

These plants are usually on the larger side so they are able to be seen even when one is looking through the front of the tank. Aquarium plants may be split into three categories based on that position: background plants, mid-ground plants, and foreground plants.īackground plants are placed toward the back of the aquarium. Live aquarium plants will thus serve to maintain and improve the quality of the water in your tank and the overall beauty and aesthetics of your aquarium.Īfter learning about the overwhelming benefits that live aquarium plants can provide to your aquarium, it’s time to delve into the different types of live plants available in regards to where they are positioned in the tank. Still others can be used as floating plants, which will provide shade and protection for your fish and discourage the growth of algae. Other plants can add interest and dimensionality to your tank, since you can choose plants of different heights and place them in the areas of your design throughout the tank. Many types of aquarium plants can be used as carpeting plants to cover the substrate at the bottom of the tank and provide a lush, natural feel. They will also frequently provide shelter for fish as well as security, since they can break up the sightlines of fish which are territorial and help the overall health and security of all the fish in your tank.įurthermore, certain species of aquatic plants are able to be used to cover and thus conceal the fixtures in your aquarium to improve the overall aesthetic of a tank and make it look more like a natural habitat.

Next, aquatic plants allow you to achieve a more natural, pleasant look for your aquarium. Also plants often require nitrates and other waste chemicals to grow, thus removing them from the water and keeping them from harming your fish. The oxygen generated by the plants will reduce the tank’s need for aeration. First of all, plants will, through photosynthesis, take the carbon dioxide in the water and transform it into the oxygen that your fish require to breathe. Adding live plants to your freshwater aquarium can offer a wide variety of benefits.
