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Epiphytes: the BEST beginner aquarium plants
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One of the most common questions we get at Pond Life Aquatics and Tropical Fish London is: what plants should I have in my aquarium? Now, this is obviously a nuanced question. How big is their aquarium? What are they keeping? What's their lighting situation like? These are all important factors, and while we can give general advice, the best plants for your aquarium will depend on your specific setup. We're always happy to chat through your needs in-store or via our contact page – so don't hesitate to get in touch! Most commonly, however, this is a question asked by beginner aquarists and Aquascapers. As such they usually have a relatively low budget aquarium and or have no experience in keeping aquarium planting. So what do we recommend?
Inevitably we always come back to epiphyte species: Anubias, Java fern, Bucephlandra, and Bolbitis. What is an epiphyte? They are easy to keep, typically low light requirement plants, that are slow growing, still offer benefits to water quality, require no substrate and very little supplementation. The only downside of them is that they need to typically be attached to hardscape (hardly a downside!).
So, why are epiphytes so great for beginners? Besides being low-maintenance, they also play a vital role in maintaining a healthy aquarium environment. These plants absorb excess nutrients, like nitrates, which are produced by fish waste and can be harmful in high concentrations. By removing nitrates, epiphytes help to keep your water cleaner and clearer, reducing the risk of algae blooms and creating a more balanced ecosystem for your fish.
As such we usually steer beginner aquarists into buying planted pieces of wood or rock. These are natural-looking, stunning pieces for beginner aquarists that allow them to create a natural-looking aquarium without all the hassle of planting themselves. Plus, attaching epiphytes yourself isn't as tricky as it might seem! You can use aquarium-safe glue to attach the plant's rhizome (the thick, horizontal stem) to your chosen hardscape. Just make sure the area is clean and dry before applying the glue. Another method is to use fishing line or cotton thread to tie the plant to the hardscape until it attaches itself. Just be sure to remove the thread once the plant's roots have taken hold.
Additionally, we recently started stocking the SuperFish Deco range. A stunning selection of pottery pieces with grown-on Anubias of various species. These pieces of pottery add a sense of dynamism to any aquarium, offering hide spaces for fish while offering all the benefits of a planted piece of natural hardscape.
So if you want to buy your own epiphytes to attach to your own hardscape with aquarium glue, get some natural looking pre-planted hardscape, or buy a beautiful planted piece of pottery; check out our full range on the website and in-shop today.
If you have any queries about anything to do with stock get in touch on our contact us page. Additionally for all you need to know on the basics of aquarium planting: check out our back to basics video on YouTube now!
Harris Bard
Pond Life Aquatics
Company Director