Why Plants Make All the Difference in Your Aquarium

When setting up an aquarium, the focus often lies on selecting the right fish and equipment, but one key factor can truly elevate your tank is live plants. Whether you’re cultivating a vibrant aquascape or simply want to improve your aquariums water quality, plants are not just an aesthetic choice, they’re an essential element for creating a thriving and balanced ecosystem!

In this blog we will explore how live plants make all the difference, from improving water health, to enhancing your fish's behaviour, and give you some tips on integrating them into your aquarium setup!.

 

1. Why Plants Are Crucial for Your Aquarium

Live plants do far more than just sit there and look pretty, they play a very important role in maintaining a balanced and healthy environment in your aquarium.

 

Here's how plants contribute to the overall health of your tank:

 

Oxygenating the Water:

Through photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the water, this ensures a healthy environment for your fish and other aquatic creatures.

 

Filtering the Water:

Plants absorb excess nutrients, like nitrates and phosphates, which can otherwise cause algae blooms and poor water quality. They also help filter out toxins as well which contributes to much cleaner, healthier tank.

 

Stabilising Water Chemistry:

Plants can help regulate pH levels and other water parameters this creates a more stable and consistent environment for your fish to thrive in.

 

Providing Shelter and Security:

Many fish species rely on plants for cover and hiding spots!. This helps reduce stress, especially for shy or territorial species. Plants can also provide shelter and a food source for small fry and other aquatic species such as shrimp.

 

2. Core Types of Aquarium Plants

While specific plant species have their own characteristics, plants generally fall into a few broad categories that can suit different tank types and aquascaping styles.

 

Here's a quick overview of the main plant types you’ll encounter:

 

Rhizome Plants:

Rhizome plants, such as Java Fern and Anubias, are characterised by their unique root system that grows horizontally. They thrive when attached to rocks, driftwood, or other surfaces, and can do well in low to medium light.

 

• Pro Tip: Rhizome plants are incredibly versatile and can tolerate a range of tank conditions. Avoid burying the rhizome in the substrate! these plants feed on nutrients within the water column, burying these plants can cause them to rot.

 

• Tip: Due to these plants absorbing all their nutrients directly from the water column, it's beneficial to regularly dose your aquarium with liquid fertilisers to ensure it has the nutrients it needs to grow healthy and strong.

 

Root Feeders:

Root feeders are plants that usually require nutrient rich substrates to support healthy root growth. These plants, such as Amazon Swords, are nutrient hungry and do well in substrates that provide ample nutrients for their roots. these plants are also known as heavy root feeders.

 

• Pro Tip: Ensure your substrate is nutrient dense or add root tabs to support the growth of root feeders. They also benefit from strong lighting and liquid fertilisation.

 

Stem Plants:

Stem plants are a popular choice for aquascaping because they grow quickly and can be easily propagated by cutting and replanting the stems. Examples of these plants include Rotala, Bacopa, and Ludwigia.

 

• Tip: Stem plants grow fast and can help with water quality by absorbing excess nutrients which makes them great for tanks that might be prone to algae blooms!. Regular trimming may be necessary to keep them from overtaking the aquarium.

 

• The trimmings from these plants can be replanted into the substrate near the original plant to promote a fuller, bushier look. Alternatively, you can create a whole new planted area simply by placing the trimmings in a different part of your tank . This process is what is known as propagation.

 

• Hint: These plants can be challenging to maintain in tanks with bottom dwelling fish, as the fish may uproot them, causing them to float to the surface. Unlike heavy root feeders, these plants don’t develop strong root systems, making them more susceptible to being disturbed by fish.

 

Floating Plants:

Floating plants like duckweed or water lettuce are perfect for adding surface coverage and reducing light levels for plants underneath! this can be great for plants that only require low light levels such as Anubias, especially if you have a strong light equipped to your aquarium! Much like rhizome plants, floating plants can help absorb excess nutrients from the water column, making them an excellent choice for water quality control.

 

• Pro Tip: Keep an eye on their growth, as floating plants can very quickly cover the entire surface of the tank, blocking out light for submerged plants, this can be really bad for plants that require medium to high light levels.

 

3. How to Incorporate Plants into Your Aquarium

Integrating live plants into your aquarium can be a highly rewarding process, though it can sometimes be a bit tricky depending on your substrate and the types of plants you're trying to plant. But in the end, it’s definitely worth the effort!

Here’s how to do it right:

 

Step 1: Choose Your Plants Based on Your Tank Needs

 

Low Tech Tanks:

Low tech tanks are easy to maintain and typically feature plants that thrive in low light and require minimal upkeep. Hardy plants like Rhizome Plants (Java Fern, Anubias) are perfect for these setups, as they flourish in lower light and need little attention. These types of aquariums generally have low lighting and don’t require CO2 supplementation.

 

High Tech Tanks:

High tech tanks are more advanced setups that often include CO2 injection and strong lighting. For these environments, choose heavy root feeders like Amazon Sword or stem plants. Red plants can also thrive beautifully under these conditions.

 

Step 2: Prepare Your Aquarium

Make sure your aquarium is clean, the substrate is properly prepared, and any hardscape elements like rocks, driftwood, and ornaments are securely placed before adding your plants. Plan your tank’s layout thoughtfully, considering the maximum size your plants may grow to, the space they’ll need, and potential shaded areas where plants like Anubias may thrive. Ensure there’s enough room for each plant to grow and flourish.

 

Step 3: Plant Your Aquarium

 

Foreground Plants:

Small, slow growing plants like Rhizome Plants (Anubias) are best suited in the foreground or more shaded areas for contrast and texture within your aquarium.

 

Midground Plants:

Medium sized plants like Java Fern or Crypts are ideal for the midground. They don’t grow too tall, offering lush foliage and beautiful texture to your aquascape.

 

Background Plants:

Larger, tall growing plants like Amazon Sword and stem plants should be positioned at the back of the tank, where they’ll have plenty of space to grow and create a natural backdrop.

 

• Tip: Get creative with contrasting colours! Mixing plants with different shapes, sizes and even different shades of green can make your aquascape truly unique!, also by adding other colours such as plants with different reds in them alongside the greens can make the colours really stand out! The possibilities are endless, let your imagination lead the way!

 

• Pro Tip: When planting, avoid burying the rhizomes of plants like Anubias and Java Fern, as this can lead to rotting. Instead, secure them to rocks or driftwood. You can use aquarium-safe super glue to attach the rhizome directly, but only if both the rock/wood and the Anubias are dry. Alternatively, you can tie them to the hardscape using a rubber band or fishing line.

 

Step 4: Provide Proper Lighting and Nutrients

Ensure your plants get enough light to thrive!. If you have low light plants, use a lower intensity light to avoid algae and stunted plant growth, if you have high light plants, consider using a light with high intensity that is best suited for a planted aquarium. Also, depending on your substrate you may need to add liquid fertilisers or root tabs to keep plants happy, healthy and thriving.

 

4. Maintaining Your Aquarium Plants

Healthy plants require proper maintenance, and this can range from trimming to ensuring water quality remains optimal.

 

Here’s how to keep your plants in top shape:

 

Regular Pruning:

Trim dead or yellowing leaves to encourage new growth and prevent algae build up, each plant has a different way of doing this, so make sure you look into how to prune your specific plants!

 

Water Quality:

Test your water regularly to ensure that the parameters are suitable for plant growth and keep an eye on nutrient levels, and pH balance.

 

Fertilising:

If you're using a substrate like gravel, you may need to supplement with root tabs and/or liquid fertilisers, depending on the plants you’ve chosen, to ensure they receive the essential nutrients they need to thrive.

 

• Hint: Plants like Amazon Sword and other root feeding species will benefit from additional nutrients. Be sure to add root tabs regularly if your substrate lacks nutrients!

 

• Pro Tip: If you notice algae growing on your plants, gently wipe it off with your fingers or use a soft brush. Excessive algae can result from too much light or nutrients, so make sure you adjust your lighting and feeding schedule accordingly.

 

5. Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Despite their many benefits, live plants can sometimes face challenges also.

 

Here are a few common issues and how to solve them:

 

Algae Growth:

If algae becomes a problem, consider reducing the light intensity and/or duration. Adding more plants will also help compete for nutrients which can help keep the algae at bay.

 

Plant Melting:

Some plants, especially new ones, may “melt” as they adapt to new water conditions. This is common and often temporary. Be patient and keep your water conditions stable and the plant should bounce back and flourish in no time!

 

Slow Growth:

If your plants aren’t growing as expected, it could be due to insufficient light, CO2, or nutrients. Check that your lighting is appropriate and that your substrate supports plant growth!

 

6. Conclusion

Incorporating live plants into your aquarium brings so many benefits, improved water quality, reduced algae growth, and a healthier environment for both your fish and other plants. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced aquarist, adding plants can truly make all the difference! Choose the right plants for your tank, maintain them well, and watch your aquarium flourish into a beautiful and thriving ecosystem.

 

• Pro Tip: If you're just starting out, try adding a few hardy plants like Rhizome Plants (Anubias and Java Fern). These are perfect for beginners and can thrive in a variety of aquarium setups with minimal effort. As you get more comfortable with plant care, you can experiment with more complex plant varieties.

 

For more information on some beginner friendly plants we recommend, visit our Why Choose Live Plants? page in our education section. This page covers everything you need to know about caring for plants like Java Fern, Amazon Swords, and Anubias!