Adding plants to your aquarium will enhance the appearance of your tank. Always bear in mind that the main purpose of an aquarium is to provide food and shelter for your fish.

Plants also help maintain the ph balance of the water.

Looking after and setting up a freshwater aquarium is not complicated. But, there are daily tasks needed in order to keep it clean and environmentally fresh.

Your selection of freshwater aquarium plants is as important as your selection of fish.

The plants must complement the fish. This means they must not harm the fish in any way. There are a variety of plants that are suited to growing in a freshwater aquarium.

Plants are not only used to improve the appearance of a freshwater aquarium but they must also contribute to the optimum health of your fish. There is nothing less pleasing to see an aquarium filled with beautiful plants but marred with sickly fish with no energy.

When starting your freshwater aquarium you can choose between personally selected freshwater plants or a package of plants. If you choose the package you will have a pre-selected choice of plants that will create a wonderful water wonderland in your aquarium.

You can find pictures of aquariums on the internet to see how some people have set out their freshwater plants. Read books and visit websites before planning your freshwater aquarium.

Don’t over crowd your tank with plants.

A balance of all the elements has a more pleasing effect and gives your fish sufficient space to move around.

Consult your pet supply store for types of plants and prices and which would be best for your fish. Here are some suggestions of plants you can look into and decide which would be best for your particular environment.

Some plants you can choose from are:

• Downoi or “Little Star” (Pogostemon helferi)
• Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)
• Dwarf Sag (Sagittaria subulata)
• Water cover (Marsilea hirsute)
• Floating Watermoss (Salvina natans)

There are steps you can take to maintain your plants are in a healthy condition:

1) You must have sufficient light.

You get this by use of artificial lighting. Some tanks already have lighting set up or have holes pre-drilled for you to set up lighting. You may want to place your tank near a window to get extra light.

2) Check your plants regularly to ensure roots don’t come loose.

Sometimes your fish will loosen the plants from the soil and if you don’t check they may die.

3) Don’t overcrowd the aquarium with plants.

Each plant needs sufficient space and ability to draw nutrients from the soil. Over crowding means plants will have to struggle for what they need.

4) Try to emulate an environment close to the plants’ original environment.

It’s no use putting a tropical plant in a cold climate where it has little chance of survival.

5) Beware of introducing a diseased plant into your freshwater aquarium.

A diseased plant will infect other plants in your aquarium

6) Purchase your freshwater aquarium plants from a reputable dealer.

That way you are certain to get healthy plants with an excellent chance of survival in your freshwater aquarium.