Growing Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants are able to grow and survive in water. They can be from freshwater, brackish water or saltwater bodies. Aquatic plants are also known as Hydrophytes. Aquatic plants are the life line of water bodies. They consume toxic elements and provide oxygenated water for animals. Aquatic plants are three types:

1. Submerged plants

2. Floating plants

3. Emergent plants

Submerged Plants

Submerged plants are totally grown under water. They consume nutrients from water and anchor themselves to the bottom soil or any other media like as rocks or woods. (figure 1)

Floating Plants

Floating plants have two parts. Upper part is above water and root part hangs under water. These plants do not attach themselves to the bottom soil and float free on water surface. They consume nutrients from water and Carbon from the atmosphere. (figure 2)

Emergent Plants

These plants grow above water and their roots attach the soil under water.  Most of these plants are root feeders and consume nutrients through roots. (figure 3)

Submerged Aquatic plants can be live under water. Leaves of these plants are without Xylem and Stomata. These plants are also kept in freshwater aquariums and ponds. Growing aquatic plants in aquarium is easy. They add a filtration system in the aquarium. They have the ability to remove fish waster. They absorb Nitrates from the water.

Advantage of keeping aquatic plants in aquarium

a. They consume the toxic chemicals from the aquarium water. Elements like as Nitrate, phosphate etc. are toxic for fishes but nutrients for plants.

b. Fish release Carbon Dioxide in aquarium water. Plants take carbon and release Oxygen in aquarium. All the fishes/invertebrates consume Oxygen.

c. They provide natural hiding places to fish fry and shy fishes/invertebrates.

d. The plants provide additional surface area to beneficial bacteria. They consume all the waste, decaying materials etc and improve the water quality. In other words they play the role of chemical filtration.

e. Some fishes are territorial. Plants provide them safe and their own territory.

f. Some fishes lay eggs on leaf surface.

g. Live aquatic plant recreates a natural habitat in the aquarium.

h. Aquatic plants prevent the growth of nascence algae in the aquarium.

What need to grow aquatic plants?

Aquatic plants can be grow with or without soil. Basic needs to grow aquatic plants are:

1. Soil: Majority of the plants need some type of soil to root them. Most of submerged plants don’t need soil to absorb nutrients. They use soil only to fix them. Some aquatic plants like as Anubias, ferns, Hygrohila pinatifida, liverworts have to attach with rocks or woods. With time, their root system attach with the media. Mosses have to tie with rocks or woods. They can also float freely in the water.

2. Light: Every plant need proper lighting to complete the process of Photosynthesis in the way to make their food. Plant converts the Carbon Dioxide and water into Glucose by energy of light. Glucose is used to build leaves, roots, stem and other parts of plants. Excess Glucose is stored in the form of Starch in the plants.

3. Carbon: Plants need Carbon for the process of Photosynthesis. There are several modes of Carbon available in the market.

Pressurized: Pressurized Carbon Dioxide is the best source of carbon for aquatic plants. It is expensive method but most effective.

Liquid Carbon: Very popular to dose carbon from small to big tanks. But high dose can kill animals in the aquarium. Some plants are also sensitive to liquid carbon.

4. Fertilizers: In addition to Carbon Dioxide and light, aquatic plants also need several other elements for proper and healthy growth. Some of these elements are available in water as byproduct of fish waste, left food etc. But some elements have to add in the form of liquid fertilizers.  These fertilizers are of two types: macro nutrients and micro nutrients.

Macro Nutrients are Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus. These elements are naturally available in water in some quantity.  Adding these elements additionally depends on the number of plants in aquarium.  Excess macro nutrients are toxic for fishes and boost the growth of algae in aquarium.

Micronutrients like as Iron, Copper, Boron, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Zink have to add in the aquarium through liquid fertilizers. They are very essential for the proper growth of aquatic plants. For example Red plant need some more Iron to develop redness.

Role of Nutrients in growth of aquatic plants

a. Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen is a part of Chlorophyll. It is an integral part of living cells and required for protein synthesis.

The level of Nitrogen should be between 10 to 40 ppm.

Due to Nitrogen deficiency, plant leaf becomes yellow with low growth rate. (figure 4)

b. Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus helps to convert light into Glucose and promote the process of photosynthesis. Excess Phosphorus promotes the growth of algae.

The level of phosphorus should be between 0.2 to 3 ppm.

Due to Phosphorus deficiency, the growth of plants is very low. Leaves are full of green spot algae.

c. Potassium (K): Potassium helps in proper growth of plants and protein synthesis.

The level of potassium should be between 5 to 40 ppm.

Due to lack of Potassium, new leaf of plant is small in size, some tiny spots formed over leaves.

d. Iron (Fe): Iron is required for the development of Chlorophyll. In absence of enough iron, new leaves will be appear pale in color. Red plants need some more content of Iron.

The level of Iron should be maintained between 0.2 to 1 ppm.

e. Calcium (Ca): Calcium helps to transport all the other nutrients to all the parts of plant.

It should be in range between 20-30 ppm.

Calcium deficiency causes pale colored leaves.

f. Copper (Cu): The copper is responsible for the reproduction in aquatic plants. It is also responsible for the production of proteins and carbohydrates. Copper activates some enzymes responsible for the metabolism.

Copper deficiency led to whitening and twisted leaf structure.

Copper is very toxic for all the invertebrates. Excess dosage of Copper can be kill the invertebrates like as Shrimps and snails.

g. Magnesium (Mg): Magnesium is the essential part of Chlorophyll. It is responsible for the formation proteins and carbohydrates. In absence of proper quantity of Magnesium, the leaf may appear yellow in color near the veins of leaf.

h. Sulphur (S): Essential for Chlorophyll production and root growth. Lack of Sulphur affects the growth of plant. Upper leaves may appear curly.

i. Boron (B): The Boron is required to supply the Glucose to the Meristematic tissues and root tips. It is also plays the role in metabolism of plants.

j. Zinc (Zn): Zinc plays an important role in formation of ribosome and proteins. It is essential for the formation of RNA and DNA molecules.

Propagating aquatic plants

The propagation is the process to produce a new plant or daughter plant from the parent plant. Propagation is essential to reproduce the plants. Plant propagation can be categorized Sexual or Asexual propagation; Natural or Artificial propagation.

Sexual Propagation: Many aquatic plants reproduce them sexually by producing spores or seeds. Flowers of these plants get pollinated with the pollen of another plant of same species to produce seed. Sexual propagation need to have atleast two plants to produce flower in favorable environment.

Later, these seeds can be used to grow new plants. These plants are genetically different from parent plants. Sexual propagation transfers the traits of parents in new generation.

Sexual propagation can be used to selective propagation to develop new varieties or hybrid plants. In some species, sexual propagation is the only method to reproduce new plants. Sexual reproduction can also avoid the transfer of disease from one generation to another.

Growing plants by sowing seed is the major method of sexual propagation. Healthy plants produce seeds after successful propagation. Every Seed have three parts; Outer part is to protect the seed, Middle part is food reservoir and the Inner part is embryo or plant. Another way of sexual propagation is growing plants through Spores. Spore is a reproductive cell to develop a new plant with another reproductive cell. Spores propagate non-seed producing plants like as liverworts, hornworts, mosses and various ferns.

Propagation plant from seeds

Some of the aquatic plants like as Barclaya longifolia can be reproduce only by seeds (figure 5). Plants can be propagate using seeds as follows:

a. Take a container with damp soil.

b. Sow the seeds over the surface of soil.

c. Keep soil wet.

d. After a few days, seeds will be germinated. They will grow as plantlets in a few days.

e. Plantlets should be kept in moisture environment.

f. When plants gain a height of around one inch, separate them and transferred in water. Keep an eye on the growth of algae.

Plants like as Liverwort, mosses can be growing through a small vegetative part of mother plant. Subwassertang (figure 6) is a liverwort and it can grow through a small portion of mother plant.

Asexual propagation

Majority of aquatic plants can be reproduce through the method of asexual propagation. Asexual propagation is a method in which a vegetative part like as stem is used to reproduce a new plant. This is the easiest method of propagating aquatic plants. Most of the aquatic plants in aquarium hobby are reproducing by asexual propagation method. There is also some disadvantage associated with asexual propagation.

a. The new plants are identical to mother plant.

b. They are more prone to disease.

c. New varieties cannot be produced.

d. They are not always able to adapt the change in environment.

Easy to maintain aquarium plants

Aquatic plants should be choose as per available light, carbon and other resources. Water chemistry and temperature affects the health and growth of plants, so both the parameters should be consider when brought a new plant.

Foreground Plants

Plants those grow low in height are known as foreground plants. These plants are positioned in front side of aquarium.  Some foreground plant requirements are very high while some can be grown in limited resources.

1. Marsilea hirsuta: Marsilea hirsute is a very easy and slow grower aquatic plant. Height of this pretty plant is upto 2 Centimeter. It spreads through runners and can be adaptable to wide range of conditions. Even it can tolerate the temperature of 30+ degrees Celsius.

2. Hair Grass: There are some variants available of Hair Grass i.e. Eleocharis acicularis, Eleocharis parvula etc. It grows upto height of 10 centimeter. This is a grass like plant and easy to care. This plant needs moderate to high light, clear water and nutrients.

3. Glossostigma elatinoides: This plant is commonly known as Glosso. A very attractive foreground plant gains height of upto 2 centimeter. This plant need moderate to high light, nutrient rich water. This plant need direct light and softer water. In insufficient light, it grows vertical otherwise spreads speedily.

4. Sagittaria subulata: Sagittaria subulata is a very easy to maintain plant. It can tolerate a wide range of conditions from soft to hard water, temperature upto 30 degree Celcius. This plant grows very fast through runners.

5. Hydrocotyle Sp.: Hydrocotyle sp. Like as Hydrocotyle Honda, tripartite are popular foreground aquarium plants. They are very easy to grow, but needs medium to high light. These plants are climbers and can take over any plants, rock or wood. They require regular trimming.

Midground plant

Midground plants are used to fill the middle area of aquarium. Height of these plants varies between 30 to 40 centimeters or bigger in larger aquariums.

1. Anubias: Anubias is a very attractive and robust plant. It is undemanding and able to tolerate wide range of conditions. Slow growth rate, leaf structure, growth without soil makes it a unique and popular plant. This plant can be positioned at different place in aquarium. Anubias petite can use as foreground plant, Anubias nana is suitable for midground plant.

Anubias sp. Plants can be grown under shade or low light area, soft to hard water. These plants can be grown over woods or rocks so no requirement of soil.

2. Cryptocoryne sp.: Cryptocoryne species plants are hardy and robust. They can tolerate a wide range of conditions and very easy to grow. Different leaf structure, height levels make these plants very popular. They are one of the best midground plants due to some specific characteristics like as ability to grow in shade or low light, slow growth and adaptable to different conditions. Cryptocoryne  and Anubias  can be melt if kept in the same aquarium due to infection of a virus.

3. Hemianthus micranthemoides: The small leaves, bright green color, compact growth makes it a unique plant. This plant is very easy to maintain and consider as a beginner plant. This plant don’t have specific requirements and able to grow in medium light to high light. It is able to survive in high temperature upto 28+ degree celcius.

Regular trimming provides it’s a compact growth. Its height also can be controlled to make a foreground lawn. This plant is adaptable to wide range of conditions.

Hemianthus micranthemoides grows very fast and loves soft, clean water. Proper care and nutrients can make it a stunning plant.

4. Java Fern: Java fern is one of the most popular plants among the aquarists. This is very beautiful and hardy plant. It can be grow in soft to hard water. This plant loves low to medium lights. Due to slow growth, high light can be cause of algae. Java fern can be tie with rocks, woods or any other material.  In other words, there is no requirement of soil to grow this beautiful fern.

Java Fern have many variants with different leaf structure. All the variants are almost same requirements.

5. Mosses: Mosses are rootless non-vascular plants. They absorb nutrients through their leaves. Now days, mosses are integral part of modern aquascaping styles like Nature or forest style. Aquascapers using mosses to create illusion of trees, forests in the scapes.

Most of the mosses don’t have specific requirements except cold and clean water. They can be grow in low light and low tech conditions.

Mosses do not require soil for growth. These can be attach with rock or woods. Mosses can use as foreground plant over flat rocks or net midground or background plant by attaching rocks or driftwoods.

Mosses can be easily infested with algae. So they should be place in indirect or low light.

Background Plants

Plants which are tall in height are called background plants. These plants are grow along with the back wall of aquarium.

1. Vallisneria sp.: Vallisneria is one of the most popular background plants. This species have many variants of different heights. It is easy to grow and hardy plant. Liquid carbon should be keep away from vallisneria aquariums due to delicate leaf. They require low to medium light, low amount of carbon and nutrients. New plants can be got from runners. In proper condition, they grow very fast.

2. Rotala rotundofolia: The narrow and fine leaf of Rotala rotundofolia gives it a unique look. It has different color variants. Rotala rotundofolia is an easy to grow plant. It requires medium to high light with carbon dioxide and nutrients. It grows very fast and need regular trimming otherwise it will take over the entire aquarium within a few days. In favorable conditions, Rotala rotundofolia shows sharp colors depend on their variant. They can tolerate temperature upto 30+ degree Celsius, soft to medium-hard water. Regular trimming provides the compact growth.

Rotala rotundofolia gives a great depth in aquascape due to its leaf structure and colors.

3. Echinodorus sp.

Echinodorus sp. Plants are very popular from decades. They have different leaf structures, height and colors. Most of the plants of Echinodorus species are easy to grow in low to medium light, low carbon and low nutrients. They don’t require any special care and can tolerate different conditions of watter and temperature.

Echinodorus sp. plants are hardy and beautiful. They can be grown just by adding water and light in the aquarioum. Some fishes uses Echinodorus sp. plants to lay eggs over leaf.

4. Ludwigia repens

Ludwigia repens is a beautiful looking fast growing plant. Round shape with metallic tint colored leaf adds a unique impression in the scape. This is one of the best background plant for medium-large aquariums. Ludwigia repens is an undemanding plant. It needs medium to high light, low to medium amount of carbon and fertilizers.

This plant needs regular trimming. Its characteristics and low care makes an ideal plant for beginners.

5. Cabomba: Cabomba looks like as pine tree. Its leaf shape add a unique impression in aquarium. Cabomba needs medium to high light. In favorable conditions, it grows very fast and need to trim every week. This plant is easy to care without any specific requirement except plenty of light.

Plant Selection

Selecting right plant is the key of success in planted tanks. Aquatic plants provide a pleasing look to viewers, security and hiding place to fishes. Some fishes uses plant leaf to lay eggs. Plant also acts as natural filters. They absorb the toxic elements from water and consume as fertilizers. There are too many benefits of keeping plants. But wrong selection of plants became nightmare for aquarists. There should be consider the requirement and characteristics of plants, available resources, water chemistry, nature of fishes, layout of hardscape. All of these factors play an important role in selecting of aquatic plants.

Available Resources

Resources/Material used in aquarium plays an important role in growing plants. The Carbon dioxide, type of soil, lighting, fertilizers etc. should match to the requirement of plants. Some plant require high amount of Carbon, high light. Every plant have specific requirement. They should be match to the available resources. Some of the important requirements of plants are:

Light: Light is the most important factor for the life of plants. Different plants have different lighting requirements. Plants should be choose as per available light. For a low light tank, suitable plants are Anubias, Java Fern, Marselia hirsute etc.

Carbon: Carbon is essential requirement of plants. None of the plant can not be alive without Carbon. Although some plants can survive in low amount of carbon while some require to inject the carbon in gaseous or liquid form. Some ferns, Anubias etc. can be grow in low Carbon.

Soil: Aquatic plant use soil to position to a specific area. Some aquatic plants are roots feeders. They also absorb nutrients through their roots from soil. So soil should consider when selecting a specific plant. Some plants do not require soil and have to attach with rocks or driftwoods.

The first criteria of selecting plants should be depend on their lighting, carbon, and soil requirements. Selecting plants according to available resources is the first key of success.

Water Chemistry

Suitable water is the most essential components of aquarium. Several properties of water affect the plants and animals of aquarium. So it is best to check the water parameters before buying of a specific plant or fish. Some plants like to survive in acidic water while some plants are suitable for alkaline water. Some plants are suitable for brackish waters. Although majority of plants like to live in neutral water. So unsuitable water parameters can make a planted aquarium terrifying dream. It is essential to choose plants as per available water or use RO water in planted aquariums.

Some dissolved chemicals like as Nitrate, Phosphate, silicates etc. bloom the algae in the aquarium. In high amount they are also harmful for fishes.

Placement of Plants

Aquatic plants can be divided in three categories as per their height and use in aquascapes. We also divide aquarium into different zones or layers. These zones are foreground, midground and background.  To create the sense of  depth, plants should be grow as per their height.

Foreground Plants: These plants stay short in height and grows upto a few centimeters. Popular foreground are Glossostigma elatinoides, Marselia hirsute, Hair grass, Cryptocoryne parva etc.

Midground Plants: Midground plants placed in middle zone of the aquascape. Height level of midground plants depend on the height of tank. Some plants like  Cryptocoryne, fern, etc. are popular mid ground plants.

Background Plants: Background plants are placed with the back wall of the aquarium. These plants grows tall and completely cover the back wall of the aquarium. There are many plants consider as background plants like as Hygrophila sp., Ludwigia sp., Valsneria family plants.

Plants attach with Rocks/driftwoods: These plants can be tie with rocks and woods and can be place anywhere in the aquarium according to the height of rocks/woods. Mosses, Anubias sp., Hygrophila pinatifida, Java fern, Subwassertang etc. are the popular plants tie with rocks/woods.

Floating Plants: Floating plants float over the surface of water. Their roots stay under water ad upper part in air. These plants provide shade to slow growers and hiding places to fish fry.

Layout of Scape

Plant selection also depends on aquascaping style. Dutch Aquascaping Style mainly required only stem plants of different height and color. Leaf structure also plays an important role in Dutch Style. This aquascaping style require intelligent selection of plants. All the aquascaping rules have to implement using plants.

Iwagumi Styule uses low height plants like as Hemianthus callitrichoides, Glossostigma elatinoides, Hair grass etc. Plant choice is limited. Plants are used just to fill the gaps between the rocks. Iwagumi aquariums sometimes uses single type of plants.

Nature Aquascaping Style is creation of natural scenes like as jungles, waterfalls, mountains etc. inside the aquariums. Rocks, driftwoods are used to create the illusion of natural scenes. The aquscaping rules implemented using strong hardscaping. Plant selection depends on the type of scene created in hardscape. Depth can be created using the smart selection of plants.

Fish Compatibility

Some fishes have the tendency of nipping and eating plants. Some larger fish species like as cichlids uproot the plants. So it is must to select fishes carefully before releasing in the planted aquarium. Plants and fishes should have the same water requirements.

Visual Effects

Plant selection should contain different colored plants like as red, green, dark green etc. to create an attractive aquascape. Different leaf structure brings natural illusion is in the aquarium. Plants should be kept in groups.

Diagnosing Problems of Planted Aquariums

A lush green planted aquarium shows the dedication and hard work of an aquarist. Healthy green plants, crystal clear water are the reward of hard work. It is also a pleasure for animals in the aquariums. Plant consumes the waste of animals and provides the hiding places, food to many animals. All the aquatic plants have some basic requirements which have to fulfill to get the desired result. Plants are also the source of some unwanted animals, algae and diseases.  So always introduce plants with caution.

All the problems associated with planted aquariums can be eliminated easily. But first of all we have to know cause behind the problem. Let us identify some common problems and their effective solutions.

Problem: Algae

Algae is the most common problem for a planted aquarium keeper. Low amount of Carbon, high amount of Nitrates, Phosphates, Silicates are the common factors responsible for algae growth. Misbalance of nutrients and light is another reason of algae. Sometimes algae come in aquarium through new plants. Always soak plants in bleach for 3-5 minutes before introducing in the aquarium. Some precautions are required to get rid of algae.

Solutions

a. Remove any left food, dead animals, decaying plant remains from the aquariums.

b. Keep algae eater fishes, shrimps etc. in the planted aquarium.

c. Algaecides can be used to kill the algae. But they are also harmful for the biological processes in the aquarium.

d. Remove algae manually.

e. Check water parameters regularly. Water change helps in eliminating algae.

f. Hydrogen paraoxide can be used for the spot treatment of algae. It should be use carefully and it can be harmful for the animals of the aquarium.

Problem: Unwanted Animals

Every aquarist wants a clean and pest free aquarium. But snails, planaria etc. broke the dream of pest free aquarium. Snails and planaria infestation is very common problem in planted aquariums. Snail eats the delicate plant leaf. Snail and planaria multiples very fast and soon they appear everywhere in the aquarium. So try to remove them as soon as possible.

Solution

a. Most of the snails, planaria or other unwanted animals come in aquarium through new plants. So always check plants carefully for the presence of any unwanted animals, eggs etc. If there is any symptom of snail eggs, remove manually or chemically as possible.

Make a solution of Aluminium sulphate and dip the plants upto 24 hours to kill the snail eggs. Mix One and half spoon Aluminium sulphate in one liter water. Although live snails, other unwanted creatures will be dead within a few minutes but due to protective jelly, need atleast 24 hours to kill snail eggs.

b. Copper sulphate instantly kills the snails. But it is also harmful for all the animals specially invertebrates. It also kills the eggs of snail, planaria etc.

c. Instead of killing unwanted animals, try to control their population. To control their birth rate, remove any left food, decaying leaves and dead animals. Less availability of food decreases their population.

d. Some fishes like as puffers are known to eat the snails. Introduce snail eater fishes.

e. Assassin snails are predators. They eat other snails and helps in controlling their population.

f. Dipping plants in marine aquarium solution also helps in getting rid to snails. In saltwater, snails will be dehydrate within one minute.

Problem: Cloudy/dirty water

Sometime aquarium water becomes cloudy, dirty yellow or brown. There may be many issues behind the cloudy or dirty water and it is a common problem with new comers in the hobby.

Solution

a. Dissolved organic compounds like as uneaten food, decaying leaves, dead animals may be the main reason behind the physical floating debris or particles. They should be removed as soon as possible. Presence of these things spoils the water quality and also responsible for the growth of algae. Availability of excess food also promotes the growth of unwanted animals.

b. Mulm or Dirt builds up with time over the substrate of aquarium. It looks unattractive and settles downs on substrate and decorations. It should be siphon regularly at the time of water change. Some fishes or invertebrates have the habit to disturb substrate. As they disturb substrate, the mulm get disturb and floats in the water.

c. Cloudy water is due to overgrowth of bacteria. It appears in the newly setup aquarium. Partial water change can be the instant remedy. But cloudy water problem fixes itself after the proper establishment of bacterial colonies in the aquarium. Uneaten fish food or physical debris may also make water cloudy.

d. Yellow or brown water may be due to presence of tannins in the water. When driftwoods release the tannins in the water, it may be turn yellow or brown. Presence of tannins also lowers the pH value of water. Although it is not harmful for the most of the animals but some fishes like to live in high pH. So before using driftwoods in the aquarium check the pH requirements of the particular fish.

Problem: Green water

Green water is another common problem comes in the way to establish a beautiful planted aquarium. It is due to the presence of unicellular algae. The main cause behind green water is excess lightings. There may be some other reasons.

Solution

a. Green water may be due to keeping aquarium in direct sunlight or too much light. Reducing light may eliminate the problem of green water.

b. Excess nutrients like as Nitrates, phosphates, may be another reason behind the green water. So maintaining water quality will reduce the chances of development of algae responsible for green water.

Problem: Stinky water

Stinky aquarium water is very unpleasant for the aquarium keepers. There may be several reasons behind the stinky water.

Solution

a. Decaying any critter may the main reason behind the stinky water. If any unpleasant smell is observed, check if there is any dead fish or plant in the aquarium.

b. Uneaten food over substrate may bloom the bacterial growth. They release the unpleasant odor gases. So always remove the uneaten food.

c. Insufficient filtration may be another reason behind the stinky water. Check and clean filter regularly.

Planted aquariums looks very attractive but unawareness can invite problems. Every problem has a solution. We just need to diagnose the problem for proper treatment.