A key component to a balanced, healthy aquarium, aquatic plants provide many benefits.

Plants:

• Supplement filtration - they absorb ammonium, nitrates and phosphates. They assimilate other undesirable substances such as metals, from aquarium water.



• Produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide when the aquarium is illuminated.



• Provide natural shelter for fish (thereby reducing stress) and support natural behavior. Plants provide hiding places for fry (baby fish) and for specimens that are being bullied.



• Can be the main decoration feature and supply a dynamic element to aquarium displays as they grow and reproduce.



• Compete with algae through the intake of essential nutrients and absorption of light

When purchasing aquatic plants, there are several important points to consider:

1. Ensure that you are actually purchasing aquatic plants. Consult knowledgeable pet store staff and books.

2. Look for healthy specimens. Avoid plants that are damaged (holes, broken leaves and/or stems) or exhibit yellow or brown leaves. Rooted plants should have clean looking (usually white) healthy root masses (note: exception = bunch plants).

3. Look for proper holding facilities. Plant tanks should be well-lit and kept at approximate tropical aquarium temperatures.

5. Make sure plants stay wet or damp during the journey home; do not allow any part to dry out.

The need for effective supplementation of micro-nutrients, such as iron, is well documented. It is quite common to measure iron values of close to zero in tap water. New aquariums, especially those which are populated with dense plantings of rapid growing aquatic plants, require the addition of Nutrafin Plant Gro Iron Enriched. Furthermore, there can be a lack of macro-nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium in newly established, densely planted aquariums. Nutrafin Plant Gro NPK provides controllable supplementation. Plants rapidly absorb nutrients, especially where optimal lighting levels and CO₂ injection stimulate growth.

Major plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are essential for plant growth. Aquariums that contain significant populations of fish generally contain an adequate source of nitrogen and phosphorus. However, aquariums which feature emphasis on aquatic plants require attention with respect to adequate levels of the major nutrients.

It is recommended to test phosphorus and nitrate levels and maintain low levels using Nutrafin Plant Gro NPK to ensure availability of these essential nutrients.

Micro-nutrients, which are necessary in trace amounts, are involved in various metabolic and enzymatic functions within plants. Iron is the micro-nutrient required at the greatest concentration. Therefore, regular testing (using A-7835, Nutrafin Iron Test Kit) will ensure the proper level. The iron present in Nutrafin Plant Gro Iron Enriched is chelated, which ensures availability and safety under a variety of aquarium conditions.

Nutrafin Plant Gro Iron Enriched contains a properly balanced combination of other essential micro-nutrients in trace amounts, providing plants with a key element for optimal growth and condition. Manganese and zinc, for example, are key micro-nutrients important for the process of photosynthesis.

SUGGESTED AQUATIC PLANTS: Respecting the basic information provided here will help provide hobbyists with a useful foundation for success with aquatic plants. The presence of plants in a properly maintained display will contribute to a full appreciation of the aquatic hobby. The following list of aquatic plants serves as a guide for species which flourish in tropical aquariums. These species are tolerant of a variety of temperature, light and water conditions:

Hygrophila Difformis
(Wisteria):
Grows rapidly, recommended for new aquariums, rapidly absorbs mico-nutrients, Nutrafin Plant Gro Iron Enriched strongly recommended.

Microsorium pteropus
(Java Fern):
Attaches to driftwood or rocks, flourishes in low to high light and at various pH and hardness values.

Vallisneria spiralis:
Suggested for background placement, good choice for new installations & hardwater aquariums.

Aponogeton crispus:
Attractive olive green color, rapid growth.

Aponogeton ulvaceus:
Suited for tanks 30 U.S. gal. & up, rapid growth.

Echinodorus osiris:
Excellent feature plant, provides red colored leaves, suited to 30 U.S. gal. tanks & up.

Hydrocotyle leucocephala
(Pennywort):
Can be used as a floating plant, provides refuge for fry (babies), grows rapidly.

Hygrophila polysperma
(Hygro):
Extremely hardy, recommended for new aquariums.

Ceratophyllum demersum
(Hornwort):
Rapid growing, typically a floating plant, good choice for bowls.

Cryptocoryne wendtii:
Plant in groups, mid-ground placement, grows rapidly, provides brownish leaves.

Anubias barteri
(nana):
Suggested for foreground and attaching to driftwood (slow growth).

Echinodorus bleheri
(Amazon Sword):
Excellent feature plant, needs room, responds well to regular pruning.

Cryptocoryne walkeri:
Plant in groups in the foreground, grows rapidly once established.

1. Incorporate groups of plants in your decor. Select a few species with a quantity of each, as opposed to many different species and minor quantities of each.



2. Position plants in appropriate positions with respect to the species. Plant taller plants at the rear and shorter plants towards the front. Take into consideration lighting requirements when choosing prospective sites for your plants. For example, plants that prefer lower light levels may be planted in the shade of tall plants.

3. Always remove devices used to bunch plants together. Any damaged or dead leaves should be removed. Bunch plants should have only the bottom 1 to 2 inches of stem planted.



4. Planting should allow for a little space between groups of stems of plants (bunch plants).



5. Never bury the crown of a plant. Expose the crown and avoid gravel between stems (ex.- Echinodorus species).



6. Remember - plants grow! Be aware of their maximum size and provide the room and correct initial placement to account for this.

1. Provide consistent lighting periods - 10 to 12 hours per day.



2. Include algae controlling fish that do not damage plants (ex.- Siamese Flying Fox, Otocinclus, Pencil Fish, Livebearers).



3. Test iron levels weekly (Nutrafin Iron Test Kit, A-7835) and maintain a .25 to .5 mg/L iron by dosing with Nutrafin Plant Gro Iron Enriched.



4. Many aquatic plants respond favorably to pH levels from 6.4 to 6.8 and KH levels of 50 to 90 mg/L. Use Nutrafin pH Adjust UP or DOWN and Nutrafin pH Stabilizer to provide correct optimal water parameters.



5. Aquatic plants will shed leaves as they grow. Regularly remove any dying or dead leaves.



6. Avoid exposure to medications. Try to quarantine new fish and use a hospital tank for treatments. If this is not possible, perform additional water changes after any disease treatments.