31/10/2019
Living plants versus plastic
Quite often in this hobby you will find yourself caught between some quirky and amazing looking fake decorations, and brilliant green and colour live options.
Life plants can strike fear into the heart of a new aquarium owner, but fear not, some live plants are exceptionally easy to care for.
I made the switch from plastic to live a long time ago, and my tanks and fish are so much better for it. Plants naturally add oxygen into the water, as well as helping with chemical process (such as absorbing nitrates) that help keep algae levels at a minimum.
There are some very easy plants to grow if you're just starting out and are a bit nervous. Elodea (Canadian pond w**d) is one of the easiest to grow, and it can be placed to grow roots into gravel/substrate, or it can be free floating.
In optimal conditions, it also produces a cute little white flower. All you need to keep elodea growing is a bit of light, and an aquarium.
Other relatively easy options include pennywort and hornswort.
The biggest thing to watch out for when buying "aquatic " plants from pet shops, is swamp plants. Some larger retailers will sell plants such as Purple Waffle and Aluminium as submersible plants. These will eventually die if kept fully submerged, and contaminate your tank. If in doubt, Google or ask a local fish shop for advice, before spending your money.
Another option is Java Moss, but be warned, it won't take long before you will be trying to move some of it on.
[PICTURED: Red cherry shrimp perched on a piece of elodea surrounded by java moss]