- Make sure you have a fluorescent light that will provide at least 1.5-3 watts per gallon. (Some hardy low-light plants can do with less though, but will not thrive)
- Give each individual plant space to grow. Avoid over-planting when you first start out.
- Remove dead/yellow leaves before you plant and any that you notice after planting.
- Group same-species plants together for a more natural appearance.
- Contrast shades of green, brown and red using different plants as well as choosing different shapes and sizes.
- Make sure your fish are plant-friendly and you don't have too many snails.
- Make sure your plants are fish-friendly and will not be eaten as food.
- Buy fully aquatic plants, not ones that grow out of the water.
- Choose a few foregrand, midground and background plants.
- Buy healthy green plants with robust growth and nice looking leaves.
- Choose easy plants that don't require much care and constant maintenance (O2, CO2 injections, trimming, dividing) when you first start out.
- Don't buy plants that will overrun your aquarium (especially if your tank is small)
- Floating plants tend to be a hassle in my experience. They get stuck to everything and rot quickly, creating unnecessary debris.
- Choose plants that will all have similar water requirements as each other and your fish.
- Carefully and thoroughly rinse plants from the fish store to get rid of snail eggs and possible infections. You may choose to quarantine them in a separate tank.
- Don't buy plants grown in a tank filled with algae, dead fish, poor lighting and/or damaged specimens.
Good luck plant-scavenging!
No comments:
Post a Comment