis belongs to the family of Hydrocharitaceae. It is also a plant with very fast growth. Its long stems form a wall, so it should be placed at the bottom of the aquarium. It adapts to many conditions, supporting temperatures between 15 and 32°C.

 The Vesicularia dubyana of the Hypnaceae family looks like a moss. It accepts a wide range of temperatures, between 15 and 28°C, and will gradually cover the decorations or the floor of the aquarium. It serves as a shelter for fry and young shrimps. It must be monitored because filamentous algae that could get caught in this plant will be very difficult to remove afterward.

 

Caring for plants in a freshwater aquarium

To care for your aquatic plants, you will need to make sure that they receive the necessary light and food, remove dead leaves. By changing the water in the aquarium regularly, you will protect them from algae that would prevent them from performing photosynthesis. The maintenance of the plants also requires a well-dosed food for the fish to preserve the balance of the water.