What the Beginning and Advancing Aquarist Absolutely Needs to Know and Do When Starting An Aquarium

What A Beginner Needs To Know About Aquatic Plants

In photosynthesis plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen during daylight, and do the opposite at night.  Therefore, an abundantly planted aquarium needs to be very well aerated so that it does not run out of oxygen at night for the fish and aquatic invertebrates.  This may require more aeration of the water than would be needed by an aquarium with no plant life.  Otherwise, aquatic plants are beneficial to fish keeping by providing more natural surroundings and protective hiding places.  Since algae (usually seen as a greenish surface scum on the glass and other surfaces, as well as free floating) are plant life, they also use up a lot of oxygen.  Extra aeration is needed when algae and/or leafy plants are abundant.