Aquatic Plants
Preparing Nature Aquariums for Long-Term Maintenance | TFH Magazine
Producing a Nature Aquarium for Long-Term Maintenance
Takashi Amano advocated the long-term maintenance of Nature Aquarium aquascapes.
Keeping Swordplants of the Genus Echinodorus | TFH Magazine
The Planted Tank: Swordplants: Not Just for Amazonian Fish Tanks
With summer in full gear, I figured I’d talk about one of my favorite genera for indoor and outdoor aquaria alike: swordplants (genus Echinodorus).
Iwagumi Planted Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
An Iwagumi Layout with Radially Arranged Stones
Many different stones may be used in iwagumi layouts.
Aquatic Carnivorous Plants for Fish Tanks | TFH Magazine
Plants That Bite Back: Keeping Carnivorous Plants
Carnivorous plants are an option for aquascapers seeking unique plantlife that goes beyond the passivity of traditional species, but they have the potential to consume animals like any other predator.
Starting a Beginner Planted Tank | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Setting Up a Successful Low-Tech Planted Tank like a Pro, Part 1: The Basics
It can be difficult for a beginner to know how to incorporate plants into their setup with the amount of conflicting information out there, but a professional aquascaper breaks it down and makes it easy for anyone to start a planted tank.
How to Grow Aquarium Plants | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A No-Fuss Planted Aquarium
If you’re daunted by all of the prevalent high-tech aquascapes but still want a lush planted tank for your home, there are techniques that can help you create a simple, low-cost setup.
Aquarium Scenery | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Enjoying a Layout Longer by Replanting the Background
As time passes, stem plants in the background of a Nature Aquarium layout can decline and require replanting.
How to Set Up a Planted Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Expressing Perspective Through Aquatic Plant Arrangement
The aquascaping master describes a novel technique for creating the illusion of depth in a layout through creative planting.
Helanthium tenellum Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Helanthium tenellum
Helanthium tenellum, the pygmy chain sword, can be found as a bog plant from the northern United States through Central America to Paraguay, South America.
Echinodorus grisebachii Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Echinodorus grisebachii
The Amazon sword has been widely used in the aquarium hobby for decades.
How to Plant an Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Creatting a Natural Feel by Combining Undergrowth Plants
The aquascaping master describes how several species of short plants can be incorporated in the Nature Aquarium layout to convey the impression of vast, open space.
Pogostemon helferi Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Pogostemon helferi
Relatively new to the United States aquarium hobby, Pogostemon helferi has an unmistakable and unique appearance.
Blyxa aubertii Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Blyxa aubertii
Blyxa aubertii is a species that has been around for many years, but it is not terribly popular and has never become truly well-established in the hobby.
Tropical Lilies in Home Pond | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Bring Your Pond to Life with Tropical Lilies
Tropical water lilies can play a large part in emphasizing the beauty and tranquility of a garden pond through their dramatic coloration and elegant contours.
Hemianthus micranthemoides Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Hemianthus (Micranthemum) micranthemoides
Hemianthus micranthemoides is a well-known species that is popular in the hobby.
Anubias barteri Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Anubias barteri var. "nana gold"
Most aquarium hobbyists are familiar with the genus of plants named Anubias.
Fish Tank Plants: An Informed Guide to Impulse Buys | TFH Magazine
The Planted Tank: Impulse Buying for the Planted Aquarium
Though buying fish on the spur of the moment is never recommended, most aquarists will, at one time or another, make a spontaneous decision to buy new fish for their aquarium.
Aquarium Driftwood Structure | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Driftwood Structure in the Nature Aquarium
The pioneer of the modern planted aquascape demonstrates the multiple ways that driftwood and moss can form the foundation for a layout’s overall impression.
Lagenandra meeboldii Pink Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Lagenandra meeboldii "pink"
Lagenandra meeboldii “pink” is a plant that is not frequently encountered in the hobby.
Gardening for the Nano Aquascape | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Aquatic Gardening, Nano Style
Tiny aquatic gardens are all the rage; perfect for the aquarist with limited space, or for those who simply enjoy the aesthetic of a scale-model planted layout, with all the benefits and challenges that come with it.
Ludwigia x lacustris Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Ludwigia x lacustris
Ludwigia x lacustris is an aquatic herb that was introduced relatively recently to the aquarium hobby.
Ludwigia inclinata Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Ludwigia inclinata
Ludwigia inclinata is an aquatic herb found in wet areas, sometimes on the beds of dried ponds or lakes, either submerged or with emergent stems.
Cryptocoryne wendtii Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Native to the island of Sri Lanka, Cryptocoryne wendtii is one of the most common and widely used aquarium plants available today.
Syngonanthus sp. "Belem" Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Syngonanthus sp. "Belem"
Syngonanthus sp.“BelÉm” is one of the newer plants to arrive in the hobby, becoming widespread only over the past few years.
Dwarf Rotala Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Rotala rotundifolia
Rotala rotundifolia is a classic aquarium plant and a staple of the hobby.
Bolbitis heudelotii Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Bolbitis heudelotii
Also known as African water fern, African fern, or simply as bolbitis, originates in the tropical regions of Africa.
Bacopa caroliniana Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Bacopa caroliniana
Bacopa caroliniana is one of the most popular and easily obtained plants in the aquarium hobby.
Tonina fluviatilis Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Tonina fluviatilis
The name fluviatilis refers to being associated with rivers, and in nature Tonina fluviatilis is typically found in shallow water growing as floating mats in slow-moving streams.
Mudwort (Elatine triandra) Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Elatine triandra
Elatine triandra is a delightful foreground plant. Its small stem width of ½ to 1 inch, rich bright green color, and ease of growth make it a beautiful choice in any size aquarium.
Crinum calamistratum Species| Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Crinum calamistratum
Crinum calamistratum is an aquatic plant from Central Africa that has been available in the hobby for several years now.
Rotala macrandra Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Rotala macrandra
Rotala macrandra has a well-deserved reputation as a favorite in the aquarium hobby.
Ranunculus inundatus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Ranunculus inundatus
Australia is a relatively untapped source of flora that can be used in the foreground and midground of aquariums.
Polygonum sp. "Kawagoeanum" Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Polygonum sp. "Kawagoeanum"
Polygonum sp. “Kawagoeanum” has a bamboo-like appearance. It is a rapid grower that is easily cultivated.
Cryptocoryne crispatula Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cryptocoryne crispatula var. "balansae"
Originating in southern Thailand, Cryptocoryne crispatula var. “balansae” is found in fast-flowing streams that are high in calcium content due to limestone in the surrounding soils.
Pogostemon stellatus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Pogostemon stellatus
Pogostemon stellatus is a stunning stem plant originating from Southeast Asia and Australia.
Blyxa japonica Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Blyxa japonica
Blyxa japonica is a beautiful species that has gained widespread popularity in the hobby over the past five or ten years.
Nano Tank Plants From the Serbian Countryside | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Natural Nanos From the Serbian Countryside
Establishing a novel and detailed aquascape is no simple task; achieving one in mere milliliters of water is masterful.
Iwagumi Layout in the Nature Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Creating an Iwagumi Layout in the Nature Aquarium
The world-famous aquascape artist reveals his method for re-creating the aesthetic of a Japanese rock garden in the planted aquarium.
Maintaining Aquarium Moss & Plants | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Maintaining Shade-Loving Plants in the Nature Aquarium
The genius of the planted aquascape discusses the upkeep of ferns, mosses, and other shade-loving plants for the long-term enjoyment of the Nature Aquarium layout.
Aquatic Cryptocoryne | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Aquatic Aroid Cryptocoryne and Its Habitats in Malaysian Borneo
The author, a native of Malaysian Borneo, details his experiences collecting the many species of Cryptocoryne growing wild in the waterways of his homeland.
How to Get Rid of Hair Algae | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Planted Tank: What a Mess! Hair Algae in the Planted Tank
Hideous, hairy, stringy, matted, algae is the bane of the planted aquarium keeper.
Echinodorus cordifolius | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Mud King: Echinodorus cordifolius
A look at the different varieties of Echinodorus cordifolius, a large-growing focal point for the planted aquarium.
Trimming Aquatic Plants | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Trimming to Refine the Nature Aquarium
The planted tank virtuoso shares his method for trimming plants in the Nature Aquarium to both maintain and improve the layout over time.
Vallisneria Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Planted Tank: Vallisneria
Vallisneria is the truly classic aquarium plant. A tall rosette-type plant, it’s easily propagated and is one of the earliest plants used in the aquarium hobby
Moving Pond Plants to the Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Planted Tank: From Pond to Aquarium
I was browsing through discounted books on a shopping trip last winter, and I found a nice little one on pond plants.
Aquarium CO2 for Light-Loving Plants | TFH Magazine
Proper CO2 Injection for Light-Loving Plants in the Nature Aquarium
The celebrated aquatic plant maestro shares his techniques for using CO2 to obtain optimal plant growth in the Nature Aquarium layout.
Fish Tank Layout Advice | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
A Long-Term Layout for the Nature Aquarium
The master of the planted aquascape discusses ways to keep the Nature Aquarium healthy and beautiful over time.
Managing a Successful Planted Tank | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Planted Tank: Dealing With Success
Once you have your planted aquarium successfully running, you’ll soon find yourself faced with problems resulting from your good fortune, and wondering what to do with all the excess plants growing in your tank.
Lotus Care in the Koi Pond | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Lotus for Your Koi Pond
A koi pond represents one of the many pinnacles of the aquarium hobby.
Aquascape Ideas for Nature Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Natural Composition in the Nature Aquarium
A discussion of the selection and placement of rocks, driftwood, and plants to create a natural composition in the Nature Aquarium.
Floating Aquarium Plants | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Planted Tank: Floating Plants in the Aquarium
The top of the water and the surface above it is the best place for light and gas exchange.
Lighting the Nature Aquarium| Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Cuttlefish Husbandry
Considered the ultimate invertebrates by their fans, the otherworldly cuttlefish make great pets for those willing to meet their very specific needs.
Mastering Aquarium Substrate | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Mastering Substrate in the Nature Aquarium
The aquatic plant layout master explains the key role of substrate composition in the long-term maintenance of the planted aquascape.
Going High-Tech to Aquascape Your Fish Tank | TFH Magazine
The Planted Tank: Going High-Tech
There are many options when keeping a planted tank, and they each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Aquarium Plant Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Maintaining the Nature Aquarium
Plant trimming and algae control are two of the main keys to keeping the Nature Aquarium layout healthy and beautiful over the long term.
Aquarium Fertilizer Guide | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Fertilizers in the Nature Aquarium
Liquid fertilizers and nutritive substrates are essential to growing healthy and beautiful aquatic plants in the Nature Aquarium layout.
Secrets of the Madagascar Lace Plant | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Planted Tank: The Secrets of the Madagascar Lace Plant
The Madagascar lace needs little introduction. It is unique among aquatic plants.
Maintaining a Lotus Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Aquarium Lilies
A look at some of the beautiful lilies and lily-like plants for the aquarium, as well as some tips on making them an attractive and functional element in your aquascape.
Easy Rosettes | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Planted Tank: Easy Rosettes
Rosette plants grow their leaves from a central short stem, similar in appearance to a rose blossom.
Maintaining Aquarium Water Quality | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Maintaining Water Quality in the Nature Aquarium
The world-renowned aquatic plant maestro discusses the importance of water quality in the Nature Aquarium and suggests ways to keep your parameters up to par.
Aquarium Lighting & CO2 for the Planted Tank | TFH Magazine
Balancing Light and CO2 in the Nature Aquarium
This month the aquatic plant layout expert discusses proper lighting and CO2 injection in the Nature Aquarium and how to keep these elements in balance.
Aquatic Plant Biology for Beginners | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Planted Tank: Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology, Part 3, How Plants Work
My previous two columns looked at the history of botany, the structure of plants, and some of the terminology used within this subject.
Botany: Anatomy of a Plant | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Planted Tank: Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology, Part 2: Anatomy of a Plant
Last month I gave a very brief review of botany from a historical perspective.
Filtration in the Nature Aquarium | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
Filtration in the Nature Aquarium
The celebrated planted aquarium guru reviews some important filtration considerations for the Nature Aquarium, including filter volume, media, and water flow.