There are many factors that can affect the health of your aquatic plants. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to care for your plants and keep them looking their best. A few of the main factors to consider include pH level, substrate, fertilizer, and full-spectrum lighting. You can also use automatic timers to make sure your plants receive the appropriate amount of light each day.
Substrate
Before you add any aquarium plants, it is a good idea to rinse the substrate. This will reduce the chance of floating dust, which is unpleasant for the animal’s gills and unsightly for the aquarium. To rinse the substrate, you can use a bucket filled with water, usually five gallons. Although some substrates do not require this step, you should always do it to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and affecting the water quality.
Fertilisers
Fertilisers for aquarium plants are important for the health and growth of your aquarium plants. Choosing the right fertilizer for your aquarium can help you achieve a balanced ecosystem and beautiful plant growth. Fertilisers should be used sparingly and tested before and after the treatment to ensure that the plants are not damaged by excessive amounts of nutrients.
Water chemistry
Water chemistry is one of the most important parameters for your aquarium. Fish and plants require healthy water, so it’s critical to keep all of the variables balanced. Generally, you can use tap water, but it should be dechlorinated and have the right parameters. You also need to consider the water’s hardness. The higher the number, the harder the water is.
pH level
Regularly adjusting the pH level of aquarium plants is important to keep the water stable and safe for fish. A sudden change in pH levels is harmful for fish and can kill them. Adding stones and shells to the bottom of the aquarium will help to raise the pH level of the water. Aquarium plants also trap carbon dioxide and nitrates in the water, so they help maintain the pH level of the aquarium.
Protection from harmful pests
If you’re worried about introducing harmful organisms to your aquarium, there are several ways to protect your plants. One way is to quarantine your plants before you introduce them into the aquarium. This method works for both conventionally grown and privately purchased plants. It’s a great way to monitor new plants and check for parasites. However, quarantine cannot guarantee 100% safety.
Proper lighting
Proper lighting is essential to the proper growth of aquarium plants. For optimal growth, plants need the right color spectrum of light, and the aquarium light fixture must contain enough light. Ideally, aquarium lighting should have a kelvin rating below 10,000K. Marine aquarium tubes, on the other hand, will have a 20,000K kelvin rating. You should also consider the depth and length of the tank when choosing a light source.
