The visual effects of a nice aquarium can be spectacular and most people buy aquariums because of this effect. In fact it has been known that people scan spend less on their aquarium and aquarium fish than they do on the decorative material they introduce to their fish tanks. Not only should these aquarium decorations be pleasing on the eye, but they should also serve the purpose of aiding in the balance and maintenance of your aquarium.

A lot of the decorations sold are plastic and not so pleasing on the eye. Before considering this type of ornament for your tank, think about introducing live plants to your aquarium which will actually benefit the overall balance. One important factor is that live aquatic plants are very functional and because of their normal cycle will add oxygen to the water which aids in the maintenance of the chemistry of the water. Beneficial bacteria will also have a place to colonise with live plants. As you should know this bacteria is essential for a healthy aquarium because it helps to break down harmful chemicals from waste material such as ammonia into beneficial products. The visual effect of live plants enhances the aquarium and also is great for keeping it healthy and clean.

So you have now decided to use live plants in your fish tank. The next thing to consider is which plants are compatible to the type of fish you plan to keep. Once that decision is made you now have to be familiar as to how they grow and what care they will require. The balance has to be correct within the aquarium for the plants to flourish. They require the correct amount of nutrients within the tank and the amount of light has also to be correct. The light that is in the standard lid of the tank will not be enough to promote healthy growth; therefore it would be preferable to add extra lighting. As well as extra lighting you may also be required to compensate this with a nutrient supplement. This will help reduce algae build up while the plant growth will be stimulated. Another way to keep the growth of algae down is to add algae eating fish to the aquarium without damaging the live plants.

Making the decision to use live aquatic plants should preferably be made before you install your fish into the tank. It is easier to prepare the tank by adding your plants at the beginning where you can allow them to become established. This serves the purpose of not allowing algae growth so quickly by utilizing the extra lighting and added nutrients. Different types of plant can be added at this time. It is recommended to use quick growing plants which you can anchor to the bottom as well as some plants that float. There are plenty of fish species that love to be out of direct light such as catfish. They will use the floating plants to there advantage and hide under it. Floating plants also add to the design of the aquarium and are pleasing on the eye.

If the live plants become established and you are please with the outcome on the design of your aquarium then it is time to introduce the fish of your choice. All type of plants require care wherever they are planted. Aquatic plants are no different. Caring for aquatic plants is no different from tending the plants in your garden. You should remove any dead or dying leaves from your plant as the healthy parts of the plant will be drained of important nutrients. Check for any plants which appear to be diseased and remove them as soon as possible. Also dead or dying roots need to be removed from the substrate as they will rot. If you have plants that are seeded you can use the new plant growth and replant it in another part of the aquarium if you desire. Remove the lower leaves of any live plants which are primarily stem plants. The reason for this is usually the bottom leaves do not stay as healthy because they do not receive the required amount of light.

Primary maintenance should be carried out weekly when you do your normal weekly aquarium maintenance. This is when you should inspect your plants and do any necessary pruning and removal of any decay. Scheduled daily weekly and monthly routines are definitely necessary if you want to keep a good looking healthy aquarium. The use of live plants will ensure your aquarium is in tip top shape and can be quite unique with your own special designs. It also makes a great stress free environment for your fish.

Aquatic plants perform a number of functions in the aquarium. They oxygenate the water and contribute to maintaining a balanced water chemistry. They serve as an additional site for colonisation by bacteria and may even help to seed new tanks with the beneficial bacteria required to break down waste products. However, plants are probably more often added because they enhance the look of the tank, while providing a refuge for fish. Well planted aquariums are a stunning site.
To grow plants successfully in the aquarium, you need to balance the amount of lighting with nutrient levels. Standard aquarium hoods often have only a single tube and this may not be adequate for most plants. If the light is increased, however, you may need to use a fertilizer or nutrient supplement and possibly CO2 addition to keep plant growth vigorous and avoid excessive algae.
It is unnecessary to leave lighting on for more than 12 hours a day - longer periods are likely to favour algal growth, rather than promote plant growth. Consider adding algae eating fish if appropriate to the setup, Otocinclus species are particularly suited to smaller planted tanks, as they will not damage leaves.
When planting a new tank, it is advisable to add all of the plants at the start, so that they become established before algae has a chance to utilise any excess light and nutrients. Include some quick growing plants in the initial stages. Floating plants are useful if you wish to shade part of the aquarium which will be left unplanted (or contain low-light plants), catfish and some others will appreciate an area away from the glare of the main lights.