6 PLANT MAINTENANCE TIPS

by Tom Sarac

The presence of plants in a properly maintained display will contribute to a full appreciation of the aquatic hobby. Here are 6 quick tips to help you maintain your aquarium plants.

TIP #1

Provide consistent lighting periods: 10 to 12 hours per day.

TIP #2

Include algae-controlling fish that do not damage plants (ex.: Siamese Flying Fox, Otocinclus, Pencil Fish, and Livebearers).

TIP #3

Use an iron test kit to test iron levels weekly and maintain a 0.25 to 0.5 mg/L iron by dosing with Plant Micro Nutrients.

TIP #4

Many aquatic plants respond favourably to pH levels from 6.4 to 6.8 and KH levels of 50 to 90 mg/L. Use Nutrafin pH Adjust Up or Nutrafin pH Adjust Down and Nutrafin KH Booster to provide correct optimal water parameters.

TIP #5

Aquatic plants will shed leaves as they grow. Regularly remove any dying or dead leaves. The use of aquascaping tools is highly recommended for this purpose. When cutting dead leaves and pruning aquatic plants use aquatic plant scissors. For easy grasping and manipulating delicate plants without disturbing the surroundings, use planting tongs.

TIP #6

Avoid exposure to medications. Try to quarantine new fish and use a hospital tank for treatments. If this is not possible, perform additional water changes after any disease treatments.