The Best Plants For Your Aquarium

Ensuring your fish are happy and healthy doesn’t stop at making sure they are fed the correct amount, and that their water is kept clean and at the right temperature. They also need an attractive and interesting tank to live in.

There is a nearly infinite range of aquarium accessories available, from sensible additions such as corals and plants to incredibly outlandish inventions. Plants can not only make your aquarium look interesting, but they also help improve your aquarium’s water quality, slow algae growth, and provide your fish with fun areas to swim through.

Here’s what to consider when choosing aquarium plants.

Artificial vs. living plants

Artificial plants do not require much maintenance, and you do not have to worry about them growing too large and taking over the aquarium, or hiding any parasites that could make your fish ill, while still providing fun hiding spots for your fish. However, artificial plants will not add nutrients to the water and do not fight algae.

Living plants provide nutrients to the water, are typically more impressive-looking, and can even provide a snack for your fish when they nibble on the leaves, as well as fighting algae and helping with water filtration.

But the drawback to living plants is they require much more maintenance than artificial options - if the plants start to die, they can add nitrates and ammonia to the water, so you have to keep them healthy.

Fish do tend to nibble on plants, so ensure you choose a species of plant that is safe for the type of tank you have. If you do opt for artificial plants, they need to be sturdy enough to prevent larger fish from eating them.

Keep in mind that living plants can sometimes carry parasites, disease, and other toxins that may be introduced to the water. You should usually quarantine new live plants for a bit in water with a small amount of salt to kill any parasites or other toxins. Dead plant matter can also give off nitrates and ammonia, so remove any decaying plant materials as soon as you spot them.

Some plants may have sharp edges that may scratch or tear at delicate fish as they swim past and through the plants. Run your finger down the edges of the plant to see how sharp they feel, and sand down any sharp edges.

You also need to consider the type of water that's in your aquarium. If you have a saltwater tank, you must choose plants that can thrive in salty water. Freshwater plants can break down in saltwater pretty quickly. On the other hand, living saltwater plants may die in freshwater and pose problems for a freshwater aquarium.

You can find both artificial and living plants in a wide array of styles, ranging from grasses that offer a minimalist look to dramatic neon-coloured plants that make a bold statement.

When selecting plants, consider the overall theme of your aquarium to choose plants that complement each other and the fish species, gravel type, and accessories like rocks that you have inside.

If you’re looking to buy aquarium accessories online, visit our website today