Freshwater

Figure 16-1:
During
daylight
hours,
plants
absorb
carbon
dioxide and
expel
oxygen.
Inhibits algae growth by providing resource competition. Plants use the
excess nutrients in the water to thrive. These are the same nutrients
that algae need to survive. Plants help “starve” algae production by
keeping them from having enough nutrients to flourish.
Live plants can condition the water in your tank by removing carbon dioxide
and sulfur substances and by harboring bacteria to remove other wastes.
The biological filtration (provided by the bacteria) in an aquarium breaks
down existing ammonia into less harmful substances that live plants use for
food. Plants can use these nitrites and nitrates to gather life-giving nitrogen.
By utilizing light during photosynthesis, plants also create food for themselves
within their own cells and release oxygen, which is very beneficial to
your fish, during the process (Figure 16-1). When you turn off your aquarium
lights, plants start absorbing oxygen. They then release carbon dioxide in a
process similar to your fish’s respiration process.
CO 2
Chapter 16: Live Plants for Freshwater Aquariums
O 2
O 2
CO 2
Living plants can also be a food source for fish that prefer a high amount of
vegetation in their diet (of course you’ll have to continually replace plants as
they get munched). Your fish’s color is much more intense in a naturally
planted tank. And because plants provide security, your aquatic pets also act
much more confident in a planted tank. (They won’t have to spend the entire
day trying to dig an escape tunnel.)
O 2
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