Lighting

Plants use light to photosynthesis, the reaction that produces food for the aquarium plants and creates energy for the tank. Although aquarium plants usually only require light from the blue of red spectrum to make energy, it is more aesthetically pleasing to the eyes of you and your viewers if you use light from all spectrum ranges. Although more expensive doesn’t always mean better, this is one case where money matters. Cheaper light bulbs tend to be dimmer and not provide the light intensity that water plants need to effectively photosynthesize. Also important to note that light bulbs should be changed frequently, at least every 6 months and preferably on a rotating schedule instead of all aquarium bulbs at once. Aim for a wattage between 1.5 and 3.0 for every gallon of water the tank holds. Aquarium plants in deeper tanks will require more intense lighting.

CO2

CO2, more specifically dissolved CO2, is usually necessary for the plants in the tank to effectively photosynthesize light and nutrients. A small amount of CO2 is released from the fish in the tank but it will likely not be enough to enable the aquarium plants to grow and produce energy. Carefully read the CO2 requirements of the water plants you choose since different plants have different needs and higher levels of CO2 can negatively influence some plants. Tanks with no added CO2 range about 1-3 ppm while most plants need about 10-20 ppm to most efficiently grow. This means that most tanks with aquarium plants will require some sort of CO2 injection.

Nutrients

Plants get a good deal of their needed nutrients from water and CO2, including hydrogen, oxygen and carbon but aquarium plants also need two other nutrients in order to flourish. These two nutrients are potassium and nitrogen. With enough fish in the tank, the plants will simply absorb nitrogen from the ammonium found in fish waste. Some plants transfer ammonium into nitrate before utilizing it but most plants will simply use the ammonium directly since it requires less energy to convert. Potassium proves more of a challenge to owners of aquarium plants since it is difficult to test for proper levels. Most fish food contains potassium and it is general practice that if there are enough nitrates in the tank than there is also an acceptable amount of potassium in the water.

Trace Elements

Trace elements are any material that the aquarium plants only need in a very small amount but are still essential to the growth of the plants.  Common trace elements include sulfur, calcium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. The first three trace elements on this list are usually found in tap water although water that is considered especially soft may be lacking calcium or magnesium. The level of nitrates in the water will also let you know if there is enough phosphorus. Special chemicals need to be added to prevent the iron in tap water from oxidizing into a form that aquarium plants cannot use.

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1. Types of Underwater Plants that can be used in Your Aquarium
2. Different Types of Sea Plants
3. Bonsai Care: Things To Consider When Caring For Your Plants

Having underwater plants in your aquarium can help it’s ecology in many ways.  It provides a habitat for your fish to live and breed, it can oxygenate the water in the aquarium, and it can be used as a source of food for some species of fish.  Live plants can help your aquarium as well by providing a place for baby fish to hide and grow and they are aesthetically pleasing.

Freshwater Aquarium Plants

Telanthera Osiris is one type of underwater plant that can be used in freshwater aquariums.  It is a small herbaceous plant that can grow both on the ground and submerged in the water.  This type of plant can be very colorful.  It ranges from a dark green or purple in the top part of the leaf and is a light green to orange on the bottom part.  This particular underwater plant may be challenging to grow in an aquarium.

The Lemon Bacopa (Water Hyssop) is a perennial underwater plant that’s leaves smell like lemons when crushed; it is a creeping herb plant.  It has blue flowers and is a very popular aquarium plant.  Its popularity is due in part to its beauty and in part due to its hardiness.  They are grown very easily in an aquarium and the leaf colors of this underwater plant will actually vary depending on how much light it receives.

Water Wisteria is an easy underwater plant for beginning aquarium growers to start with.  It is very beautiful and helps to keep your aquarium free of algae because it absorbs many of the nutrients in the water that algae needs to survive. 

Java Moss (Willow Moss) is another type of underwater plant that is commonly used in freshwater aquariums.  It is fairly easy to grow although it may take a while to get going.  This particular plant is very popular with aquarium enthusiasts to keep baby fish safe from other fish and even cannibalistic adult fish.  This plant is usually found tasty to shrimp and similar fish.  It should be grown in a part of the aquarium that offers a decent current, as it can get debris caught in it easily which gives it a less than appealing appearance.

Related posts:

1. Different Types of Sea Plants
2. Proper Care Of Aquarium Plants
3. How To Choose Water Plants For A Garden Pond