How to Put Live Plants to Your Aquarium

According to the research, it’s essential to add live plants to your aquarium because of many reasons. There’s no doubt, they play an important role in creating a natural or close to the natural environment for your fish. They provide smaller fish hiding places to avoid larger or aggressive tank mates. In addition, these plants can be able to create essential surfaces for the deposit as well as fertilization of eggs. Now, let’s take a look at this post to learn how to put live plants in your new aquarium.

How to add live plants for beginners

Which plants you should choose

For this question, you need to ask at your local reputable dealer. If you choose the proper live plants, you needn’t add additional CO2 to the water. Instead, you will have a great looking tank. It’s best to examine the plants in the pet store first. Avoid picking up old looking plants with rotting sections or yellow. It’s better to choose healthy green sturdy leaves. We recommend you to look for some great beginner aquarium plants such as amazon sword plant, java fern, and anacharis.

Add substrate and gravel

First, you need to place your tank in the right place. Then, choose a planted tank substrate. In fact, most aquarium plants need this. Just allow the plant growth substrate to be half-an-inch thick across the bottom of the tank. It’s essential to use plant growth substrate because they can absorb nutrients from the water so that your plant’s roots can grow for a long time. In addition, don’t forget to add 1.5 inch of aquarium gravel that helps to hold the plants in place for a good look. It’s best to use a medium or fine gravel. Otherwise, uneaten food to slip can make the water dirtier.

Add some water

You should add 4 inches high water line. It’s essential to make everything easier to keep the plants sturdy. However, avoid disturbing the gravel and substrate. Therefore, consider a lid for a Tupperware to combat this. You can break the water ‘s power when putting this flat onto the gravel. It can also help to reduce the disturbance of the gravel and substrate.

Add your ornaments

The next step you need to do is adding the features of the tank. This will help to plant around them. Also, you can plan the final design.

Prepare the plants

In fact, you will get live plants in a pot and the roots kept in the rock wool or fiber wool whenever you purchase. Then, you need to remove them. But, be very careful when removing them because they are attached to the roots of the plants.

Time to plant

Once you want to add the live plants, remember to make a gap in the gravel with your finger. It should be close. Then, put the roots of plants into this gap. Next, use the gravel to cover around them. This way is essential to keep your plant roots stable. We advise you to add larger plants towards the back and smaller to the front of the tank. It promises to give you a better viewing experience.

Attach some live plants to the hardscape

For some live plants, you needn’t plant into the gravel/substrate because they are easy to take care of. You can add a java fern plant to a piece of driftwood for the best look.

Fill the aquarium up with water

Once you finish your planting, you only need to fill the fish tank up with water. Then, turn on the filter and heater. You need a net to help collect debris of plants. The fact is that your fish may be killed by the tap water because of its Chlorine. So, it’s important to ensure it’s always conditioned. And now, you have a new aquarium with live plants.

Care for Live Plants Aquarium

If you want to easily care for your live plants, you need to make sure the natural fish waste, substrate, and the standard aquarium light are enough to keep your plants alive. Also, it’s a good idea to add a drop of aquarium plant fertilizer when you change water.

Choose the right plants

It’s important to choose suitable plants for your aquarium. Make sure they can be able to survive completely submerged in water. You can consider choosing some easy-to-care-for plants as Anarchies, Echinoderms or Lilaeposis, and Anubis. Actually, most of the plants can do best at a pH level of 7 to 7.2.

Supply the right substrate

The substrate is essential for covering the bottom of an aquarium. It’s great to cover your plants with an inch of gravel. Thanks to planting your plants in the substrate, you will get a more natural look. Plus, the right substrate can help the root develop effectively.

Provide the right light

Your plants only can survive with proper lighting that is important for photosynthesis. In addition, the photosynthesis produces oxygen for the aquatic life. You need to light your plants 10 – 12 hours per day. For fluorescent lighting, don’t forget to change your bulbs every 12 months.

Use the proper algae-reducing techniques

Algae can compete with aquarium plants for nutrients. So, you need to remove them. You can apply Algaecide to kill the algae. However, this formula can affect your aquarium. There is a lot of herbivorous aquatic life that can eat your algae as a source of foods. In addition, you can also use an algae scraper in order to remove the algae. The best method is scrub algae weekly.

Use the right fertilizer

You should add a fish-safe fertilizer in order to enhance plant growth. It’s best to choose special slow-release fertilizers. They are made to aid in freshwater aquarium plant growth. Avoid using a phosphate fertilizer because it can help algae thrive fast.

Enjoy the right balance

Although you have to take care of your plants, they will give valuable benefits in return. Indeed, they help to improve the quality of the water in your tank. They offer also a more natural environment for your fish.