In the
previous article, we overviewed different species of aquatic plants,
considering the place where they should be planted and grow. Meanwhile, in this
article, we aim to go into details about how to plant and grow aquatic plants.
In this topic, we’ll discuss about the minimum requirements of setting up a
beautiful planted aquarium. In order to set up an aquarium, some points are
clear and necessary, which being totally aware of biological conditions and
required ecosystem for growing and survival of Species of animals and plants
are the most significant components. In the following, and after a brief
introduction, we’ll make an effort to explain these functions and methods.

Introduction:  like other plants, aquatic plants are the
vital section of an ecosystem. In addition to absorbing carbon-dioxide of the
aquarium, they also help in cleaning the environment of an aquarium. Of course,
the much attention which planted aquariums have received in recent years is
because of much more reasons and it is not only containing these two natural
functions. Their brilliant beauty will tempt all people, even
non-professionals, to have one of these aquariums at their home. On the other
hand, in contrary to common beliefs, the high price is not the only reason that
would discourage people to have one of these beautiful planted aquariums. It is
true that running a fancy aquarium needs more money than a typical one, but
that is the aquarium’s caring which discourages people. A nonprofessional
individual, after spending money will have a beautiful aquarium in line with the
ones needs, but after a while, due to the lack of knowledge about how to
maintain aquatic plants, the ecosystem will be disorganized and plants will
lose their former beauty. Among most

common
issues, stem and root decays, disproportionate growth of plants, or even death
of plants, the need of more attention could be mentioned. This reason is the
most important reason which discourages people to set up a planted aquarium. In
the following, we attempted to deal with methods of preparing cultivation
field, an appropriate filtering of a planted aquarium, and strategies to
exposure them.      

1. Preparing required cultivation field to plant, grow and nourish aquatic plants:

As we
mentioned before, you have to plant and maintain aquatic plants exactly in line
with general principles of plants’ maintenance. Therefore, we discuss about
preparing cultivation field, at first. Most of the aquatic plants, even those
which called mid-ground aquatic plants, have roots in the beds and absorb
minerals from there. To provide an appropriate cultivation field, you’ll need
simplest items such as standard pebble and gravel. Aquatic plants can propagate
easily in gravel, but the reason to use standard and glossy pebbles is that, if
we use only gravel, it will become rigid and watertight after a while. In
addition, using typical pebbles with sharp angles will damage stems and roots.
Therefore, you are recommended to consult with experts when you want to choose
and buy your cultivation filed. perhaps, today, reliable brands are providing
pre-made cultivation fields which include required nutrients for growth of
aquatic plants in addition to a mixture of gravel and pebble. And the last
thing that you should take into account is to consider an appropriate slope for
planting smaller and bigger plants when pouring down the cultivation
field.      

2. Feeding, composting and delivering nutrients to Aquarium plants:

Aquatic
plants need different minerals such as Carbon, Phosphorus, Copper, Zinc, Iron,
etc. But it’s not needed to deliver these minerals to them daily. The provided
cultivation field includes many of these minerals, and by propagating of
plants, they will feed plants. Furthermore, aquatic plants can receive these
minerals from water through their leaf and stems. Many of these exists in
excretion and remained food of your aquarium fishes. So, having an aquarium
with an appropriate ecosystem which is designed and conducted in a standard way
can respond automatically to the needs of your aquatic plants. Besides, if you
use pre-made gravel and/or reliable compost of the market, they’ll gradually
deliver nutrients to be used by aquatic plants. If you want to grow and nourish
your plants faster, using water-soluble composts which will results in more lushness
and health of plants.   

3- Appropriate lighting and exposure

Plants’ need
for lightning is crucial and, inappropriate exposure to aquatic plants is one
of the main reasons that customers are unsatisfied with their aquarium’s
conditions. So, if you want to buy and maintain a planted aquarium, you should
be serious about providing an appropriate lightning source. Absence of
appropriate lighting in a planted aquarium can easily waste your time and money
in only few days. Certainly, daylight is the best lightning source for plants.
It has numerous advantages, but its deficiencies and risks can be also
destructive. Relying only on daylight and continuous exposure of aquarium by
daylight will lead to growing unwanted alga in addition to raising aquarium’s
temperature over standard. On the contrary, using only typical home lightings
like fluorescent lamps and energy saving lamps can merely have beauty aspect
and, certainly, it won’t be applicable. One simple but important thing about
appropriate light in aquariums that should be taken into account is this: Task
of light in aquariums is not only to provide lightning and warmth. Plants and
fishes in aquariums need light which can provide them with necessary and
crucial spectrums. Thus, the benefit from experts’ guidance and experiences is
to choose the best light, because each aquarium, whether planted or not. Also, regarding
to animates and required ecosystem, needs light with an appropriate wavelength,
and other crucial factors. On the other hand, when choosing the light for your
aquarium, take the volume and dimensions of your aquarium into account.            

In this
article, we attempted to inform you about minimum requirements of setting up a
simple planted aquarium. But running and maintaining such aquariums, because of
diversity in the arrangement of such aquariums and broadness of plants’
necessities, enough experience and scientific background are required. We’ll be
glad to offer you a technical consultation if needed. Read our next article
which is about minimum requirements to set up an appropriate planted aquarium.

To get more
information about aquatic plants of Iran and the methods which are used for
nourishment and maintenance of those plants, read our other articles as
well.