The right plants add a natural and realistic quality to the environment of an aquarium. But, with so many choices facing new fish tank owners, the options for plants can be overwhelming.
With many variations of both live and artificial plants to choose from, it is yet another topic that needs to be researched, before you head to the store and just buy one. Taking a little time to weigh the pros and cons, and consider the purpose and maintenance of the options, can help you make the right decision.
The positive aspects of natural plants include the fact that they can add more than just beauty to the tank. They help to balance the water and can make your fish feel more at home. They can provide additional oxygen and also manage nitrogen levels.
On the other hand, some drawbacks to natural plants are that they require pruning, nutrition, and propagation, from time to time. They can also be killed by fish that like to nibble and can transmit infections to the fish. Additionally, they will need a substrate to support their type.
Fake plants, or artificial plants, come in a variety of appearances and sizes. Usually, fish won’t nibble on these, so their integrity will be preserved. And, of course, no pruning or adding nutrients will be necessary.
With fake plants, however, you will need to maintain them by regularly cleaning off the algae buildup. They can fall apart with cleaning, or being knocked around, and generally can’t be repaired. Finally, some artificial plants look as fake as they are, making the tank seem less appealing.