Aquarium plants, much like indoor or garden plants, require regular attention. Unlike many terrestrial plants, water dwellers have the ability to absorb mineral substances not only through their roots, but also via specialized pores on their leaves. Plants grow and reproduce well only under specific conditions. The primary factor is an optimal combination of light intensity, macro- and micronutrients, and carbon dioxide. When setting up an optimal planted aquarium, it is essential to select a substrate material that contains a sufficient amount of nutrients right from the start. Most cultivated aquarium species are marsh plants that obtain most of their nutrients from the soil via a branched root system and only a small portion through the plant surface.
An aquarium is a closed space, and improper dosing of fertilizers or micronutrients can quickly push the concentration of a particular element beyond safe limits: the supplement can become dangerous to the aquarium inhabitants and even to the plants themselves. Under favorable living conditions, every plant reproduces. Aquarists most frequently propagate plants vegetatively. Continuous canopy management of aquatic plants is required, otherwise they will turn into a messy, overgrown garden. Trimming plants is an excellent growth stimulus as it allows them to shed old leaves and gain the energy and impetus to grow new ones.
Conditions for growing plants.
• The most difficult part of selecting plants for an aquarium; All plants should have similar requirements; Substrate is the most crucial component for growing plants; A characteristic sign of organic waste accumulation beginning in the substrate; The significance of temperature in the aquarium; Aquarium depth is an important factor for plants; Distinction between light-loving, shade-loving, and shade-tolerant plants.
Conditions for growing plants-2.
• (Continued). Different plants require different lighting; Water circulation; Water changes; Oxygen consumption; Old plants with shortened stems; Tuberous plants.
• Carbon dioxide exists in water in three forms; Free carbon dioxide deficiency; CO2 supersaturation of water; There are no incompatible plants in our aquariums; pH – KH – CO2 balance; Under prolonged bright lighting with a large number of plants; The number of fish and other aquarium animals.
• Without it, plants cannot absorb nutrients; Insufficient carbon dioxide; The cause of plant death is often; The optimal CO2 level is considered to be; Before installing a CO2 system in the aquarium; The main sources of carbon dioxide in water; How much CO2 do plants absorb? To always know the CO2 level in aquarium water.
• How to supply carbon dioxide to the aquarium; Compressed carbon dioxide cylinder system; Fermentation method using a yeast bottle; Electrolysis method; Chemical methods; Aquarium plant fertilization setup consists of; Pros and cons; DIY CO2 supply systems.
• Disinfection of aquatic vegetation; Recipes for preventive plant solutions; Treating aquatic plants against fish pathogens; Quarantining newly purchased plants.
• Shaping the canopy of aquatic plants; Continuously removing old leaves and cutting tips; Plant trimming is a great growth stimulus; Why limit plant growth? Stem plants grow relatively-fast; Cut plant parts can be used; Post-trimming plant care is also important.
Pruning and thinning plants-2.
• (Continued). Plants with shortened stems; Plants with elongated erect and flexible stems; Plants with large root tubers; Creeping runners with young plants; Plants growing on driftwood; Mosses and ferns; To maintain a good visual effect; Leaves that are too large look old.
Maintaining the created design.
• How long does an aquascape last? Curbing growth rates; Stem and carpeting plants; How to preserve the intended aquarium landscape? Stem-root equilibrium; With reasonably moderate intervention in plant life.
• Under favorable conditions, every plant multiplies; Vegetative propagation; Plants grow and reproduce well only under certain conditions; Propagation of each plant has its own characteristics.
Propagation by runners and stolons.
• Propagation by lateral stolons; Runner as a young plant; Plants taking the form of a creeping rhizome; Significantly better results can be achieved; Cryptocorynes propagate very well via root suckers; Plants belonging to the genus Echinodorus; Cutting flower stalks preserves decorative qualities.
• Aquarium plants with long vertical or creeping stems; The best time for propagation by cuttings; Plants propagated by cuttings; Cutting as a part of a plant shoot; The stem is divided into sections; To obtain new plants.
Propagation by rhizome division.
• Such plants include species; Cut rhizome or tuber can be divided; In a number of rhizomatous plants; When transplanting an old rhizome; Aponogetons can be propagated by dividing the rhizome; In bulbous plants.
Propagation by spores and leaves.
• Can reproduce using spores; Marsh plant species can be propagated using leaves; Another method; Plants forming winter buds.
• Alternanthera; Ammannia; Anubias; Aponogeton; Bacopa; Barclaya; Bolbitis; Cabomba; Cryptocoryne; Echinodorus.
• (Continued). Eleocharis; Elodea; Hemianthus; Heteranthera; Lilaeopsis; Limnophila; Lobelia; Ludwigia; Marsilea; Micranthemum; Microsorum; Nymphaea; Potamogeton; Rotala; Sagittaria; Vallisneria.
• When optimal vegetation is desired in the aquarium; Liquid fertilizer; Most cultivated aquarium species; Nutrient concentration in water; In case of deficiency of one or more essential substances; Improper fertilization; Unsatisfactory plant condition; Nutrient source for plants; Excess nutrients; Aquarium fertilizers come in two types.
• (Continued). In a new aquarium; A good indicator of nutrient deficiency; For normal development and coloration of many plants; Application of liquid fertilizers; Plant health can be determined by; Amount of fertilizers applied; Substrate root tabs are beneficial.
• Individual elements and their significance for plant organisms; Nitrogen content in plants; Serves as the basis for plant proteins; In an old heavily planted aquarium; Upon signs of nitrogen starvation; Phosphorus accumulates in the largest amounts; Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency; Potassium deficiency usually manifests as; Calcium plays an important role; Magnesium is of great importance in plant life.
• Plant nutrition requires iron salts; Iron deficiency symptoms; Characteristic signs of this disease; Tablets are convenient for iron dosing; Chemical water analysis in the aquarium; Copper serves as a constituent part; Boron is one of the most important micronutrients; Zinc plays an important role in plant tissue respiration; Plant development is impossible without manganese; Phytohormones; Auxins; Gibberellins; Cytokinins.
• Making iron-containing supplements; Ferrous sulfate is quite suitable as an iron source; Iron dosing rates; Fe-EDTA, Trilon B; Iron chelate; Extracting iron from screws; Making homemade fertilizers.
Signs of mineral starvation in aquatic plants.
• Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Potassium; Iron; Magnesium; Boron; Calcium; Manganese; Copper.
• Plant fertilizers by Dennerle.
• Plant fertilizers by Tetra and Sera.
JBL and Aquarium Pharmaceuticals fertilizers.
• Plant fertilizers by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals and JBL.
Tropical and Aqua Medic fertilizers.
• Plant fertilizers by Tropical and Aqua Medic.
• Plant fertilizers by ADA.
Zoomir and other brands fertilizers.
• Plant fertilizers by Zoomir and others.
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Selecting and planting aquarium plants.
