Aquarium and Fish Care: Aquarium Plants

Showing posts with label Aquarium Plants. Show all posts

2017-02-22

Three Questions You Should Ask About JAVA FERNS

Okay so picking the right plants for your betta tank doesn't have to be done with the same care you would give say picking a brain surgeon - or like your life depended on it. But this is still a decision worthy of a bit of brain sweat. Okay maybe just a little. Because the answer may lie in a plant you may never have heard of before. Java Ferns

Java Fern, one of only a few ferns capable of growing underwater. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That's right. The java fern could just be the best aquarium plant you have never heard of. It's an even better betta fish plant, if I'm allowed to so designate one. Plus it's a low maintenance bit of vegetation that should do just fine in your tank and bring with it several benefits.

Having been sold on the idea, as with all things betta, there are some questions you might wish to ask about this planted tank adventure that you might not think of so let me suggest a few. These are extracted from the list of less than obvious questions about java ferns you may not have thought of but should have.

Question #1: So why is this a good plant for bettas?

It's simple. Plants help to keep nitrate levels down. And low nitrate levels equate to better water quality which equates to healthier fish. Aside from that these ferns provide shelter or just a place for a betta to take a break. You may see your fish just resting on one of the leaves. Plus they add to the overall beauty of the tank you've got going there.

Question #2: Sounds good, then how do I get started with these?

Success with java ferns begins with cured driftwood. Given these plants are rhizome based, meaning the leaves and roots develop from one, you'll want to simply tie your plant to the driftwood with fishing line until its roots take hold. After a few weeks you can snip off the line as the plant should be firmly attached by then. The roots will spread across the face of the wood from there.

The big idea here is to avoid burying the rhizome in the gravel or substrate. That will doom your plant to a fairly quick death.

Question #3: Will I need to provide any kind of fertilization?

Good question with a short answer. It depends. That and everyone has their favorite one be it something like Leaf Zone or some other commercial aquarium plant food. Plus there are no hard and fast rules for feeding.

Here's the deal with the fertilizer. The amount your plants will need to thrive depends on how much light they get. To put it simply the more light the plants get the hungrier they'll be. So more light equates to higher fertilizer or food requirements. The trick is too much of this stuff and you'll only be encouraging unwanted algae growth. Too little and your plants may be stymied. Much like Goldilocks, the amount to use needs to be just right. Which you can only determine from firsthand experience.

Still the nice thing about java ferns is they'll make do with the light you provide. Taking anything from bright to low light and making the best of it.

Anyway those are three lesser, yet good to know questions about java fern that you might not have thought of asking off the top of your head. So now you know.

Lucas Smatana

female betta fish

http://www.better-bettas.com

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2017-02-06

Australian BACOPA - Bacopa australis

Australian Bacopa - Bacopa australis

2017-01-20

Balancing CO2 in the PLANTED AQUARIUM

Carbon dioxide is a crucial element of photosynthesis where plants rearrange molecules of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen to build basic sugar structures, which provide them and the rest of the food chain with energy. The right balance of carbon dioxide is important for plant growth and the continued health of your plants.

A Co2 deficiency is visible in the form of slower plant growth and a slow yet continuous rise in water pH. In many species of plants you will also notice calcium deposits on leaves, turning them a pale yellow or white depending on the severity of the condition. For many more demanding plants it is important to add additional carbon dioxide to the water as well as keeping other conditions favourable. However, too much carbon dioxide in the water can be detrimental to other aquatic life, striking a balance between the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide is important.

In aquariums which do not contain live aquarium plants shortages of oxygen are one of the biggest problems, which can in part be corrected with air-stones which aim to offer better aeration. In the presence of excessive Co2 fish will spend a lot of time at the surface of the water, increased gilling is visibly noticeable and it seems as if the fish are struggling to breathe. With too much Co2 the fish will suffer and without enough, the plants will instead. To maintain balanced water chemistry carry out regular water changes and be proactive to changes in the aquarium environment.

It may be necessary to add additional Co2 to the aquarium when growing aquatic plants, particularly if you are more experienced an have chosen to use more exotic species. There are a variety of options available if you decide to use carbon dioxide injections in the aquarium, from commercial systems to doing it yourself. If you keep plants with high demands of carbon dioxide, the larger the plants become the greater their need will be.

Maintaining a healthy balance where water chemistry is concerned requires attention to the aquariums and the inhabitants. Problems with a lack or macronutrients become visible in plants quickly, as do problems with an overload or deficiency of carbon dioxide. If possible it is often helpful to use water testing kits to get a general feel of what is in your water and if there is anything that you could change to the benefit of the aquarium.

Live aquarium plants

live aquarium plants

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