Monday, June 29, 2009

Plant Care for Freshwater Aquarium Setup

When you have a freshwater aquarium setup you must not think only of your primary inhabitants which are your fishes. Your aquatic plants also play an important role in that environment. We should bear in mind all the factor that is directly affecting them.

Photosynthesis and respiration are the most important processes for the plant to survive. So a balance amount of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and light is very important. These two alternate process is really needed by plants make their own food and to breath.

The pH value on the water should be checked from time to time. The pH value indicates whether the water is acidic or alkaline. Most aquarium plants can withstand pH in the range of 6.5 to 7.4 without any problems. There are some exceptions to this rule, but to a large majority of aquarium plants this is not critical. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. A low number indicates acidic water, while a higher number indicates more alkaline water. It's important to note that this scale of measurement is not linear, but logarithmic. What this means is that a pH reading of 5 is 10 times more acidic than a reading of 6, and 100 times more acidic than a reading of 7. So, where your fish are concerned a small numeric change in pH value to you could mean a dramatic change for your fish. pH stability is probably the most important factor for both your plants and your fish.

Hardness of the water also affects our water plants. When rainwater reaches the ground and flows through the soil, hardness-forming substances mix with the water in varying degrees. General hardness is determined by the quantity of dissolved magnesium and calcium ions. An ideal General Hardness would be 3 to 5 degrees. There are chemical substances sold in the market which will stabilize the pH and hardness of an ordinary tap water.

Plant fertilizer are also a good treat for our aquatic plants. These fertilizers comes in solid forms. Proper procedures must be followed for avoid rapid growth of algae in the tank. Read labels before applying such fertilizers so that you will know certain concentration needed for type of aquarium you have.

Substrate or the materials in the bottom of the tank should be ideal also to the plant growth. Certain nutrient and bacteria should be present. In addition, schedule of changing of your tank water and so as lighting and temperature also constitute on the condition of you substrate.

Maintaining a healthy freshwater aquarium setup means having a healthy plants, fishes, and other organism as well. You must think that you are making an ecosystem wherein each one is depending on each other.

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