If we think of an aquarium dedicated to Lake Malawi, we imagine it probably made up solely of rocks and stones of various forms. But if we want to give a touch of color and originality in our aquarium, we may enter the plants. In the pictures below you can see the same aquarium with different compositions, with greater or lesser inclusion of plants.
this ecosystem purists will disagree on what is written above, but if well chosen and placed in the right way, the plants will make a harmony to the final composition of your aquarium. Plants
notes, which are to our case, there are many, their main characteristic is to be strong and resistant plants but not for this we must leave out some things.
The plants are commonly used:
- Vallisneria;
- Egeria dense
- Anubias barteri;
- Microsorum pteropus;
The first two fall into the family of fast-growing plants (so they absorb nitrates and are a great natural filter) and excellent allies to create visual barriers between the natural fish, reducing their aggression. Both are plants that go underground even though the dense Egeria grows even if kept floating. The remaining varieties
instead have a growing slow and you need to re-create a habitat for them that do not cover the face of algae. To prevent rot, we must avoid burying it completely. This type of plant is well suited to be anchored to wood or rocks.
Choose plants.
As for the choice of a fish, the plants must be healthy at first glance, that there shall be no marcerescenze must have a deep green color, and have no holes in the leaves. We must not frighten us if our accommodation in the aquarium a few days after we see them perish. This is because many plants are grown outdoors, and when they are included in the new habitat can lose all the sheets, which then grow back more beautiful than before. My advice is to take plants already adapted to aquatic life from the tanks of friends and this forum malawitoso may be helpful.
If plants were bought in stores, so before placing them in our aquarium we proceed as follows:
- The first thing to do is to remove the basket of plastic from the plant and all the wool that surrounds the roots.
For your convenience you can use a toothpick being careful not to damage the root system. If the plants will be anchored to a tree or a tree, then the roots must not be shortened. For all plants that sprouted the roots go underground eliminating those marches.
- Completed the work we can do is put the plants in our aquarium.
Positioning plant in the aquarium
Vallisneria el'egeria dense plants that are mainly to be inserted in the bottom of the aquarium. They can also be exploited to give continuity to two rock detached from one another, giving the total picture of your aquarium linearity and uniformity throughout. Recently emerging in Vallisneria small selections that lend themselves well to be put not only on bottom, but also at the center of the tank.
More attention must be devoted to instead Microsorum Anubias and if we decide to anchor them to a log or a stone. In this case we must use the nylon line (fishing line) or there are stretch cotton that are used in gardening and that you can buy in garden centers. These should be removed once the plant is anchored to perfection in our media or if they are not invasive and hidden from view, then they can also be left in peace.
In this case I used to support a wood, but believe me it is also planted on rocks easy and the results spectacular.
Sometimes we allow certain stones or wood, drawing on their harshness, to anchor the plants without the use of fishing line or elastic threads. Another trick I used, though not everyone will agree but it works, is to attack the plant with a small drop of attack, of course, before putting the plant in the aquarium, this drop should be well dried and evaporated.
pruning and creation of new plants
Vallisneria propagates in stolonature, briefly creating an infinite number of small plants. We can decide to let them attack each other, or cut them and place them where we want. But be careful because this plant secretes a substance in the soil allopathic (not harmful to fish) which prevents the growth of other plants. Do not trim the leaves of this plant when it reaches the top of our aquarium, but always prefer to cut the leaves at their base, so you'll always be a beautiful plant in its appearance. The
Egeria dense but does not require special attention. Produces aerial roots and to create new plants we can trim the stem of the plant near a branch, which will be buried or left to float in the tub.
For both of these plants, so that our friends can root out the criminals, it's always good to near their under some stones that they will desist from playing with our plants. For
anubias instead we must be careful that the rhizome is never buried and otherwise the plant will tend to rot. The same rhizome will be cut to form a new plant. Given the slow growth the plant will tend to become covered with black algae annoying, so to avoid exposing the plant to direct sunlight. Shaded areas are ideal for growing this plant. The
Microsorum pteropus plant is very easy to play and to keep in aquarium. To create new plants we can cut the rhizome of the mother plant, or we can take only one leaf and tie it on a wood or stone and quickly give rise to a new plant. For light there are those who do not recommend placing it in direct sunlight. I have always performed well positioned either to direct light in dimly lit areas. Since the leaves of this plant are toxic, caution should be exercised that the fish eat.
Fertilizer Fertilizer in these types of bathtub with a very high pH is of secondary importance. I therefore limited to acting only in a targeted way, if proof were needed, with the use of potassium sulphate dissolved in water osmosis. Only you can do if our dear Vallisneria runner none of it and grow healthy and strong, is to insert special pads to nourish the roots of plants. Because I love the "do-it-yourself" I advise you to use "sticks Universal COMPO." You can find it in garden shops or garden centers and cost a few euro. The correct dose is that 2 / 3 sticks to a well planted aquarium of 100 liters, but in our case a piece to be planted in the proximity of the roots of our plant and 'more than enough. Of course the stick of fertilizer should be well buried and should not come into contact with the aquifer.
Finally I am experimenting the use of other plants that can resist the behavior of our loved ones lively fish.
I hope not to have bored you and I hope that this mini guide can help you.
0 comments:
Post a Comment