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Tank Plants are submerged plants.

Tank Plants die less.

Emersed vs. Submerged Plants​​

  • Emersed Plants

    • Grown above water, with roots submerged and leaves exposed to air.

    • Common in nurseries and farms because it's easier, cheaper, and faster for growth.

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  • Submerged Plants

    • Grown completely underwater — the way they’ll live in your aquarium.

    • Already adapted to underwater conditions (light, CO2, nutrient uptake).

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Submerging an Emersed Plant​

When you place an emersed plant into your aquarium:

  • It must adapt to underwater life.

  • Leaves grown in air can’t function underwater (they may rot).

  • The plant often sheds emersed leaves and grows new submerged leaves.

  • This process is called "dieback" or "melt".

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Why Tank Plants Are Better

  • Already adapted to:

    • Lower light diffusion in water

    • Different leaf shapes and structures

    • Nutrient and CO2 uptake underwater

  • Less likely to melt or die back

  • Faster to start growing in your tank

  • Less risk of algae

The Tank Cycle

Critical first steps.

Not cycling a tank before adding fish will likely result in fish death.
Learn why.

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Prepare the Tank for Life​

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  • Set Up Your Tank

    • Add substrate, decorations, and live plants.

    • Fill the tank with dechlorinated water.

    • Start your filter.

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  • Add an Ammonia Source​

    • Add a small amount of pure ammonia OR

    • Drop in a pinch of fish food and let it decompose.​

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  • Seed with Beneficial Bacteria 

    • Use filter media or gravel from an established tank.

    • Add bottled bacteria supplements 

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  • Test the Water Regularly

    • Use a liquid test kit to monitor:

      • First, ammonia will increase.

      • Second, nitrite will appear.

      • Finally, nitrate will rise as ammonia and nitrite drop to zero.​

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  • Wait for the Cycle to Complete

    • Cycling takes 3–6 weeks.

    • A cycled tank will test at:

      • Ammonia = 0 ppm

      • Nitrite = 0 ppm

      • Nitrate is present (e.g., 5–40 ppm)

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  • Add Fish and Critters Slowly

    • Add only a few fish at a time to avoid overloading the bacteria.

    • Keep testing water to ensure levels stay safe.

Substrate, Light, CO2 & Nutrients.

Combine & Succeed

Grow Live Aquarium Plants

1. Lighting – The Energy Source for Plants

  • Use a full-spectrum LED light that mimics natural daylight.

  • Run lights for about 6–8 hours per day, adjusting to prevent algae growth.

2. Substrate – The Nutrient Foundation

  • Choose a nutrient-rich aquarium soil designed to support aquatic plants.

  • Substrate provides essential nutrients and anchors plant roots.

3. Fertilizers – Supplying Nutrients

Plants require specific nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron and magnesium.

  • Liquid fertilizers supply nutrients to plants through their leaves and stems.

  • Root tabs or tablets deliver nutrients directly to heavy root feeders.

4. CO2 Injection 

  • CO2 injection is optional

  • CO2 is critical for photosynthesis and vigorous plant development.

  • Use a drop checker to monitor CO2 concentration.

  • Place the CO2 diffuser opposite the pump output to maximize distribution.

  • CO2 injection should start before lights turn on and stop before lights turn off.

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Balancing Light, Nutrients, and CO₂

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  • These three elements must work together:

    • Too much light without enough nutrients or CO2 can cause algae.

    • Nutrients or CO2 without adequate light won’t support healthy plant growth.

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Balance is key.

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Control Algae

Helpful critters

 Recommended Critters for Algae Control

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 Nerite Snails

  • Best For: Spot algae, diatoms, film algae on glass and hardscape

  • Pros: Can’t reproduce in freshwater, won’t overpopulate

  • Note: Leave tiny white eggs that don’t hatch in freshwater

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 Neocaridina Shrimp (Cherry Shrimp)

  • Best For: Biofilm, soft algae on plants and surfaces

  • Pros: Hardy, colorful, fun to watch, breed readily

  • Note: Need gentle filtration and stable water conditions

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Amano Shrimp

  • Best For: Hair algae, black beard algae, leftover food

  • Pros: Larger and more aggressive algae eaters than neos

  • Note: Don’t breed in freshwater; great team players with other species

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Ghost Shrimp

  • Best For: Soft algae, scavenging

  • Pros: Inexpensive, widely available

  • Note: Less effective than Amanos; may nip fish fins in some cases

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Otocinclus Catfish (Otos)

  • Best For: Soft green algae on leaves and glass

  • Pros: Peaceful, stay small, great in groups

  • Note: Sensitive to poor water quality; only add to mature, well-cycled tanks

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CO2 Injection

Accelerated plant growth.

 What Is CO₂ Injection?

CO₂ (carbon dioxide) injection supplies plants with a key ingredient for photosynthesis, helping them grow faster, healthier, and more vibrant. It’s especially useful in tanks with medium to high lighting or demanding plant species.

 Why Plants Need CO₂

Photosynthesis:
CO₂ + Light + Nutrients → Plant Growth + Oxygen

In most aquariums, natural CO₂ levels are low. Without supplementation, plants may struggle, especially under strong lighting.

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Benefits of CO₂ Injection

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💨 Faster, Fuller GrowthCO₂ accelerates plant metabolism.

🌱 Healthier PlantsStronger roots, denser foliage.

🧼 Natural Algae SuppressionThriving plants outcompete algae.

🐠 More Oxygen (during the day)Healthier fish and inverts.

🎨 Enhanced ColorationReds pop more under optimal CO₂.

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Pro Tips for Effective CO₂ Injection

  1. Place the Diffuser Opposite the Filter Output

    • This ensures CO₂-rich microbubbles are carried throughout the tank by water flow.

    • Avoid dead spots where CO₂ may accumulate but not dissolve.

  2. Aim for the Smallest Bubbles Possible

    • Fine mist = more surface area = better absorption.

    • Use a quality ceramic diffuser and clean it regularly.

  3. Use a Drop Checker, Not Just a Bubble Counter

    • Bubble counters show CO₂ flow rate, but don’t measure tank levels.

    • A drop checker with a pH indicator solution turns green when CO₂ is ~30 ppm (ideal).

    • Blue = too little; yellow = too much (can stress fish).

  4. Glycerol in the Bubble Counter (Optional)

    • Glycerol is thicker than water, so bubbles move slower and are easier to count

    • It evaporates more slowly too, reducing refills.

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CO₂ Timing Tip

  • Use a timer to start CO₂ 1–2 hours before lights come on and stop it 1 hour before lights go off.

  • Plants don’t use CO₂ at night, so running it 24/7 wastes gas and can stress fish.

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