Eye-catching aquatic plants for your aquarium
SELECTING the fish is not the only thing that is key in setting up an aquarium – so is the choice and placement of the aquatic plants.
Using plants with different heights, leaf shapes and colours are just some of the tricks you can use to create contrasts in your underwater world.
A fish tank should conceptually always be split into three parts when it comes to its greenery, the German pet association FLH says.
In front, you should place plants that do not grow very tall, so that they do not block the view. Grass-like plants such as dwarf hair grass or dwarf sword would be perfect, according to FLH expert Ulrich Gerlach.
In the middle part, you should have bigger plants that do not become too luxuriant. Species that grow quickly and tall, such as hornwort or Java fern, can be at the back so that they gradually cover the rear panel – including the aquarium’s parts.
For the aquarium to have more depth visually, it is advisable to choose plants in different shades of green.
Plants of a different colour also create nice contrasts, such as the red-leaved tiger lotus, the reddish Cryptocoryne varieties or the grey-white-patterned Eusteralis.
But you should not use too many different species or it can quickly look too busy. Choosing plants with different forms and leaves will already ensure variety.
Aquarium greenery does not necessarily have to be planted. So-called epiphytes manage to hold onto a rocky surface with their adhesive roots. They are mainly ferns, moss and plants of the Araceae family.
Instead of planting them into the ground, you can attach them to whatever spot they should grow on, for instance decorative material such as stones or burl wood. – dpa