Aquarium Plants

Aquarium plants are no different than any other plant in that they still need certain things to grow. Things like light, CO2, nutrients and trace elements are all required for aquatic plants to grow. The problem is supplying these things in the proper amount, and still keeping your fish requirements in mind. All so different plants need these things in different proportions. And to make growing aquatic plants even more fun, there is no information available that says, exactly how much light, CO2, nutrients, or trace element, each plant needs. So let's go over what each element does for your aquatic plants.

Light

Light is required for photosynthesis since it supplies the energy required to drive the chemical reactions involved with the process. The amount of time, the light is on is important, but more importantly is the intensity and spectrum of the light. As a rule of thumb, you will need about 1.5 to 3 W atts per gallon of water, with deeper tanks requiring more intensity. Most bulbs used for growing plants will lose their intensity over time. Whether they are fluorescent or special aquarium bulbs. They should be changed. On a regular schedule. Usually every six to 12 months.

Carbon Dioxide

Just like mammals, breath in oxygen and omit carbon dioxide. Plants, breath in carbon dioxide and omit oxygen. Most aquariums have a range of one to 3 ppm of carbon dioxide, while most plants flourish with levels in the 10 to 20 ppm range. With lower levels of carbon dioxide, plans will not be able to utilize high levels of light and nutrients.

Nutrients

Two of the most important nutrients that aquatic plants need are nitrogen and potassium. Nitrogen is usually available in sufficient quantities of the fish waste in the form of ammonium. Most plants will prefer ammonium, but some will use the end product of the nitrification cycle, nitrate. A good test for ammonium levels is to monitor nitrates. If the nitrates are 0 ppm, you know that all the nitrogen is being used. This may indicate that some plants are starting for nitrogen. They may also indicate that a perfect balance has been achieved, but that is unlikely. If your pants are thriving, then you have achieved the balance. Protests in is also usually available from fish food. Unfortunately, it is difficult to measure potassium in the water. If there are enough nitrates there is usually enough potassium.

Trace Elements

Trace elements are elements that are required in very small quantities, yet are still vital to plant growth. Trace elements are taken in by the plant in eye and form. The more important trace elements are sold for, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. Sulfur, calcium, and magnesium are usually found in tap water. Last verse can be measured in the water and should be present in quantities less then .2 ppm of phosphate. If the nitrates are okay, phosphorus levels are usually also good. Iron may be present in tap water in the correct Ionic State, but will quickly oxidized to a form on usable by plants. To prevent this, chelated iron mixtures can be used. The iron concentration should be less than .2 ppm. Other trace elements are needed in extremely small quantities and can usually be provided in this food or specialized trace element formulations. Please note that some of these elements are toxic in anything but trace amounts so the addition of trace elements should be done very carefully.