To set up an aquarium, you need plants that will create a biological balance and beautify the pond. There are a huge number of plant species suitable for aquariums, and some are so specialized that caring for them is no easy task.
Most species are easy to care for. We'll try to understand this issue and describe several easy-to-care-for aquarium plant species, including photos and names.
What types of algae are found in an aquarium?
Many aquarists worry about the care of aquarium plants. This is because caring for them isn't always easy. Often, most hobbyists buy aquarium plants at random and don't consider the proper conditions for their maintenance and care.
There are actually two categories of algae that can be roughly divided into two groups:good and bad".
The first category of plants thrives in small quantities when the aquarium water quality is good. Fish help control and manage this type of algae; they eat some of the aquarium algae. It's just important to choose the right water container. provide nutrients and create a light source.
If the water quality in a tank is poor, the algae will also become "bad." All aquarium plants are divided into four types:
- green;
- brown;
- blue-green;
- red.
Algae growth in an aquarium can be reduced through care and various methods. Most algae have water-purifying properties by absorbing minerals through their roots and leaf pores. They can also absorb calcium and reduce the water hardness in the tank. These plants are a real filter for aquariums.
Aquarium algae: names and photos
For a beginner aquarist, it's best to purchase low-maintenance algae species. They're easy to care for and require minimal attention, so they'll thrive in any aquarium.
When choosing plants for your aquarium, you need to take into account that all of them are divided into three groups: for planting in the ground, floating on the surface of the water and floating in the water.
This factor should be taken into account to ensure they thrive together. You can evaluate aquarium plant species using the photos provided and make a choice for your home aquarium.
Duckweed plant It's a wonderful addition to any aquarium. It creates a wonderful display in the tank and is very comfortable for the aquarium inhabitants. The only downside to this aquarium plant is that it grows quickly and covers the entire surface.
For this reason, light penetrates poorly into the tank. It is recommended to thin it out more frequently, leaving some vegetation, especially if the aquarium must be left unattended for several days.
Vallisneria algae Vallisneria can be considered indispensable for aquarium cultivation. They are undemanding and grow quickly. Furthermore, these aquarium algae are inexpensive. There are two types: spiral and giant. The photo clearly shows how beautiful Vallisneria looks thanks to its curled leaves.
Ellodeya, it is also popularly called "water plague"It grows rapidly upward and serves as a kind of biofilter, protecting the water from harmful chemical compounds. The Canadian species is good at oxygenating the water.
Hornwort plant It grows just as quickly, and the photo shows that it's a fir-tree-like plant. It's a seasonal alga, so it's best to buy it in very small sizes. The small leaves provide shelter for many small creatures.
Limnobium algae It closely resembles a lake plant. The photo shows that this aquarium plant is very similar to a small lake lily. It grows very quickly and is a favorite food plant for fish. It produces long roots, which are used by aquarium inhabitants for food.
Aquarium plant Riccia This is a fast-growing, floating, and vibrant aquarium plant. As it grows, it becomes heavy, sinking to the bottom and covering a large area. It's a good idea to tie it with fishing line to a rock or driftwood in the tank to create a beautiful island. This plant is also a favorite food source for many aquarium inhabitants.
Java moss It has excellent decorative qualities. It grows more slowly than other types of aquarium algae and requires light. It produces oxygen well and adapts well to aquariums of any size.
In large containers, it can grow up to half a meter. Moss is great for creating decorative arrangements; it can be wrapped around driftwood or other container objects.
Aquarium algae diseases and treatment methods
They can get sick just like the aquarium inhabitants. Aquarium plants often die due to improper care or neglect. It's not uncommon to see algae stunted leaves, scanty and thin.
The sprouts are growing upward, but they are pale, and the young shoots shed their leaves almost immediately. This is what happens most often. due to lack of lighting In an aquarium, plants can be cured by taking the following measures:
- It is necessary to lengthen the daylight hours for algae.
- When there are too many aquarium plants, it is necessary to trim them so that they grow more freely and do not interfere with each other.
- It is essential to lower the water temperature in the aquarium, as at high temperatures the plants need more space.
It often happens that the leaves of plants in the aquarium begin to become covered with holes, they a rumpled and pale appearanceThe leaf edges are uneven and curled. All these signs indicate a lack of fertilizer and supplemental nutrients. In this situation, you can take the following steps:
- apply fertilizer in the form of tablets under the roots of aquarium plants;
- The soil should not press on the roots or deform them, and should not allow them to grow.
When algae rapidly loses leaves and slows down in growth, then this is a clear sign lack of carbon dioxideThis problem can be helped by using a simple treatment:
- The carbon dioxide content can be increased by lowering the temperature of the water in the container.
- It's worth getting more fish.
- You can also build a carbon dioxide installation yourself.
The optimal amount of algae in an aquarium and how to care for it
Don't overfill the tank with plants. It's generally considered best to fill the aquarium two-thirds with plants, leaving the rest for fish and other inhabitants.
Algae produce oxygen and in order for them to be given the required amount of it more carbon dioxide is requiredIn other words, the more fish there are, the more vegetation there should be in the aquarium.
All aquarium plants in the container need in regular cutting and trimmingThis is generally done about once a month. Rotten parts of leaves or shoots should be removed. New shoots that appear are best replanted.
As orderlies It is advisable to get snailsThey will absorb decaying vegetation and thus partially eliminate the unnecessary problems and worries associated with caring for aquarium flora.
