Most beginner aquarists for some reason believe that plants for the underwater kingdom bring only additional worries and troubles to the owners. But this is a serious misconception, which we will try to dispel in this article.
We will present you the popular algae for the aquarium. The photo and name of the plant you like will help you make the right choice for your body of water. Now there are many different plants for the underwater kingdom. Among them are those that are really difficult to care for. But along with them there are plants that do not require special care.
Algae for the aquarium are the simplest plants, although sometimes they are attributed to the kingdom of protists (Protista). Blue-green algae is even referred to as bacteria. They can be the size of unicellular microscopic organisms to grass of 70 meters in length.
These are the oldest inhabitants of the Earth who carried out the first photosynthesis more than three and a half billion years ago. Algae can reproduce in all water bodies: with salty, fresh, clean, muddy, fast flowing or standing water.
The benefits of aquarium plants
For the life of the underwater inhabitants, algae in the aquarium are of great importance. The species, photos of which we present below, perform several important functions. They create a special aquarium biosystem, purify water from harmful substances, serve as a natural interior and a "maternity home" for fry, fish, snails, shrimps, additional food for many underwater inhabitants and finally just decorate the house: with them your home pond will look natural and aesthetically pleasing .
Often, experienced fish lovers achieve amazing biological balance with plants in the aquarium. They even no longer need water filtration and mechanical aeration. However, in order to accomplish this, it is necessary to know algae for the aquarium well. Photos and the name of these plants are often published by special publications for beginners who love to observe the underwater world.
Growing plants
If you are going to get an aquarium, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions for its inhabitants. For breeding plants, it is important to choose the right soil, stock up with the necessary fertilizers to feed and think about good lighting. Let us dwell on each of the listed items.
Priming
Algae in the aquarium - species whose names are not known to everyone - are very diverse. All of them require an individual approach to the selection of soil: some plants do not need it at all, while others, on the contrary, require a lot of it. Nevertheless, there is a general rule: the soil for plants should be a layer of up to five centimeters with an average grain size. This thickness will allow plants to take root.
The planted plant should first be pressed down with pebbles, tied with fishing line to root. Often aquarists make a mistake by tying a lead weight to the roots - this should not be done. Yes, in this case, the plant does not pop up and the fish will not be able to tear it out. But do not forget that lead is oxidized, it does not allow the root system of the plant to develop.
Fertilizer fertilizer
Algae for the aquarium are living things, so they, like fish, need food. Modern aquarists have no problem with this. In almost every pet store, liquid conditioners or plant pills can be purchased. For example, Tetra Crypto. The tablets are crushed and applied monthly under the root system. Such a tool strengthens and protects planted plants.
The composition of the drug includes plant hormone, which enhances growth, stimulates the development of roots, and enhances the resistance of plants to diseases due to the content of macro substances.
Tetra crypto
This is one of the most popular top dressings for aquarium plants. It helps the normal development of the root system. The composition of the tablets includes micronutrients and iron. They do not have nitrates, phosphates. Means does not cause turbidity of water.
The tablet acts for a long time, promotes the development of necessary microorganisms, and prevents the growth of harmful algae.
Lighting
Algae in the aquarium, the photos of which you see below, cannot live without light - without it, the process of photosynthesis is impossible. Lighting features are individual. They depend on what kind of algae you grow in the aquarium. Plant species can be divided into two categories. Among them are very photophilous and requiring moderate lighting.
Algae in the aquarium: types, photos and names
All plants can be divided into separate groups:
- floating on the surface of the water;
- fixed in the ground.
Often, novice lovers do not know the name of the algae for the aquarium, but at the same time they notice them everywhere: on gravel and sand, plants and stones, equipment and walls. This is normal because algae are part of the body of water, but only if they do not develop excessively.
A balanced aquarium should have clear, well-purified, mixed water and spotlessly clean glass, although many owners prefer not to clean all the walls: they leave the rear glass covered with fouling. Noticed: algae on the walls of the aquarium or on stones absorb nitrates and many decay products, thereby reducing the growth of algae on the side and front windows. In addition, some species of fish feed on the back wall, for example, all types of chain catfish.
Some types of algae are especially common and cause a lot of problems to owners of aquariums. Here are just a few of them.
Filamentous green algae
They have the form of long threads of green color and grow from the stems and leaves of plants up. This species needs a lot of light. “Threads,” as aquarists often call these algae, can be fatal because they consume a lot of the nutrients needed by ornamental plants. You can control their development and growth by removing them manually or using fish that are happy to eat algae.
Fibrous
They are a thin cobweb that spreads on the leaves of plants. They can reach two centimeters in length. Fibrous algae develop most often in water with an excessive content of nitrates and can cause plant death. Algae-eater fish (Siamese algae-eater), as well as snails that feed on this vegetation, will help to fight them. Regular and frequent changes of water will save your aquarium from these algae.
Floating
This species for a beginner may seem like just green water. But it consists of volvox algae. As a rule, the reason for the appearance of this species is the excessive feeding of the inhabitants of the aquarium. They can be removed by filtration, UV lighting, large water changes. In addition, special chemicals can be used.
Green spots
It is impossible not to say about this species, representing harmful algae in the aquarium. Species, photos and names of these plants can be seen in the reference literature on aquarium. Green spots are dark green small algae, forming small round spots on the glass and leaves of plants.
This species develops in water containing an insufficient amount of nutrients, as well as its unstable parameters. Normalization of the internal environment of the reservoir, as well as snails and fish, for which algae is a favorite treat, will help you get rid of this variety.
Bouquets (bunches)
The name of this species is fully consistent with the shape of the plants. These are really beams up to three centimeters in size. These are very common algae in aquariums, where the lighting is redundant, and there is also an excessive content of nutrients. The bundles are removed by hand or fed to fish.
Blue-green algae
This variety forms a fairly dense layer covering the soil and plants. Blue-green algae in the aquarium develop due to excessive lighting. Contributes to their appearance and a high level of phosphates and nitrates. Blue algae in the aquarium are capable of releasing substances harmful to fish. Even algae eaters often refuse to eat because of bad taste. Ampulariums can slow their growth, but you should not rely on them. In this case, serious treatment is necessary.
You should completely turn off the lighting and darken the aquarium for a week, combining this with massive water changes.
Black algae: spots
And now we will tell you what to do if you find black algae in the aquarium, and how to deal with them. This species forms small black spots on plants. Unfortunately, the cause of their appearance has not yet been precisely determined, but excess light and nitrates can contribute to the further spread of spots.
To cope with this species is not easy, experts recommend a radical way to deal with it - the complete removal of diseased leaves.
Black beard
These algae indicate that the amount of organic waste that serves as a food for the beard has increased dramatically in the aquarium. These algae are often located on plants and the walls of the aquarium. This is a thick, disgusting-looking black carpet. How to deal with it?
First of all, it is necessary to lower the level of organics. After cleaning the soil, changing the water and filtering it, the growth of black beard slows down. In addition, this variety settles in places with a strong current: on the surface of the filters, on their tubes. The current provides the beard with abundant nutrition, organic residues settle on its surface. Therefore, we recommend reducing aeration in the aquarium. In order to reduce nutrients in the water, in addition to harvesting, one should plant fast-growing plant species: naias, elodea.
Diatoms (brown algae)
And these algae, unlike previously presented ones, appear in aquariums poorly lit, with a high content of phosphates and nitrates, in which the pH is higher than 7. Brown algae creates an unpleasant brown layer on stones, glasses, plants, which snails and fish remove. Diatoms die off after the state of water improves and the light intensity increases.
Beautiful algae
We introduced you to common, but unwanted algae in the aquarium. They give owners a lot of trouble. The species, names and photos of these plants, we hope, will help you to start a fight with them in a timely manner. And now we want to introduce you to very spectacular plants that will undoubtedly decorate your aquarium.
Giant wallisneria
This is the largest variety of the genus Wallysneria. It is suitable for large aquariums with a depth of at least fifty centimeters. It is better to plant it at the back wall. Leaves have a deep dark green color. Active development requires nutritious soil and bright lighting. So that the plant does not completely cover the surface of the water, it must be thinned periodically. Comfortable temperature - +25 ° C.
Tiger Wallisneria spiral
This variety of Wallisneria is selective. It grows and develops very quickly, the leaves are bright green, saturated color. The plant is hardy and unpretentious in care. On the leaves there are strips that resemble a tiger pattern. This species propagates in a vegetative way, by dividing the shoots, called arrows. These algae can be kept at water temperatures up to +25 ° C, with an acidity of 6.0 pH.
Riccia
This variety belongs to floating algae for the aquarium, which perfectly develop in moderately warm water. In vivo are found in many countries of the world. Bright green openwork weaves create a beautiful cover that resembles islands. These algae have no stems, no leaves, no root system.
Riccia is a thallus of flat small plates interwoven with each other. Richchia is often used as a spawning substrate for breeding fish; it is excellent for sheltering fry. With increased water hardness, algae develops slowly. Recommended temperature is + 22 ° C.
Hornwort submerged
Perennial algae floating on the surface of the water, because it does not have a root system. When the temperature drops, it sinks to the depth of the aquarium and slows down growth. The stems of the plant are long, the leaves are needle-shaped and very small. This species is ideal for aquariums, as it is an ideal shelter for fry. Large fish will not find juveniles in the leaves of this algae, on the leaflets there are microorganisms that will become food for fry.
Hornwort can be used as a spawning substrate. Fish will lay eggs on it, which will firmly adhere to the needle leaves. Hornwort is best immersed in a moderately warm or cold aquarium, with normal water hardness and a neutral pH. This species needs good lighting, so daylight hours are allowed for more than twelve hours a day.
Kladofora spherical
This alga belongs to the cladophore family. Ornamental plant for freshwater aquariums. Its structure is a colony of green filamentous algae, interwoven and forming a dense ball. The birthplace of this plant is Japan. In vivo it grows up to ten centimeters, in an aquarium it does not exceed six centimeters in length.
In the aquarium, the balls are placed at the bottom, and they themselves are attached to the substrate. In the morning, the cladophore emits oxygen. Air bubbles appear inside the ball, it becomes light, almost weightless, and floats to the surface. In the evening, oxygen becomes much less, and the ball again lowers to the very bottom.
Marimo can only be kept in cool water at a temperature of no more than +20 ° C. At a higher temperature, the shape of the tuber deforms, the ball breaks up into small fragments. Lighting for this type is moderate, daylight hours - at least ten hours.