Plant

From WikiAquarium

Aquarium Plants come in a variety of forms, shapes and sizes. They can add a dramatic visual impact to any tank. Most fish will feel more at home and are less stressed in a planted aquarium and most will get along with plants just fine.

There are numerous species of plants to choose from. Selecting the best plants for an aquarium depend on placement of plants in the aquarium, available space and lighting requirements. Many plants benefit from the addition of CO2 to the aquarium. Some require bright light to survive and thrive.

The types of aquarium plants available include flowering or non-flowering plants. Flowering plants include bunched or stemmed plants, rosettes, rhizomes and floating plants. Popular varieties includes cryptocoryne, sword and an assortment of the many stemmed plants. Non-flowering aquarium plants include ferns and mosses.

Aquarium plants can also be classified as floating, submerged, and emergent. Many plants will grow both submerged and emersed. Floating plants are not generally rooted (though they may) and float freely about the aquarium. Duckweed is an example of a floating plant that floats on the surface of the water. Plants that grow completely submerged are true aquatic plants. They are generally rooted in the bottom substrate and do not extend out of the water's surface. Vallisneria is an example of a submerged plant. Emergent plants are rooted on the bottom and extend to its surface. Waterlilies are an example of an emergent plant. Many aquatic plant nurseries grow their plants emersed. They grow well since plants can obtain their CO2 from the air and algae doesn't grow on the leaves when they are out of the water.

Typically, smaller plants are placed near the front or foreground of the aquarium, while progressively larger and taller plants are placed further back.

Popular styles of planted tanks include the Nature Aquarium or Amano style and the Dutch style. Each of these styles have specific planting standards and techniques.