An aquarium can be set up anywhere in the apartment to bring a small piece of the underwater world into your own four walls. Among other things, the design of the soil and the selection of the plants are important. Below you will find brief instructions for planting aquariums and an overview of suitable aquatic plants.
Set up the aquarium properly
Before the aquarium can be planted, a suitable substrate must be applied to the aquarium floor. To do this, a layer of coarse gravel can first be spread over the surface. This creates a layer with loose cavities. A washed layer of coarse sand or gravel is then spread on top and compressed with a flat piece of wood to allow the air in between to escape. Finally, as a cover over this coarse layer, there is a layer of fine sand. This must be completely washed out.
The substrate should be introduced with a slight incline to the rear. On the one hand, this creates a good visual impression. On the other hand, mud accumulated at the front can be removed more easily. Larger stones can then be used when designing rock and cave structures. Such structures not only look good, but also correspond to the natural habitat of the animals and offer this protection. In addition, such hiding places can also hide equipment such as filters and hoses. When designing, it is important that the objects are set up in a stable and safe way for the animals.
Notice: The stones, other decorative material and, of course, the sand and gravel must be thoroughly cleaned before they are placed in the aquarium in order to remove unwanted substances.
Instructions for planting
Now that the substrate is finished, you can start planting. The selection of aquatic plants is huge. They should generally be inserted before filling with water. Using your finger or a small dibber, press appropriately sized holes in the slightly moistened sand at the designated locations. Before planting the plants, they should be spread out in a bowl of water. Remove any dead and damaged leaves. Root balls that are too large or roots that are too long should also be cut back, because plants with short roots grow better.
When inserting the plants into the holes, the roots must have enough space and must not be bent over or protrude from the planting hole. The insertion should also not be too deep. The soil around each plant is then gently pressed down with your finger. For plants with short roots, glass plant needles or small stones can also be used for attachment. After successful planting, the water can finally be filled up.
Notice: Newly purchased plants should be disinfected in a solution of one liter of water and one heaping teaspoon of alum for five minutes before planting. They are then rinsed off with tap water.
Aquatic plants at a glance
There are a number of options for planting in the aquarium. We would like to briefly introduce some of them to you below.
European fir frond (Hippuris vulgaris)
It is a dicotyledonous perennial plant. In nature, it occurs in swampy areas, shallow water bodies, ponds, ditches and rivers. The leaves are very soft, short, narrow and dark green. They stand in dense whorls along the shoot axis. This can easily reach a length of between 100 and 150 cm and has a creeping rhizome that is firmly rooted in the substrate. The fir frond can live completely submerged in the water, but also appear partially above the water surface. So-called air leaves are then formed. These are small and located in the leaf axils.
Expectations:
- Temperature 10 to 20 degrees
- freshwater, hard
- pH alkaline
- Light 1000 to 5000 lux
Common Frogspoon (Alsima plantago-aquatica)
This aquatic plant is very common in Europe. It has a rhizome that is thickened to form a tuber. this allows the frog spoon to take root in a wide variety of soils. In nature, it is mainly found in ponds, ditches and flowing waters. Ribbon-like leaves are formed under water. On the other hand, a pyramid-shaped inflorescence grows above the water surface. The flowers can be white to reddish-white in color.
Expectations:
- Temperature 10 to 20 degrees
- Freshwater
- Light: 500 to 2000 lux
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
Christian Fischer, Ceratophyllum demersum (inflorescence), section from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
In nature, the hornwort inhabits ponds, ditches and canals, but can also be found in slow-flowing waters. There it grows at depths of one to two meters. But it is also a good choice for planting in domestic aquariums.
The shoot axis is branched and can be between 50 and 100 cm long. As a rule, large floating masses of plants are formed. Due to a colorless stem section, this plant can easily anchor itself in the substrate, but can also occur free-floating. There are no true roots. There are many whorled leaves on the stems. These are brittle, stiff and furnished with prickly thorns.
The hornwort reproduces vegetatively. Individual stem sections simply break off. Shoots that are too long can also be cut off and stuck in the sand. Small, inconspicuous flowers form under water in the leaf axils.
Expectations:
- Temperature 12 to 20 degrees
- Freshwater
- Light: 1000 to 5000 lux
Indian water feather (Hygrophila difformis)
Kephalian, Hygrophila difformis also known as water wisteria Submerged and Emmersed growth 2, crop from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
This plant has its origins in Indonesia and India. The shoot axis is quite thick and can reach a height of up to 60 cm. A dense row of lush green and deeply dissected leaves grows towards the water surface. The plant is very vigorous and requires a correspondingly large aquarium. In small tanks, it can very quickly overgrow everything and therefore has to be trimmed frequently. The water feather grows slightly above the water surface.
Expectations:
- Temperature 20 to 28 degrees
- Freshwater
- Light: 1000 to 5000 lux
Curled Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff (1950-2010), University of Connecticut, Potamogeton crispus 5447258, crop from Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0
The Krause pondweed is mainly found in calm, but also moderately fast waters. It has long and thin rhizomes that branch regularly. They are rooted to their full length. The stem is reddish-green in color and has wavy, toothed, oblong leaves of the same colour. Inconspicuous flowers form.
Expectations:
- Temperature 12 to 20 degrees
- Freshwater
- Light: 2000 to 5000 lux
Giant sump screw (Vallisneria gigantea)
Thomas.pixner, Riesenvallisnerie Aquarium, crop from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
This aquatic plant is originally from the Philippines. It is very fast-growing, just as decorative and therefore particularly suitable for planting in large, high aquariums. The plant grows densely with long strap- or ribbon-like leaves. These are usually turned over their entire length. They can form a dense carpet on the water surface. The sump screw or water screw is firmly anchored in the ground with roots. Propagation is by offshoots. The plant needs a lot of light.
Expectations:
- Temperature 18 to 28 degrees
- Fresh water, soft to medium hard
- pH neutral to acidic
- Light: 500 to 5000 lux
Milkhopper (Myriophyllum)
Myriophyllum aquaticum. Source: André Karwath aka Aka, Myriophyllum aquaticum - top (aka), crop from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.5
There are different types here. A central shoot axis that is rooted in the ground is characteristic. Sometimes the plant can also occur free-swimming. At intervals there are whorls with three to six thin, feather-like leaves. The plants are very soft-leaved and fragile. They live entirely under water, apart from the inflorescence, which appears slightly above the water surface. Although the plant loves brightness, it can quickly grow algae if there is too much light. Propagation is by side shoots. However, this aquatic plant should not be used for bottom-feeding fish.
Expectations:
- Temperature 18 to 30 degrees
- freshwater, soft
- pH neutral to alkaline
- Light: 1000 to 5000 lux
Water Spikes (Aponogeton)
Aponogeton madagascariensis
There are different types here. The best known is Aponogeton crispus. They are very delicate but beautiful and usually tall plants for planting in large aquariums. Originally these plants come from Africa, Asia and Australia. The stems are usually strong and covered with spear-shaped leaves up to 30 cm long. Water spikes are anchored to the ground with long, horizontal rhizomes. An 80 cm long flower stalk appears.
Expectations:
- Temperature 15 to 25 degrees
- freshwater, soft
- Light: 2000 to 5000 lux
Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
This is a floating plant. It belongs to the aroid family (Araceae). It mainly occurs in tropical regions of the world. The plant forms a lettuce-like leaf rosette with a diameter of up to 15 cm. The leaves are large, rounded and light green. Dense roots hang down in the water. Long runners on the mother plant constantly produce new plants. The water lettuce can form large floating carpets on the water surface.
Expectations:
- Temperature 15 to 25 degrees
- Freshwater
- Light: 1000 to 5000 lux
Spring moss (Fontinalis antipyretica)
Source: Bernd Haynold, Fontinalis antipyretica 251207a, crop from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
This type of moss occurs in a wide variety of bodies of water, including those with organic pollution. This moss is one of the most beautiful native aquatic plants. It forms dense, waving bushes. The sprout can grow up to 70 cm and even longer. The fountain moss, as the spring moss is also called, sticks to stones or tree trunks. By planting them in your aquarium, you ensure effective oxygenation while providing shelter for small invertebrates. Spring moss can be very changeable, for example it can take on a completely different appearance in a warm water aquarium after an acclimatization phase.
Expectations:
- Temperature 10 to 20 degrees
- Freshwater
- pH neutral to slightly acidic
- Light: 500 to 2000 lux