Undoubted attribute of the aquarium, regardless of its size and what fish it lives in, are plants. They not only decorate the aquarium interior, but also act as important elements of the mini-ecosystem. Many species of aquarium plants are conventionally divided into three groups.
Plants floating on the surface of water
Such plants can both really rest on the water surface, and a little go under it. They are characterized by their rapid growth and good adaptability. What aquarium plants are related to floating on the water surface?
Hardly the most common of the plants of this type is duckweed . It goes as an addition to the stern for many fish, and also forms a shadow for the vegetation of the lower layer. Duckweed is unpretentious to the water temperature and its quality. All she needs is a smooth surface of water and more light.
Another example is azoall . This is a tiny American fern, by the fall of green becoming red. His delicate interlacing of small leaves, somewhat reminiscent of flowers when viewed from above, very quickly expand in breadth. Azolla is somewhat less whimsical to light than duckweed, but does not tolerate low temperatures.
Plants floating in the water column
Large leaf blades of these plants have exceptional abilities for regeneration. This group has an important duty to eliminate natural debris - both organic and inorganic origin - inevitably appearing in the aquarium water.
Nayas is a water grass with long branchy stems. This is a fairly fragile, but very tenacious plant. In the networks formed by the leaves of the Nayas, fry of fishes like to hide themselves. Specific requirements for lighting , as well as temperature and water hardness, this plant does not show, which explains its popularity among aquarists.
This aquarium plant, like a sparkle , consists of the main stem and numerous filiform stems that leave it. This beautiful plant is also suitable for spawning fish in it, but it requires careful handling, since it gives off poisonous substances when damaged. Also, it does not tolerate frequent displacements and long-term out-of- water conditions .
Plants growing in aquarium soil
That's where you can find a variety of shapes and sizes. Branched stems of some of these aquarium plants can even be crowned with flowers. This last species is represented by such plants as, for example, vallisneria and sagittaria.
Wallisneria
is a saturated green leaf of the leaves, growing as a bush. This plant is undemanding to external conditions, but to place it stands behind other fixed elements of the aquarium interior or in the side of the aquarium. Otherwise, the long leaves of the vallisneria will cover the entire panorama.
Sagittarius looks more solid than vallisneria, due to shorter curved leaves. It grows well when there is space free from neighbors. Approaching for any aquarium with comparatively warm water, the sagittaria can bloom with delicate white flowers.
Living or artificial plants?
We considered only living aquarium plants. But the plastic plants have their advantages: they are indifferent to the composition of water, lighting, the system of carbon dioxide supply to the aquarium and many other subtleties. In addition, they are unlikely to be eaten by fish.
Not wishing to unequivocally determine as the best live or, on the contrary, artificial aquarium plants, we only note that the choice in favor of the latter should be done if you prefer to create an aquarium interior at a time; The first will be appreciated by lovers of naturalness, who have good patience.