An Artificial Freshwater Aquarium Plant That Everyone Wants

When people started to keep fishes in captivity for aesthetic reasons (the little

creatures have that universal, mesmerizing appeal to people simply by swimming around) some 4,500 years or so ago, things were simpler. They used natural rocks and sand and plants to decorate their ponds for their pets. Today, with all the modern devices to enhance the visual ambiance inside an aquarium, there grew some controversy on the proper use of plants. Should one use the real live plants which actually occur in nature, or should one use artificial freshwater aquarium plants in reconstituting the look of the fish's natural habitat? With modern life getting more complex, the question goes through different hurdles now. Is it aesthetically pleasing? Which is economically viable (costly or otherwise) in the long run? Which choice is labor-intensive and therefore not good alternative for the disinclined (lazy)? Choosing a live plant or an artificial freshwater aquarium plant can be stressful.Where 4,500 years ago people stocked fishes in their man-made ponds for the dual purpose of food and entertainment, today's freshwater aquarium creatures are seldom edible. Most of them are kept for their color, for their form and sometimes for their eccentricities. (They can be very eccentric - some hide all the time and come out only during dinner, some sleep floating vertically, some try hard to look ugly all the time, and some chase and eat their neighbors.)Their modern aquariums are some of the most well-equipped and well-maintained habitats in modern life for a living creature - much of the equipment if not all of it is custom to the point where the aquarium is an almost perfectly balanced ecosystem. Each one of these modern conveniences for the fish has been met with approval by everyone, all except the question between real freshwater plants and artificial ones to be used.Live Freshwater Aquarium PlantsReal live plants provide the aquarium a more natural environment for the fish and with some benefits only a natural living thing can give. In contributing to the aquarium ecosystem, live plants breathe and help distribute nutrients for the fish. They give off oxygen (needed by the fish) and take in carbon dioxide (expelled by the fish) in a favorable exchange of gases.This process might reverse at night when the aquarium will need a little extra owner-away care. Thus, in aquarium tanks that are heavily planted, carbon dioxide can rise considerably and may be dangerous to the fish. (They tend to go to the top and gasp for air.) The oxygen air pump should be running in cases like this at night.FoodReal plants can serve as food to some species of freshwater fish. The plants also slow down the growth of algae inside the aquarium tank.These live real plants, however, need a bit more work to cultivate and maintain. This is because some of them have specific types of light, or a substrate, or a specific bottom layer type for rooting.Also, they sometimes grow too big and too quick. Owners have to do some regular trimming of these plants. Be aware that these can be difficult to and maintain. Waste breakdownIn plants, there are bacteria that help in waste breakdown. Chemical filtration and filtration in general is well managed by the plants and substrate inside of the tank. Real plants use up the nitrates that the fish expels which are harmful to the fish.One downside is that certain plants are possible carriers of harmful pests such as snails and other disease-causing parasites. Another downside is that whenever any plant dies and decays, the resulting waste debris is definitely harmful to the fish.Artificial Freshwater Aquarium PlantsBecause it is not edible, plastic plants deters your favorite fish from making a tasty meal out of your fake plants. This can be a grat set up if your fish is a plant eater or more accurately a live plant "snacker".Artificial plants manufacturers have become so exceptional in their expertise it is very hard to tell a real plant from an artificial one. In appearance and beauty, they can rival a real plant.They Cannot DieArtificial plants will never grow old (and die and decay and foul up the aquarium tank), will never grow too large for comfort, or would never become tattered and unattractive. In short, they do not lose their looks. Live plants can overgrow and become out of shape.Once they get dirty and covered with algal growth, artificial plants are simply removed temporarily and cleaned and become good as new again. They don't require lights, too.No Pests And ParasitesOne more advantage is that they are available all year round. Being new to an aquarium, they cannot bring in parasites or diseases that can be a possible problem from somewhere else. They may not contribute to the life system inside the aquarium but artificial plants are ideal for some species of fish that are prone to uproot live plants.A Toss-upFor the real fish lover, there is never a conflict as to what kind of plant is best for freshwater aquarium use. Both the artificial freshwater aquarium plant and the real freshwater plants have their own plus points.In terms of beauty, it is simply a tossup between the two considering how excellent these artificial plants look, especially the new models. Of course, there should not be a question about natural beauty from a natural living plant.It is another toss-up as to the various upsides and downsides of the real water plant and that of the artificial plant. On most cases, things balance themselves out for both.Is the artificial freshwater aquarium plant better than the real living freshwater plant? Most experienced fish keepers cannot agree. The straight answer is that what it all comes down to is a matter of choice.

An Artificial Freshwater Aquarium Plant That Everyone Wants

By: Bob Finklea

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