When it comes to live aquarium plants, there are a lot of different opinions on what is best for beginners. In this article, we will explore some of the best plants for those just starting out, as well as provide tips on planting and maintaining them. We’ll also take a look at the benefits live plants have in an aquarium setting and discuss whether or not they should be used in small tanks.
Some images and products shown in this article are affiliate links, we may earn a small commission if you use those links at no extra cost to you, we hope you find the information useful in deciding if live aquarium plants are best for your fish tank.
The Benefits of Live Aquarium Plants
Aquarium plants have many benefits for your fish tank. They provide shelter and hiding places for fish, produce oxygen, and help to regulate the water temperature.
live plants also look great in an aquarium and can really enhance the appearance of your tank.
Live aquarium plants also contribute to keeping the water more healthy for your fish to live in because they will feed on algae and other unwanted toxins in the water.
This can be especially important for those who keep live fish as pets, as it helps to improve their overall health and well-being.
Should You Plant Live Aquarium Plants in a Small Fish Tank?
Many people wonder if live plants are suitable for small tanks. The answer to this question really depends on the size of the tank and the type of plants you are using. Some live aquarium plants, such as Anubias or Java ferns, do not require a lot of space and can be planted in small tanks without issue.
Other types of live plants, such as swordtails or vallisneria, may need more room to grow and may not be suitable for small tanks. If you are using a tank that is less than 20 gallons, it is probably best to avoid live plants and opt for an artificial alternative.
How to Plant Aquarium Plants
There are a few different ways to plant aquarium plants. The most common way is to use soil or gravel as a planting medium commonly known as substrate. Another way to plant live aquarium plants is by using Java moss or other types of aquatic mosses.
When planting live aquarium plants, it is important to use a substrate that will hold the plant in place and provide nutrients for its growth. You can buy soil specifically made for aquariums, or you can use regular potting soil that has been washed and sterilized.
Our recommendation is Tetra Complete Substrate
- For the lush, healthy growth of plants and reduced water contamination
- Contains sand with a naturally high iron and micro-nutrient content
- Conatins natural black peat with a high humic content
- Enables plants to take root quickly and make optimum use of the nutrients
Last update on 2024-07-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When planting live plants in gravel, it is important to use a substrate that is smaller than the gravel itself. This will help to keep the plant in place and prevent it from being washed away. You can also use aquatic adhesive to help hold the plant in place.
Place the soil or fine plant substrate at the bottom of the tank in the area where you want to plant your plants, cover this with larger-sized gravel so that the finer material does not get dissolved into your water when added.
It is not necessary to cover the entire base of the fish tank with soil or plant substrate, simply choose the areas that you wish to plant.
Your live planting needs to be pleasing to the eye when viewing your aquarium later so ensure you consider which types of plants you are planting, smaller plants should be located toward the front of the tank, medium-sized plants towards the middle, and larger plants at the rear.
Ask your supplier of live aquarium plants what size they will grow to before planting, the reason for this is small cuttings in a pet shop can quickly grow into large plants which could overwhelm your aquarium.
Aquatic mosses can be planted directly on rocks or driftwood in your aquarium without the use of soil. Simply remove some of the moss from its container and place it where you want it to grow.
Maintaining Live Aquarium Plants
One of the benefits of live plants is that they do not require a lot of maintenance. However, there are a few things you can do to help keep your plants healthy and thriving.
One of the most important things you can do to maintain live aquarium plants is to make sure they receive enough light. Most live plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day in order to grow properly. If your tank does not get enough light, you may need to supplement with artificial lighting.
As the plants grow inside the tank some light pruning and leaf cleaning can be done to keep them looking their best, but be careful not to overdo it.
Another thing you can do to help maintain live plants is to add fertilizer to the tank on a regular basis. There are many different types of aquarium plant fertilizers available, and most come in liquid or tablet form. Fertilize your plants every two weeks for optimal growth.
Some people choose to add live plants to their aquarium in order to help improve the water quality. Live plants consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, which helps to keep the water in your tank healthy and clear.
Keeping the water in your tank safe for fish also provides benefits for your live plants.
When completing partial water changes and treating the tap water to dechlorinate it, also makes sure the tap water won’t affect your live plants by introducing unwanted chemicals such as chlorine which could harm your fish and plants.
Here at Keeping Fish, we recommend Tetra Aquasafe for dechlorinating tap water.
Tetra Aquasafe
Turns tap water into safe, healthy water for fish and plants by eliminating chlorine and chloramines.
Top 10 - Live Aquarium Plants For Beginners
Java Fern
This plant does well in low to medium light and can look great in a fish tank, do not use extremely bright lighting or the leaves will go brown. This plant does well in low to medium light and can look great in a fish tank, do not use extremely bright lighting or the leaves will go brown. It’s one of the most popular aquarium plants in the world, thanks to its slow growth, distinct leaf structure, and reproduction technique. It is an aquarium smash hit due to its slower development, unique leaf structure, and reproduction method. Java Fern tolerates a wide range of lighting situations as well as a variety of habitats – from soft acidic water to alkaline water conditions.
Anacharis
This fast-growing plant does well in bright light and helps to oxygenate the water, ensuring that regular partial water changes are completed will stop algae forming on this plant. This fast-growing plant does well in bright light and helps to oxygenate the water, ensuring that regular partial water changes are completed will stop algae forming on this plant. Anacharis is one of the most adaptable plants for aquariums; Anacharis care is very simple, making it one of the finest plants for novices. Instead of worrying about keeping the plant alive, Anacharis maintenance difficulties focus on preventing the plant from growing too quickly and taking over the aquarium.
Cryptocoryne
This slow-growing plant is ideal for tanks with low light levels. This slow-growing plant is ideal for tanks with low light levels. They have several characteristics that make them ideal aquarium plants. Aside from the stunning variety of sizes, forms, and colors, many are among the most shade tolerant aquatic plants, and when properly looked after, many species are hardy, productive, and long-lived in aquariums.
Bacopa
This plant does well in medium to high light levels and helps to prevent algae growth, very easy to grow and very hardy. This plant does well in medium to high light levels and helps to prevent algae growth, very easy to grow and very hardy. Because they are one of the simplest plants to propagate, Bacopa will continue to thrive in your aquarium once you have a healthy and robust growth.
Water Wisteria
This plant is great for tanks with high light levels, it can grow in the tank or can be used as a floating plant, it is very hardy and easy to grow. This plant is great for tanks with high light levels, it can grow in the tank or can be used as a floating plant, it is very hardy and easy to grow. Wisteria has feathery green fronds that can grow up to 4 inches broad when cultivated under water. Its bushy form may be utilized to create an unusual visual texture in planted tanks.
Java Moss
This easy-to-maintain plant can be attached to rocks or driftwood with fishing line or an aquarium adhesive that is safe for your tank. This easy-to-maintain plant can be attached to rocks or driftwood with fishing line or an aquarium adhesive that is safe for your tank. Java Moss can also be used for carpeting an aquatic tank and as a supplementary food source for herbivores and omnivores. Micropredators also profit from the bacterial colonies that develop in their leaves. When planted at the bottom foreground of your tank, it looks it’s very best. It may also be used to decorate the middle levels of your aquarium.
Moneywort
This fast-growing plant does well in medium to high light levels and helps to oxygenate the water. This fast-growing plant does well in medium to high light levels and helps to oxygenate the water. An aquatic plant popularly known as Waterwort is a durable stem plant that thrives under ideal circumstances and may grow to be 20 inches tall; If left unchecked in high-light intensity, it will eventually rise to the surface of the water and continue to grow horizontally.
Anubias Barteri
This slow-growing plant is ideal for tanks with low light levels. This slow-growing plant is ideal for tanks with low light levels. Anubias is a popular aquarium plant because of its resilience and ease of growth. It features a thick rhizome, robust root structure, and hardy leaves. There are various species and varieties of Anubias; some grow well in the midground while others are best used as foreground plants.
Hygrophila
This plant does well in medium to high light levels and helps to prevent algae growth. This plant does well in medium to high light levels and helps to prevent algae growth. They’re great for keeping nutrient levels in your aquarium low without adding chemicals. They also have the benefit of absorbing nitrates from the water column as well as other extra nutrients, giving them an added advantage over chemical treatments when it comes to algae control.
Water Sprite
This floating plant is great for tanks with high light levels, it is very similar to the water wisteria plant but has slightly different leaves. This floating plant is great for tanks with high light levels, it is very similar to the water wisteria plant but has slightly different leaves. The plant can grow up to around 13 inches. This plant’s roots may intertwine and form a complex network that can reach 1 foot in length when floating. Many people keep this as a floating plant due to the lovely appearance of the roots. When a plant is floated, its leaves grow longer than they do when it is planted in the substrate.
Green Tiger Lotus
This plant is a bulb that does well in low or high light levels and can be used as a centerpiece for your tank, it is very hardy but should be trimmed back regularly to keep it looking its best. This plant is a bulb that does well in low or high light levels and can be used as a centerpiece for your tank, it is very hardy but should be trimmed back regularly to keep it looking its best. The Green Tiger Lotus has variable leaf colour from dark green to brown, spotted leaves and can produce beautiful red flowers. Pinch out the long-stemmed leaves on a regular basis, floating leaf trimming will encourage submerged leaf growth, but removing these floating leaves will prevent the plants from flowering, so if blossoms are desired, allow the foliage to develop to the surface.
Planting Aquarium Plants Into Substrate
When planting live aquarium plants into the substrate, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is the type of plant you are planting; some plants do better when planted in the gravel while others adapt better to sand substrates.
Once the substrate and gravel have been added to the fish tank, take care not to plant too many plants in one position as they will grow quite quickly and need plenty of space to spread out. When planting, use a chopstick or other sharp object to make a small hole in the substrate and then gently place the plant into the hole, making sure that the roots are covered with the substrate. You can then fill in any gaps around the plant with more substrate and secure with your larger gravel on top.
Once the plants are in position add dechlorinated water to the tank carefully, use a saucer to pour the water onto so that it does not disturb the substrate.
Fill to about 5 inches in the tank and check that none of the plants are lifting from the substrate before continuing to fill the aquarium.
Alternative Plant Decorations for a Fish Tank
Not everyone wants to maintain and keep live aquarium plants, especially those who have a small aquarium. If live plants are not for you, there are other types of aquarium plant decorations that can be used as a substitute.
Below we have listed some great examples of aquarium plant decorations that are suitable for fish tanks and are very often much less costly than live aquarium plants.
- Aquarium decorations set with 10 different species in package,it can bring different feelings to you fishes,all the...
- This Artificial Aquatic Plants are made of safe material,it's about plastic without any metal items,soft and do not...
- All plants size around 10cm Height with pedestal,heavy and firm,it's won't float around in the aquarium，offers the...
- ❤【Premium Material】Fish Tank Accessories is made of high quality Plastic Plants and ceramic base, non-toxic, rust...
- ❤【Perfect Size】Height of Artificial Plants is 9.8inch/25cm, Ceramic Base is 3.3 x 0.9 inch / 8.5 x 2cm (L x W),...
- ❤【Natural Color】Green Aquarium Artificial Plants, put it in your fish tank, Lifelike water plant ornament gives...
Last update on 2024-07-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
Adding live aquarium plants to your fish tank can provide many benefits for both you and your aquatic friends. Not only do they look great, but they also help to keep the water clean and healthy, providing a natural habitat for your fish. If live plants are not for you, there are other types of aquarium plant decorations that can be used as a substitute.
We hope you enjoyed this article “The best live aquarium plants for beginners” and found it useful in deciding if live plants are the best option for your fish tank.
