Aquarium fern: species, selection, maintenance and breeding

Aquariums are in great demand in the design of residential, public and office premises. In addition to marine fauna, a variety of plants can be present in them. Among them, it is worth highlighting ferns, notable for their species diversity.

The stereotype that the aquarium is intended only for keeping fish has long outlived itself, therefore, in addition to marine life, various plants are actively grown in them - with or without aquatic pets. Among them stand out rather unpretentious and aesthetically attractive ferns, represented in a wide variety of species.

A feature of these crops is their attitude to spore plants that develop well in almost any climate, as well as in closed reservoirs. Aquarium fern will be able to grow in conditions close to natural, using various driftwood, to which the culture is easily attached. And he also feels great just in the water. Water species of fern consist of roots, stems and leaves and for the most part are similar to each other.

Such plants in tanks with aquatic inhabitants serve not only for decoration, but also for creating comfortable conditions thanks to which fish, snails or other “owners” of the aquarium feel safe.

Plants also act as an additional source of oxygen, and for some inhabitants as a source of food. In addition, cultures of this species act as a natural liquid purifier from harmful components that adversely affect marine inhabitants. But these universal, useful and attractive cultures are not suitable for joint keeping with all fish.

As a result of such actions, the underground part of the plant is damaged, and more often it simply digs out of the ground.

Most ferns for aquariums are plants that are many millions of years old, but there are options that have been bred by breeders recently.

Today, the species diversity of cultures is striking in its quantity. Among the aquariums, the following options are more popular.

An unpretentious plant in terms of care and maintenance, belonging to the water group and decorated with lanceolate foliage. Due to the large size of the leaves, which can reach 20 centimeters, the culture in the tank looks quite voluminous and spectacular.

As the only culture in the aquarium, it is used extremely rarely. As a rule, green hedges are made from ferns of this species.

The culture has some visual similarities with the previous representative of spore plants, it is used to decorate small tanks, as well as large-capacity containers. It is this option that is most in demand among aquarists.

This plant will also grow in height to 15-20 centimeters. Leaves develop at an angle. The plant can be used as a group composition or as an independent culture.

The second name of the culture is ceratopteris (horn-shaped fern). Tropical culture, which is found in all latitudes with a warm subtropical climate, in addition, it develops well in closed conditions, therefore it is very often present in aquariums.

Very often, cultures are placed together or close to snags. Plants are photophilous, the root system is very small, the culture can grow up to 50 centimeters.

In everyday life there is a second name for the plant - water cabbage. In the natural environment, such a fern is usually located on the surface of the water, however, in closed tanks, this species can be successfully grown in the ground. The culture can grow to a 30-centimeter mark. She has rather large foliage, along the edges there are cuts, the root system is branched.

African fern, which develops extremely slowly, but can grow up to 50–70 centimeters. The foliage is dense, in shape the leaves are similar to oak, the root system is thick. Such a culture stands out for its high cost, however, among aquarists is very popular in the light of decorative appeal.

Fern belongs to the photophilous varieties and is notable for its ability to easily root on driftwood or stone. The aquarium can be located almost completely in water.

The type of fern, which is not distinguished by its regular forms, has foliage with rounded edges of dark green color.In the natural environment, the plant can be found in America, China or in Africa.

This view applies to floating options for ornamental plants for the aquarium, since it is able to independently rise from the bottom with an increase in the amount of liquid or with the help of the flow. Most often, such a culture is planted in small tanks.

Another representative of floating fern crops. There is some similarity to moss. Culture is not distinguished by its large size, in the wild it is found in marshy areas, as well as in slow-flowing water bodies. The root system of the fern will be completely in the water, while the upper part can be freely located on its surface. Leaves resemble small scales.

To make a beautiful and correct composition of ferns in an aquarium, The following guidelines should be followed.

• It is more correct to select crops of one variety so that the vegetation stands out by its quantity, and not by variety variety. This is due to various cultural requirements for content, as well as features regarding compatibility with marine life.
• If you plan to place a composition of tropical crops, then the varieties should be selected taking into account their needs for additional feeding, the conditions of illumination of the tank, as well as the temperature of the water.
• For placement in the foreground, it is recommended to opt for crops that will not grow too much, obscuring the view. It is best that their height does not exceed 15 centimeters.
• For the central plan, it is best to consider spore cultures that will have a high stem. Among these options, there are bush type plants and stand-alone plants, which are worth paying attention to when buying. The first option over time and as it grows, will need space, in addition, it can become an obstacle to access to the lighting tank, which does not always positively affect the health of its inhabitants.
• Background plants can be large, with massive stem and foliage. However, they are best rooted in the side windows. Experienced aquarists recommend keeping at least one such plant in their aquarium, since such crops are considered excellent suppliers of oxygen. In addition, they collect nitrates well.

Rooting a fern will not cause much trouble even for a beginner. For planting, it is worth choosing the preferred accommodation option based on the features of a particular species. However, most of the crops can be safely planted in a special substrate or placed in sandy soil, near stones, on driftwood in the aquarium.

The presence of soil will help the young plant gain a foothold on the surface, as well as adapt to a new habitat. Since ferns are plants that propagate vegetatively, sometimes the plant can root itself using separate daughter leaves.

As a rule, such parts will float on the surface until the root system appears, after which the culture will independently sink to the bottom and become fixed in the ground.

To plant a plant on a stone or driftwood in an aquarium, you can use fishing line or kapron threadby which a small plant will need to be fixed. Use is also permitted. medical super glue.

In order for the fern to grow and develop in the aquarium, he needs to ensure the right conditions in a closed environment.

• As for the liquid, soft water with a slightly acidic or neutral composition will be suitable for the culture. Rigidity should be maintained at 6 dGH, with acidity at 5-6 pH.
• It is also important to maintain a constant water temperature.The best indicators for ferns will be values ​​in the range from 20 to 24 degrees.
• Substitution of a part of the liquid in the aquarium is a mandatory requirement not only for marine life, but also for plants. For tropical crops, you will need to change at least a third of the liquid of the total volume 1 time per week.
• Despite the fact that the plants themselves act as a natural filter, additional water purification will not hinder them. That is why it is recommended for the aquarist to place a filter in the tank, as well as monitor the appropriate aeration of the liquid.
• A significant part of ferns belongs to photophilous crops; the presence of good lighting allows them to develop and grow in size correctly. Daylight hours for them should last at least 12 hours, even in winter. For these purposes fluorescent lamps are usually used.
• Cultures have a positive attitude to the introduction of additional fertilizers. In order for the plants to grow actively, fern urea can be added to the water. For 100 liters of water, it will be enough to use 1 or 2 feed pellets per week.

A vegetative method of obtaining new plants, as well as reproduction using spores, are two options for obtaining a new culture. To increase the number of plants in the aquarium, you can separate the parts from them, choosing the strongest and most developed culture. However, the new fern must contain a small portion of the rhizome in order to develop further. Green mass on crops forms rather quickly.

Fertilization will occur in the fluid in the cultures, as a result of which new plants will soon appear in the tank.

Most often, aquarium crops suffer from inadequate water and soil conditions, which is fraught with the absence of macro- and microelements important for growth. Signs of illness:

• leaves turn black;
• green mass decreases in size;
• fern grows very slowly;
• the appearance of yellow veins.

To restore the balance of the necessary trace elements, it will be necessary to adjust the acidity of the liquid, and also use additional fertilizing for aquarium plants.

See below for aquarium fern.