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Aquariums and Planting
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about tropical aquarium plants
Our aquarium plants are considered to be the best in the world. They are cultivated on a specially developed substrate made of Grodon mineral wool which helps ensure optimum nutrition absorption and perfectly developed roots.
Like any other living organism, aquarium plants are best grown in conditions similar to their natural environment.
Fish suffer less from stress in aquariums containing living plants. They remain healthier and acquire the right colour in record time.
Family
Taxonomic group of related genera, related families being grouped into orders.
Part of the world
The stated area does not mean that the plant can be found throughout this area. It is meant as information which can be used if you want to design an aquarium with fish and plants from a specific part of the world. Instead of part of the world the label may state the following: Pan Tropic - means that the plant is widespread in the tropics. Cosmopolitan - means that the plant can be found throughout most of the world. From the tropics to polar areas. Cultivar - means that this is a plant which does not come from nature, but which is, instead, a cultivated plant.
Country of origin
The countries will be the area in which the plant is most widespread. If the plant can be found in a large area, this is stated instead.
Height
The height range indicates the average height which the plant will achieve in a standard aquarium after approx. 2 months. If you have good growing conditions, the plant can often become taller. In nature the growth is also different. For example, part of the Echinodorus species can become a couple of metres tall on the moist river banks in South America. The dimensions are stated in cm.
Width
The width range indicates the average width which the plant will achieve in a standard aquarium after approx. 2 months. Under good growing conditions the plants may become wider. A '+' means that the plant will become very wide. The dimensions are stated in cm.
Light requirements
The plant's requirement for light is stated as the range in which the plant thrives. The terms Low, Average, High and Very High are used as indications of the plant's light intensity requirement. On the plant labels which are enclosed with all Tropical plants this is equivalent to the symbols. Many people want this to be stated in Watt per litre water, but, unfortunately, it is not possible to state it in this way. Many other factors play a part; it is, for example, of great importance whether a small plant is planted in the shade of a larger one. The use of reflectors and the type of fluorescent tubes, etc. are also of great importance. If the 'minimum light' requirement is stated as 'High', this means that the plant requires much light. In fact, often more than the light available in a well-lit aquarium. If you have any problems with these plants, it will most often be due to insufficient light. Exposure to light for 10-12 hours a day will be good for most plants.
Temperature
The temperature is stated in ºC. The plant will grow reasonably well within this temperature range. The optimal growth will be in the middle of the range. Most plants will grow well even at higher temperatures, but the plant will then require more light! At high light intensity many plants can grow at 35 ºC; this typically applies to plants for which a maximum of 28 ºC or above has been stated.
Hardness tolerance
The plants' water hardness requirement is only stated if the hardness has an important effect on growth. Very soft (GH <3 dh) .Soft (GH = 4-8 dH) . Average (GH = 9-13 dH) . Hard (GH = 14 - 20 dH) . Very hard (GH > 20)
It is most often the water hardness in connection with the pH value which is of importance.
pH tolerance
The plants' pH-value requirements have only been stated for plants for which this is of great importance to growth. Acid pH = 5 - 6.5 . Neutral pH = 6.5 - 7.5 . Basic pH = 7.5 - 9
Easiness
This section indicates how easy/difficult it is for the ordinary aquarist to tend the plant. Easy - means that the plant does not have any special requirements and that it will thrive in virtually any aquarium. Average - means that the plant does not have many requirements and that it will thrive in most aquaria. Difficult - means that the plant has larger requirements for the aquarium. Most often the plant will require much light! Very difficult - means that the plant has special requirements for the aquarium! Most often it requires an extreme amount of light or soft water.
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planting an aquarium
The best results are always achieved by observing a few simple rules when designing your planting scheme. To achieve a sense of depth the bottom should slope up towards the back pane of the aquarium. Start by arranging a number of plants in the middle of the aquarium so they are in balance with each other. Plants on stones or roots are particularly suitable for this purpose, because they are easy to move around with a view to achieving the most harmonious effect. Position the tallest plants behind the group of plants on stones and roots, and the lower plants in front of them. Finally, you can plant a so-called 'solitary plant' in plenty of open space as a feature. Gaps in your planting scheme are a good idea - they help create a sense of depth. The most decorative effect can be achieved by choosing plants with different shades and leaf shapes.
  
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algae in aquariums
Aquariums always contain almost all types of algae. The presence of algae is inevitable, but whether you notice it or not depends on how much the conditions encourage algae growth.
One of the main reasons for the growth of algae is always a surplus of phosphorus and nitrogen in the water, which is generally due to the presence of too many fish in relation to the number of plants.
It's a good idea to start with a few healthy fish to eat the algae, and a number of plants that grow fast and consume the nutrients present at the bottom of the aquarium. Otocinculus affinis, Crossocheilus siamensis (Epalzeorhynchus) and Ancistrus (Xenocara) are good algae-eating fish; and Hygrophila difformis, Hygrophila polysperma, Ceratophyllum, Sagittaria, Echinodorus bleheri, Ceratopteris and Vallisneria are all good anti-algae plants.
Change 25% of the water every two weeks in normal conditions, and change as much as half of the water once a week if algae growth is rampant. Avoid useing a bottom filter, which steals nutrition from plant roots and sends it out again into the water - this encourages algae growth.
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