Why Choose Live Plants

Live plants provide essential benefits to a thriving aquarium ecosystem. They release oxygen through photosynthesis, ensuring a healthy environment for fish and other aquatic animals.

 

Plants act as a natural water filter, they absorb nitrates and phosphates, maintaining water quality, reducing algae growth, and can offer crucial shelter and hiding spots for fish, which helps reduce stress and promotes natural behaviours.

 

Visually, plants enhance the aquarium's aesthetic appeal, creating a more natural habitat for all aquarium inhabitants and play a vital role in nutrient cycling by utilising fish waste and decaying matter, thus promoting ecosystem balance. They also contribute to overall tank cleanliness by competing for nutrients and light, which helps control algae growth.

 

Many fish species benefit from plants as grazing areas, nesting sites, or spawning grounds, enriching their behavioural experiences. Ultimately, incorporating live plants into your aquarium fosters environmental balance, stabilizes water chemistry, and enhances the overall health of your aquariums ecosystem and boosts your enjoyment within the aquarium keeping hobby.

 

Selecting the right plants for your aquarium is crucial. Not only do plants enhance the beauty of your tank by mimicking natural habitats for your fish, they also play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by filtering water and promoting balance.

 

Here are some beginner-friendly plants we recommend:

 

Anubias "Anubias Barteri var. Nana" (Foreground to Midground Plant)

 

Appearance:

Anubias is a green aquatic plant that exhibits variations in leaf colouration from lighter to darker shades depending on light intensity. Its leaves are characterised by a velvety, rough texture. New leaves often appear lighter in colour compared to mature ones. Occasionally, Anubias may produce a striking yellow, banana-shaped flower stem, adding to its aesthetic appeal in aquarium settings.

 

Benefits of Anubias:

Anubias is a hardy plant that thrives in low light conditions, making it suitable for aquariums with taller plants that shade it or have low lighting. This plant helps maintain water quality by absorbing nitrates and providing shelter for fish and shrimp.

 

Planting Techniques:

Anubias can be securely attached to driftwood or rocks using aquarium-safe glue or fishing line. It's crucial to avoid burying the rhizome (horizontal stem) in the substrate to prevent rotting and decay. Positioning Anubias in the foreground or midground of the aquarium allows it to thrive under lower light conditions, benefiting from natural shading provided by taller plants. This placement strategy ensures optimal growth and health of the plant within the aquatic environment.

 

Maintenance:

Trim any yellowing or damaged leaves as necessary. Anubias grows exceptionally slowly and requires minimal maintenance, making pruning infrequent. Due to its slow growth, it can develop algae if exposed to excessive or hight light. To maintain its aesthetic appeal, gently remove algae from its broad leaves by softly rubbing them with your fingers or remove the leaf from the stem.

 

Plant Compatibility:

Compatible with a wide range of fish and shrimp species due to its sturdy structure and non-demanding care requirements. It coexists well with other plants and most fish types in community tanks.

 

Java Fern "Microsorum Pteropus" (Midground Plant)

 

 

Appearance: 

The Java Fern is a moderate-sized aquatic plant, typically growing between 15-30 cm in height, making it an ideal choice for a midground focal point in aquariums. It features long, narrow leaves that can extend to lengths of 10-20 cm. These ribbon-like leaves are delicately crinkled, imparting a graceful appearance to the plant. Java ferns are predominantly dark green in colour, although variations and cultivars may exhibit lighter or darker shades. The leaves have a smooth and leathery texture, which enhances their durability and enables them to withstand grazing and handling by fish.

 

Benefits of Java Fern: 

Is prized in aquariums for its hardiness, low maintenance requirements, ability to enhance water quality by absorbing pollutants, aesthetic appeal with its fern-like foliage, provision of habitat for fish and invertebrates, ease of propagation, and contribution to algae control.

 

Planting Techniques: 

Like Anubias this plant can be attached to driftwood or rocks using aquarium-safe glue, fishing line, or elastic bands. Ensure the rhizome (roots) is not buried in the substrate to prevent rotting and decay. Place it in the foreground or midground where it can benefit from lower light levels.

 

Maintenance:

Trim dead or yellowing leaves regularly to promote new growth and maintain the plant's health and appearance whilst pruning runners to control its spread within the aquarium.

 

Plant Compatibility:

Is compatible with a wide range of aquarium fish and invertebrates due to its tough leaves and minimal root system. It provides shelter and hiding spots for fish, particularly smaller species and fry, and is well-suited for community tanks. However, care should be taken with herbivorous species that may nibble on or uproot the plant. Overall, Java Fern is a versatile and popular choice that complements various aquatic setups.

 

Amazon Sword "Echinodorus Bleheri" (Tall Background Plant)

 

Appearance: 

The Amazon sword is a prominent aquatic plant in the aquarium hobby, is characterized by its robust stature, typically reaching heights of 30-50 cm or more under optimal conditions which is a perfect size for a background staple. Its deep green leaves boast a glossy sheen, enhancing their allure. In strong lighting and nutrient-rich environments, the foliage deepens to darker green tones, while lower light levels may yield lighter hues. Resembling a sword, its broad, lance-shaped leaves emerge from a central rootstock or crown, spanning 5-10 cm in width and creating a commanding presence within aquariums.

 

Benefits of Amazon Sword:

Amazon Sword plants are robust and recognised for their large, sword-shaped leaves that establish a lush background in aquariums. They serve as an excellent focal point at the back of the aquarium with their substantial green foliage, providing ideal hiding places for fish and shrimp.

 

Planting Techniques:

Plant the Amazon Sword in a nutrient-rich substrate. It is a strong root feeder and benefits from root tabs or liquid fertilisers containing iron and other micronutrients. This plant is best positioned in the background of the aquarium where it can receive ample light and provide shade to smaller low light plants such as Anubias.

 

Maintenance:

Trim old or yellowing leaves regularly to encourage new growth and prevent nutrient depletion. The leaves can be removed by carefully snipping the plant at the bottom of the stem without moving or disturbing the plant. Remove any debris or dead plant matter from around the base of the plant to maintain water quality. 

 

Plant Compatibility:

Ideal for larger aquariums due to its size and nutrient requirements. The Amazon Sword is Compatible with many fish species but may compete for space with smaller or slower-growing plants.

 

• Please Note: When introducing new plants to your aquarium, it's important to be aware that some melting may occur as the plants adapt to their new environment. However, with diligent care and following the maintenance techniques outlined above, you can expect the plants to rebound and return to their vibrant beauty within a few weeks.

 

You can also find more beginner friendly information, care guides and maintenance tips in our blogs section! if you would like to know more please visit how to set up your aquarium and aquarium care and maintenance!