Beginner's Guide to Planted Aquariums: Benefits & Plant Types

Insight into creating a lush, vibrant, aquatic world

 

What is a Planted Aquarium?

A planted tank is a very popular style of freshwater home aquariums that incorporates the use of live aquatic plants over entirely using artificial decor. Many aquarists desire to keep their fish in a semi-natural or naturalistic environment, so they may perform natural behaviors and thrive under human care. There are many aquatic plant species, cultivated for aquarium use with their own unique touch to add to any aquarium. You can have slow-growing Bucephalandra sp., or the tall, draping Jungle Val.

 

What are the Benefits of a Planted Aquarium?

There are countless benefits to having a planted aquarium for the aquarist and their fish alike. Here are some of them listed below:

1) Aquatic plants aid in water filtration by absorbing excess fish waste and nutrients

2) Plants create natural breaks in the lines of sight for aggressive and semi-aggressive fish

3) Photosynthesis; releasing oxygen into the water column

4) Natural hiding spaces for shy fish and fry

5) Environmental enrichment for fish

6) Lower stress levels in fish

7) Aquarists can create a naturalistic aquarium that is aesthetically appealing while benefitting their fish

8) Aquatic plants help prevent algae growth by outcompeting them for nutrients

9) Aquarists can always grow more aquatic plants to propagate into additional aquariums.

10) Additional surfaces for biofilm and nitrifying bacteria to colonize

What Types of Plants Can be Put into a Planted Aquarium

There are four main categories of aquatic plants that are grouped based on planting style and how they absorb nutrients:

1) Floating Plants:

Plants such as Hornwort, Duckweed, and Amazonian Frogbit are never placed into the substrate and sit towards the water's surface of your aquarium. They absorb nutrients directly from the water column and entrap loose debris.

2) Stem Plants:

Species under this category do best while planted into the substrate. They are root feeders that need a nutrient presence in their substrate to optimally grow. Plants under this category include Monte Carlo, Rotala sp., and Jungle Val.

3) Epiphytes:

These species should not be planted into the substrate and do best when attached to hardscape such as rocks and driftwood. They can either be placed in between crevices or openings, tied down using biodegradable twine, or attached using aquarium safe glue. Species under this category include Java Ferns, Anubias sp., Mosses, and Bucephalandra sp.

4) Riparian/Marginal Plants:

Traditionally these are common plants grown on land, or in very wet soil that can also root in water and absorb nutrients directly from there. These plants, like some floating plant species, have access to atmospheric carbon dioxide which provides them significant growth advantages. Species that can thrive under this matter of growth include Lucky Bamboo, Tradescantia zebrina, and Spider Plants.

In order to get your plants to grow, aquarists used a unique combination of products that match to their water parameter and plant-specific needs. Many aquascapers opt to use carbon dioxide injection to increase the growth rate of their stem plants, alongside using nutrient rich aquarium soil. Aquatic plants, particularly stem plants, can be grown while placed in sand and other inert substrates. However, additional supplementation with root tabs is usually required to add nutrients to an inert substrate.

 

Do Certain Plants Belong in Specific Spots in the Aquarium?

Technically, certain plants belong in specific spots in your planted aquarium. This is due to a few factors, primarily being the ability to see your fish and the ability to let other plants grow. Short-growing plants such as Monte Carlo and Dwarf Hairgrass should be placed in the front of the aquarium, or the foreground of your aquascape. Whereas tall stem plants, or broadly growing plants such as the Amazon Sword, should be placed in the background where they can fill in corners and provide natural hiding spots for your fish. It is not ideal to place plants like Dwarf Hairgrass next to Amazon Swords since Amazon Swords have a deeper root system to feed a much larger plant, that also happens to be able to outcompete shorter plants for light.

All plants need access to light in order to photosynthesize and grow in your aquarium. This is accomplished by having an appropriate LED aquarium light that can be used to grow plants, or using a plant grow light. The safest option is to go with a full-spectrum LED aquarium light that is adjustable and waterproof for a planted aquarium

 

What Aquatic Plants are Recommended for First-Time Plant Users?

For beginner aquatic plant users, we strongly recommend lower light and fast-growing aquarium plants like Amazon Sword, Java Ferns, and Hornwort. Using these three species in unison will lead to you having a lush, vibrant aquarium in a matter of weeks!

If you are interested in purchasing many beginner-friendly aquatic plants, we suggest purchasing a Beginner Aquarium Plant Pack, created by our partner distributor!