Before planting, rinse off each plant; remove any dead or dying leaves and inspect the undersides of leaves for jelly-blobs - these are snails' eggs and should be removed - unless you want a plague of snails in the very near future.
Always plant in groups of the same species - it looks more natural.
Plants which dislike strong light can be planted under the shade of those stronger-growing, taller species or under a cover of floating plants.
Do not bury the plant too deeply; the 'crown' (the junction of leaf/stem and root) should be level, or just above the surface of the substrate.
Don't expect all plants to get on together; settle for those that you can grow well.
Most of the growing problems associated with aquarium plants are usually connected with the amount of light available.
Increasing the light makes for better plant growth. You can either install more fluorescent tubes or fit light-enhancing reflectors to make full use of all the light generated.
Be careful of adding extra nourishment to the aquarium in the form of specialised substrate materials or plant fertilisers.
Never attempt to use horticultural fertilisers (even in diluted form) to encourage more plant growth.
Too much extra nourishment without careful handling will only lead to water pollution and more algae.
© FBAS 1998 RCM/RDE Aquarium ManagementCare Sheet 10 2/2
If you have too much light then, unless you stock extra plants to make use of the light's energy, you will get excessive algae growth - particularly if you over-feed, which puts more algae-nutrient into the water!
Cutting down the light period, or installing less powerful lamps, may cut down excessive algae but remember that most plants like a twelve hour light period.
Return to AQUARIUM MANAGEMENT CARE SHEETS INDEX
FISH CARE SHEETS INDEX
POND CARE SHEETS INDEX
Last updated July, 2005