Freshwater
aquarium plants are a worthwhile addition to your discus fish tank. In a
well planted tank, fish have better habitat, live a more natural
life, and appear more comfortable than in an unplanted tank or a tank
with less habitat. Though live plants need more care than plastic
artificial ones, live plants can be kept with few problems as long as
there is plenty of light. Real plants do wonders for aquariums,
providing fish with oxygen and habitat. They can keep the water
chemistry more balanced, and provide scenery for you, and hiding
places for discus fish and other tank inhabitants.
Aquarium
plants make a beautiful well balanced discus fish tank, as well as a natural
home for happy fish. This will make the tank healthier, more stable,
and more beautiful. The benefits to aquarium stability and balance
are numerous. Aquatic plants produce oxygen through a process called
photosynthesis, they absorb carbon dioxide, and they breakdown waste
materials. In so many ways, aquatic aquarium plants can increase
enjoyment of your fish tank. Live plants can serve as food for
aquatic life and also provide fish and fish fry places for retreat.
Sometimes plants are not compatible with some fish that will tear
them up. Adding aquarium plants is not difficult. Once your tank is
set up, you will need to provide plant food, usually a tablet or
liquid fertilizer. Ongoing plant care will include some maintenance
and keeping an eye out for anything hurting your plants like aquarium
snails and other browsers, or plant diseases. With good aquarium
design and plant care, you will be rewarded with a lush, beautiful,
well balanced aquarium with beautiful plant growth.
Before
adding aquarium plants there are a couple of things to keep in mind
before beginning. One of which is water chemistry. Different aquarium
plants require various water conditions. Required water conditions
for the plants you want must be attained. You need to be aware of
things like ph, hardness levels and lighting levels for each plant.
Good substrate is also required in order for the plants to survive.
There are clay planters you can get to place your plants in or you
can even place some plants directly into the gravel. Experiment a
little, and you will find what works. Lightning for aquarium plants
requires different levels, usually measured in watts per gallon. If
you want your plants to thrive you must pay attention to this
measurement in order for photosynthesis to be optimal for plant
survival. Carbon dioxide is also required for photosynthesis. Carbon
dioxide can come from the fishes respiration process going on in your
tank. However, if you have a heavily planted tank, you may want to
get a carbon dioxide injector for your aquarium because you won’t
be getting enough carbon dioxide from your discus fish. A very important
thing to keep in mind before adding plants is to consider fish
compatibility. Certain discus fish are not compatible with live plants.
Save
yourself some money by researching the plants you want to get before
buying them so that you can determine their exact needs and whether
or not you can meet those needs.