VISITOR'S QUESTIONS
7... Plants Live or Artificial
There is no doubt that a well planted aquarium is very
pleasing to the eye. It is however up to the individual whether to choose
real plants, artificial plants, or no plants at all, or even a mixture
of both.
An aquarium and its inhabitants can survive quite well
without real plants. Regarding advantages and disadvantages of live
plants in the aquarium. First of all you have the decorative effect,
even before fishes are added, the effect can be quite beautiful. As
the Live plants grow they will absorb waste which is produced by fishes.
Timid and shy fishes can take cover in densely planted aquariums, some
fishes will also see the plants as a food source. Plants, either real
or artificial can be used hide aquarium equipment.
Just like fishes, plants do best in water that suits
them, some thrive in softer acidic waters, while others prefer harder
alkaline conditions. Unlike fishes, plants are more sensitive to light,
the majority of plants prefer very brightly lit conditions. If live
plants are to be used in the aquarium the artificial light source should
calculated correctly for its size. There is nothing specific about this
calculation, there are considerable variations, such as type of plant,
size of aquarium, type of lights, their location, etc.
In most situations fluorescent tubes are the aquarists
choice and for many years now certain tubes have been manufactured specifically
for plant growth. As a rough rule of thumb, to calculate the tube/tubes
you require, multiply your aquarium capacity (in imperial gallons) by
1.5, this will give the approximate wattage required, e.g. 40 gallons
x 1.5 = 60 watts = 2 x 30 watt tubes. My 40-gallon tank is unplanted
and lit by one 36inch 30watt tube to no ill effect, and my 30-gallon
tank with a 30 inch 25 watt tube. See my article on
Lighting
for more information.
Plastic plants are surprisingly lifelike these days,
they don't require feeding, pruning, and thinning, only an occasional
clean. There is no need to worry about artificial plants deteriorating,
as live ones do, when one has failed to care them. However any serious
aquarist will probably value the plant life and its place in his/her
aquarium, even though it is not an essential part of the hobby.
Provided you have adequate filtration your aquarium
will survive quite happily without live planting. Otherwise plant away
to your liking, as long as you provide adequate light and nourishment
they will grow to give your aquarium that aesthetic quality.
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