How to wash algae in an aquarium. All about artificial plants for the aquarium

Algae on stones and aquarium decor are quite frequent guests and very much spoil the appearance of the aquarium. Remove algae from your aquarium decor- not a problem, they are removed quite easily. It is much more difficult, more important and more laborious to correct those factors that contributed to the growth of algae in the aquarium, so that they do not reappear.

List of necessary things:

1. Toothbrush or sponge
2. Bucket or other container
3. Bleach (White)

Algae on the decorations in the aquarium

Cleaning stones and decor from algae

Place any decorative items that need to be cleaned in the bucket

Pour into the bucket hot water(you can even boil water) and leave your decor for 10 minutes. After that, you should clean the aquarium decorations with a toothbrush or soft sponge. If there are many holes in the decor, then it is much more convenient to use a toothbrush (just not from the personal hygiene kit =))

Leave the decorations in this solution for 15-20 minutes. Most of the algae will disappear, and the rest will turn white and fall off over time

And at the last stage of cleaning, the entire decor must be very thoroughly rinsed under running water.

Preventing algae in the aquarium

The aquarium should be illuminated for no more than 12 hours. Also, keep your aquarium out of direct sunlight.

Fluorescent lamps may need to be replaced. Choose a special aquarium lamp. Over time, the algae will disappear when the wavelength of the lamp changes.

Clean the filter regularly

Change 10 to 25 percent of your tank with water every week.

Perform water tests regularly in order to know the values ​​of nitrate, ammonia or other nutrients for algae. After that, you can take the appropriate action to solve the specific problem.

Artificial aquarium plants are used as an alternative to live plants. Such algae do not require painstaking care and are durable, and their appearance is almost indistinguishable from living specimens. This allows you to significantly save on the purchase of rare and expensive live plants, but at the same time have greens in your aquarium. For all its merits, artificial algae have certain characteristics, and their safety is partly overgrown with various myths.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before examining the pros and cons of artificial aquarium plants, we will find out why flora is needed in an aquarium at all and in what cases it can (or even need) be replaced with artificial greenery.

Why do you need plants in an aquarium

Living plants and algae in the closed water system of the aquarium perform 2 main functions:

1. Decorative and aesthetic: they fill the inner space of the aquarium, are used for aquascaping (aquarium design), with their help they create picturesque compositions and local underwater "gardens". It is thanks to the flora that the aquarium becomes a real design object in the interior and decorates it.
2. Regulatory: Plants create an ecosystem inside a closed water space, regulate the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the water, cleanse the water from the waste products of fish, and with a soil root system, they also prevent the formation of stagnant zones in the soil.

Did you know?The aquarium is a real miniature model of the ecosystem, and it is possible to trace the relationship between living organisms and their habitat. The ecosystem consists of abiotic components (temperature, light, etc.) and 3 groups of living organisms: producers (producers - algae and plants), consumers (consumers - fish) and reducers (destroyers - fungi and bacteria, snails and catfish, processing dead organic matter ). Each of the groups of organisms, in interrelation with others, participates in the cycle of substances, maintaining balance and making the very existence of the ecosystem possible.

Among other things, living plants are not the least important for many inhabitants of the aquarium. So, some fish use algae as food, and in another case, vegetation acts as a substrate for spawning - many fish prefer to lay eggs in dense thickets of aquatic plants.
On the one hand, live plants seem to be indispensable in an aquarium, but on the other hand, they are not necessary in every case. Partial performance of their functions can be transferred to additional aquarium equipment. And sometimes it happens that living flora is not only not a necessity, but also does more harm than good.

In such cases, artificial plants come to replace living plants. Today they are sold in every pet store, cost almost the same as the originals, and outwardly practically do not differ from living flora. Many people may not even always be able to determine that the vegetation in the aquarium is not real.

Important! Plastic algae can completely replace the entire living flora of the aquarium, but they do not function as producers in the ecosystem. Therefore, a person will have to take on such tasks as water purification, oxygenation, vegetable food for fish.

The benefits of artificial algae

The main advantages of artificial plants in an aquarium environment include:

Did you know? Plastic algae is made from polyamide. This material is used in medicine, for example, to create artificial blood vessels, and also make food containers from it for storing food. Therefore, it is considered completely safe and environmentally friendly.

disadvantages

However, in addition to a large number of advantages, artificial plants also have certain disadvantages:

Thus, artificial plants can be used in such cases:

• there is no desire to care for live plants, but there is the possibility of installing a powerful filter and aerator;
• in aquariums with unpretentious inhabitants, which are most often active and large fish;
• if you keep fish that like to dig the ground and eat plants;
• in quarantine aquariums.

Important!You can combine artificial and live flora in the aquarium. This will allow you to create any design you like while providing aquatic life with living plants with their useful functions.

How to check the quality of artificial algae dye

Since low-quality products can release paint into the water, which is dangerous for aquatic organisms, it is recommended to check them for color fastness before use, and, therefore, for the quality of the product itself. It is very simple to do this: it is enough to place artificial algae in the "Whiteness" solution.

"Whiteness" is a bleach based on sodium hypochlorite. In addition to bleaching, this substance also has disinfecting, antiseptic, and disinfecting properties. And it is great not only for checking the quality of aquarium decor, but also for disinfecting it.
It must be remembered that "Whiteness" destroys all living microflora - not only pathogenic, but also necessary, it can also destroy fish. Therefore, it should not be used in a stocked aquarium. However, sodium hypochlorite is very unstable and decomposes quickly, therefore, a day after use, any decorative elements, even without washing, become safe for aquatic inhabitants.

To check the color quality of the decor, you need to follow these steps:

1. Make a 10% solution. To do this, stir "Whiteness" in clean water in a 1: 9 ratio.
2. Calculate required volume solution so that the water completely covers all the decorative elements.
3. Place all plastic plants in the solution for 15 minutes. If the products are of poor quality, the paint will fade during this time. If the quality is good, then the color will remain the same.
4. After 15 minutes, if the appearance of the decorations remains the same, place them in a container with warm water for another 15 minutes.
5. After that, rinse the items thoroughly under clean running warm water.

If you rinse for half an hour, then you can be completely sure of the complete purification of algae from "Whiteness". In extreme cases, the treated items can be left in the air for at least a day, after which they will again become suitable for placing in the aquarium.

Important!Bleach is suitable not only for processing artificial plants, but also for disinfecting the aquarium tank itself, all internal appliances and any decor. However, if any elements have a porous structure, then it is necessary to clean them of sodium hypochlorite especially carefully, since the substance clogs into the pores, after which it can get into the water and poison the inhabitants.

DIY artificial plants for aquarium

Of course, you cannot create exact copies of real plants with your own hands, since this requires special equipment and materials. However, you can make an interesting hand-maid, which, although it will not bear a direct resemblance to living representatives of the flora, can look interesting in the aquarium space.

For example, you can make seaweed from green yarn. It swims beautifully in the water, looks fluffy, does not damage fish and is great for spawning, since the eggs are easily attached between the villi of the filaments.

To create artificial algae, you will need:

• a skein of quality green woolen yarn;
• a square piece of hard cardboard measuring 20 × 20;
• scissors;
• a small piece of foam as a float;
• medium size decorative rock as a weighting agent.

Do-it-yourself seaweed is ready. Now it only needs to be immersed in water. Since woolen yarn does not sink well, dip it in water and squeeze it, squeezing air bubbles out of the yarn structure. This will allow water to penetrate the yarn faster and sink into the water faster. If this is not done, the threads themselves will get wet for a long time.
This product can be used both in the spawning grounds and in a regular aquarium.

Aquarium design rules

In order for artificial plants to look organic in the aquarium, they must be placed taking into account some rules:

1. Equipment camouflage. Such items are well suited for concealing equipment that interferes with the natural look of the underwater landscape. To do this, you need to use tall and long specimens, placing them next to the devices so that thick leaves hide the technique from the eyes.
2. It is best to make the back wall of the aquarium neutral or dark, then the attention will not switch from the plant composition to the background. The color depends on what color the plants will be. If the composition is replete with different colors, then a light, neutral background will look more advantageous, and a dark one is suitable if the plants are predominantly monochromatic, for example, light green.


3. It is also best to choose a primer of a neutral shade - light gray or beige. Small pebbles or sand are fine. You can also use soft shells.
4. If the soil is poured in layers of decreasing posteriorly thickness, an impression of perspective can be achieved. A more impressive layer of soil is poured closest to the front wall, and to back wall the layer thickness can be reduced by 2–3 times.
5. Approximately in the middle of the container, in its central part, at the bottom, you can place spray stones (aeration stones) that emit air bubbles. These bubbles will bring life to the underwater world, draw attention to design elements and enrich the aquatic life with oxygen.
6. Medium-sized plants such as an Amazon are usually placed in the center of the aquarium.
   Ideally, the plant reaches about 1/3 of its height. This alga will be the basis of the composition, therefore, it is worth paying attention to the choice of plant, its size and color. The tallest plants are best placed at the back, close to the background.
7. To focus on the central plant of the composition, it is worth placing driftwood, stones, shells next to it. It is not recommended to use plastic products of a different type (for example, a sunken galleon), as they will destroy all the organic design. Around this area, you can "plant" small algae and small bushes, which will not block the visibility of the central part.


8. You can leave an empty space near the front wall or "plant" it with small specimens. It is important that they do not distract attention and make the rest of the aquarium space visible. Thicker thickets can be found near the sidewalls and in the background.
9. To make your aquarium design more interesting, do not use only one species, color and size of plants. But do not try to "shove" into the aquarium all the variety of plastic products that are contained in pet stores. It is best to opt for 3 types of plants, 2 of which will be similar in color, and the color of the third will be different. The size of each species can be different.


10. When placing plants, do not aim for geometric precision. Try to avoid straight lines, correct quantitative ratios, do not plant products in one row. There is always a slight negligence in nature.
11. You can also experiment with lighting. Artificial flora does not need bright light, moreover, under too bright and prolonged illumination, products will begin to fade faster. Therefore, you can limit yourself to only the light that is needed by the underwater inhabitant, and not all fish need daylight. In addition to brightness, you can also experiment with the color shade of lighting - blue, pink, greenish.

These are the basic tips for decorating your aquarium. For the rest, do not be afraid to show your imagination. After all, the advantage of artificial algae is that they can always be moved, forming new compositions.

How to clean artificial plants in an aquarium

The aquarium environment contains its own ecosystem, and over time, the artificial plants begin to become covered with small cell algae. Of course, the products do not deteriorate from this, but they lose their aesthetic appeal. Therefore, plastic copies must be cleaned periodically. Cleaning can be done in two ways.

To be a decoration for your home or office, your aquarium needs to shine clean. And the fish in such an aquarium are better, they are more active, get sick less and live longer. Keeping an artificial reservoir clean is not so difficult, but still there are some subtleties in this business that beginners should be aware of. Consider the basic issues of cleaning an aquarium at home.

Routine cleaning of the aquarium with replacement of part of the water is usually carried out once or twice a week, depending on its size, population density, and the presence of vegetation.

In each case, the question of the regularity of cleaning and water replacement should be decided on the basis of

• the well-being of fish,
• indicators of aquarium tests
• and of course, appearance aquarium.

If the walls are covered with a brownish-green coating, a cloud of mud rises from the bottom at the slightest movement of the fish, then it's time to clean up, even if everything is fine with the fish.

Conversely, in a crystal-clear aquarium, the concentration of nitrogen compounds can go off scale and, accordingly, fish suffer. And this is also a reason for urgent cleaning.

What does cleaning an aquarium include?

The cleaning algorithm is usually as follows:

• we clean the walls from algal bloom;
• if necessary, we clean the decorations: stones, grottoes;
• if there are plants in the aquarium, we carry out weeding and pruning;
• siphonym soil (this procedure is not always carried out);
• pour out part of the water from the aquarium - this can be done during the siphon or on purpose;
• if required, we wash the filtering equipment;
• pour clean water.

Before starting cleaning in the aquarium, it is imperative to turn off all electrical equipment, except for external filters.

And now about everything in more detail.

Wall cleaning

Even in the most prosperous aquarium, algal deposits form on the walls, which makes the glass cloudy and untidy. Therefore, the algae must be removed regularly. This can be done with:

• with a metal blade (it can be replaced with a stationery knife blade);
• magnetic scraper;
• household washcloths.

First option - long-handled scraper or, to a lesser extent, a utility knife - handy and good at removing algae and other contaminants, but not suitable for plexiglass aquariums, as it can leave scratches on their walls.

Magnetic scraper indispensable for deep tanks, as well as aquariums, access to which from above is limited, or plexiglass tanks. It does not scratch the walls (except for those cases when a grain of sand or a small fragment of soil gets between its parts) and makes it possible not to put your hands in the water. Minus - it is difficult for them to clean the corners of the aquarium and the lower edge of the glass near the ground.

The option with a household washcloth is the most economical, but not suitable for plexiglass and the least convenient, since you have to reach it with your hand everywhere.

The algal bloom removed with a scraper or washcloth should not be specially caught and removed - what the fish will not have time to eat, we will remove when the water is drained.

Magnetic scraper.

Scenery cleaning

If you don't like the dark film of algae on your decorations, you can clean them too. This is done with a washcloth or stiff brush inside the aquarium or outside if the decoration is removed. No detergents or cleaning agents are used for this.

In order to reduce algae on the walls and decorations, you can start, they will help in the fight for cleanliness.

And if the algae grow too quickly, they are brown in color or resemble brushes in shape, then the situation in the aquarium is not entirely safe, and measures must be taken to combat these representatives of lower plants.

Vegetation processing

The task of this treatment is to remove leaves damaged by fish and snails (as well as overgrown with algae), cut off or remove overgrown shoots by the roots. Plants should not block the light of each other and interfere with the fish.

When weeding out bushes with roots, you need to act carefully in order to raise less turbidity.

In aquariums with shrimp, especially with whimsical species, and in general in nano aquariums, pruning and weeding should be carried out as rarely as possible and as carefully as possible so that a minimum amount of silt and plant sap gets into the water.

Soil siphon and water drain

Having cleaned the walls of the aquarium and weeded out underwater plantations, we usually raise a lot of mud and dirt into the water. Now this dirty water needs to be drained. This is done using a hose or an aquarium siphon.

We drive the end of the hose or the tube of the siphon near the bottom, starting from the most polluted places, and drain the dirty water into a bucket or basin (it is better that they were white, then we will be able to notice in the water accidentally tightened shrimp or fish).

You can put the other end of the hose directly into the sewer hole, but this option is only possible for aquariums with large fish that will definitely not get into the siphon or hose.

At a time, usually from 15% to 50% of the water is changed, depending on the conditions of a particular aquarium. Matter

• filter power,
• population density,
• exactingness of animals for the purity of water,
• the presence of living plants or.

In order to find out how often and in what volume replacements should be made, it is best to use nitrate tests - the content of this substance in the aquarium should not exceed 20-30 mg / l for undemanding fish and 5-10 mg / l for fastidious and loving clean water. Such concentration must be achieved with the help of substitutions.

There is no need to completely replace the water! This will no longer be a cleaning, but a restart of the aquarium. Such a procedure is carried out only in the most extreme cases, for example, after an epidemic.

It is impossible to put fish in the aquarium immediately after the general cleaning. You will need to give the system a few weeks to mature, just like with a new aquarium.

If necessary, during routine cleaning, you can siphon the soil to remove excess organic contamination.

In aquariums with large fish and without live plants, it is recommended to do this at least weekly, but the more plants and the lower the density of the fish population, the less often the need for this procedure arises.

The soil in herbalists and shrimp, as a rule, does not siphon at all, so as not to damage the roots of plants, not to reduce the nutritional and biofiltration properties of the soil, and not to injure small animals.

Cleaning the filters

When cleaning the filter, it is important to remove mechanical impurities from it without damaging the colony of microorganisms that live in sponges or other porous fillers and participate in biofiltration.

Therefore, rinse the filter filling carefully, without undue enthusiasm, using only the water drained from the aquarium. Better, of course, to take relatively clean water without turbidity, and not the one that was drained when siphoning the soil.

Internal filters with sponges are washed once every one to two weeks, depending on the speed of their contamination (the fact that the filter is contaminated can be seen by the weakening of its jet). The sponges of the internal filters, which have several compartments for different fillers, and the prefilters of the external canisters are washed with approximately the same frequency.

Porous material for biofiltration (ceramic rings, balls, etc.) is washed much less often, once every two to three months, if necessary, carrying out a partial replacement of this filler.

The rotary filter head can be washed with plain water without detergents using a cotton swab.

Water filling

The aquarium is poured with water that has been settled for at least a day at the same temperature as the drained one. Fill in the water with a hose, ladle or watering can, depending on the size of the aquarium.

It is poured not on the ground, which can be washed out by a jet, but on a saucer or, for example, a grotto.

After that, they turn on the filter and the rest of the equipment, check its operation and the well-being of the fish. After a while, when a little cloudiness settles (and it occurs almost inevitably), your aquarium will shine clean.

Such a clean aquarium will delight not only you, but also the fish, which will feel comfortable. And this is the guarantee of their health, longevity and lively, interesting behavior.

Video: stages of cleaning an aquarium with examples.

Artificial plants in the aquarium, when skillfully placed, create a unique aesthetic appearance. However, like everything within this small world, they are susceptible to algae growth. To get rid of this, you need a lot of patience and knowledge below:

The appearance of algae in the aquarium indicates a deterioration in the biological balance. You need to think after what actions of yours they began to appear. If the cause is identified, simply going back to the original steps in maintaining the aquarium is enough.

In the best way Cleaning artificial plants has always been considered natural, as not causing any damage to the plants themselves or to the inhabitants of the aquarium. To do this, there is nothing better than to have herbivorous fish such as mollies, swordtails, guppies and platies in your little world. It is also a good idea to buy Otocinclus catfish, but keep in mind that they are good when young and have no other food source than algae.

Aquarium snails can be of great help in cleaning up artificial algae. To do this, you need to choose sufficiently voracious small breeds. For example, the popular Ampularia, when they reach medium size, switch exclusively to fish food that has fallen on the ground. The only condition is that the number of snails in the population must be constantly monitored, since they, with the presence of food and suitable conditions, begin to multiply very quickly.

As a rule, artificial algae for an aquarium has a complex structure, with hard-to-reach places for snails and fish. Over time, they can acquire a completely not aesthetic appearance - bright, cleaned out by fish and snails, leaves and dark areas in the cracks of their attachment to the trunk. In this case, there is nothing better than to attract help. household chemicals... To do this, you need to purchase a chlorine-containing bleach of the "Whiteness" type and dilute it in a non-food container at a ratio of 1 part of bleach to 10 parts of water; in especially severe cases, a ratio of 1 part of the product to 3 parts of water is acceptable. After everything is ready, you need to remove all artificial plants contaminated with algae from the aquarium and place for a while in the resulting solution.

1 hour is enough. Then you need to rinse the artificial plants in the same solution with a brush or, in extreme cases, a hard sponge, until the algae disappear completely from them. It should be emphasized that all work with bleach should be done only with rubber gloves. After rinsing in a bleach solution, the plants must be thoroughly rinsed under running water under a tap. After that, it is necessary to dry them within 24 hours, so that all substances harmful to fish are guaranteed to disappear from them. Then return them to their original places in the aquarium. After completing the measures described above, your aquarium will regain its beautiful and unique look.

Washing and cleaning a new - purchased aquarium

Routine cleaning and washing of the aquarium

Washing and cleaning the aquarium in emergencies - after illness and treatment of fish

Weekly washing and cleaning of the aquarium

When cleaning the aquarium weekly, the following procedure should be strictly followed:

1. Received equipment: filter, aeration, thermostat. Everything is washed, put aside.

2. If necessary, care and shearing of plants is carried out.

3. The walls of the aquarium are cleaned. With a sponge or special scraper wipers.

4. If necessary, siphon the soil. There is no need to clean the soil weekly, especially if there are live plants in the aquarium.

5. Only after that the water is changed: the old water is drained and freshly settled water is added.

6. The cleaned equipment is installed back.

Remember to wipe down the inside of the aquarium cover and lamps at least once a month.

After all the manipulations, the aquarium is wiped with a dry cloth, stains can be removed with a window cleaner.

Observing the above simple rules, the process of washing the aquarium will not be difficult and tedious, and the result will be as effective as possible.

Useful video on how to clean and wash an aquarium

How to clean an aquarium :: a large or small aquarium is easier to clean :: Household :: Other

The muddy water and the walls of the aquarium, covered with greenish slime, are a very unsightly sight that has a negative effect on the fish living in it. The water must be constantly clean, for this you must learn how to clean the aquarium correctly and in a timely manner.

The question "How can you breed geese correctly?" - 1 answer

You will need

• - scraper or sponge;
• - scissors;
• - a hose with a funnel;
• - bucket.

Instructions

1. Start cleaning the aquarium by cleaning the glass. This manipulation can be done with a special scraper, sponge, nylon washcloth or a simple razor blade. An excellent effect is obtained by cleaning the walls of the aquarium with a glass cloth kitchen sponge (in no case use a sponge that was intended for other purposes). It is advisable to turn off all electrical appliances in the aquarium. If the vessel consists of plexiglass, then it is better to use a nylon washcloth or sponge for cleaning, harder materials will leave scratches.

2. When the glasses are cleaned, remove any yellowed or rotten leaves on the plants with scissors. Plants are transplanted as needed. Plants that form a bush should not be touched for four to six months after planting. When carrying out these manipulations, turbidity forms in the water, wait ten minutes for it to completely settle to the bottom. Carefully remove suspended organic particles from plant leaves with your fingers.

3. Now you can safely start cleaning the soil, for this use a hose with a funnel at the end. By the way, on sale there is a large number of special devices used for these purposes. If you save money, you can create it yourself at home. You will need a flexible hose, put a watering can on the end of it. Lower the end of the hose with a watering can to the bottom, press it to the ground and suck in water through the other end (as some drivers do to drain gasoline), direct the stream of water into a prepared bucket. Dirty water will rush there with current. Rearrange the funnel around the plants, removing excess organic matter, drain some of the water.

4. During the cleaning procedure, monitor the volume of drained water, it should not exceed a fifth of the total volume of the aquarium. Make a mark on the side of the aquarium. Then add fresh water, which is recommended to be defended in advance (the experience of the aquarists' club shows that you can pour water directly from the tap). With a partial replacement of water, the concentration of substances that are not processed by plants and do not decompose decreases. It should also be noted that the fish must receive trace elements dissolved in water for normal development, in natural reservoirs they are washed out of soil rocks, and can only get into the aquarium with fresh water.

5. Cleaning the aquarium with a partial water change should be done regularly - about once a week. If the volume of the aquarium exceeds two hundred liters, then once every two weeks. Small aquariums with twenty to thirty liters of water will need to be cleaned twice a week.

It is almost impossible to create an ideal environment in a home artificial pond in which the aquarium does not have to be washed and cleaned at all. Of course, snails and some other inhabitants partially cope with the resulting pollution, but a moment comes when you cannot do without the help of the owner. And here it is important to determine the optimal frequency of cleaning the water house.

Instructions

1. The cleanliness of the aquarium largely depends on its volume, because if your reservoir is less than 60 liters, then you will have to clean it quite often. At the initial stage, the cause of heavy contamination may be the lack of normal microflora in the aquarium, this indicates an incorrect start. In this case, you can use special drugs, allowing you to quickly populate beneficial bacteria into your home pond. If your aquarium is small, then you need to clean it as needed, it all depends on the specific conditions and the well-being of aquatic inhabitants. Very small aquariums of 10-15 liters are usually cleaned once a week.

2. Cleaning the aquarium involves bleaching the decorations, washing the artificial plants and, of course, removing plaque from the walls. As for the water, regardless of the timing of the general cleaning, it must be partially replaced about once every one to two weeks. If you feel like you need to clean your aquarium too often, try cutting back on food. It is possible that the aquarium filter cannot cope with the number of inhabitants and the volume of water, in this case it is worth replacing it or installing an additional one.

3. Keep in mind that the more inhabitants there are in the volume of your aquarium, the more often it has to be cleaned, therefore it is not recommended to densely populate your home reservoir. Plus, you run the risk of losing your pets. Not all types of aquarium fish are able to adapt to frequent water changes and cleaning of the aquarium. Remember that with the right microflora, no more than one third of the total volume of water is usually replaced per month.

4. In general, if the volume of the aquarium is more than 100 liters, then it is rarely necessary to clean it. If a large aquarium is equipped with all the necessary equipment, then it needs a general cleaning no more than once a month. Usually this procedure is limited to removing plaque from the walls using a special magnetic sponge. Sometimes, during partial water changes, aquarists remove dirt from the bottom using a small hose with a pear at the end, but often filters and the aquatic inhabitants themselves can cope with this problem.

5. If you often have to clean a large aquarium, then this indicates errors in its maintenance. Today there are special services and consultants for aquarium-related issues. By contacting a specialist, you can find out the causes of contamination. Remember that the state of your fish and plants directly depends on the state of the microflora in the aquarium.

note

Remember that changing the water too often is stressful for fish and plants, and if you have to completely change it, then there can be no question of stabilizing the microflora in the aquarium.

If you notice a brown, fleecy bloom on the walls and plants, then this indicates an invasion of brown algae, it is almost useless to clean the aquarium, it is necessary to fight the cause of the problem.

How to remove black plaque from aquarium plants

Black beard

Black plaque on plants can appear as a result of infection with the so-called "black beard". It is a dark brown algae that covers plant leaves, soil, glass and decorations. Thin threads of a dark shade on plants does not look aesthetically pleasing. A black beard can damage the plant, causing it to wither quickly.

The algae spreads rapidly, and it is difficult to fight it. Some chemical agents and lowering the brightness of the lighting may be partial, but will not address the root of the problem. To destroy the beard, you need to include comprehensive measures. The first thing to do is to renew the water regularly, from 10 to 25% of the total volume of the aquarium. The water should be free of nitrates and phosphates; before pouring into the aquarium, take measurements with indicators.

The second procedure, which will help to eliminate black plaque in the aquarium, is cleaning the soil from food residues, removing dead plant leaves. Next, you should increase the lighting power to 1 W per liter of water, turn on the light for 12 hours. Some types of snails and fish will provide additional help, which can clear the aquarium of algae and their waste products.

It is important to control the proportions of the food: if you give the fish more food, then the residues that have not been eaten will dissolve, the level of ammonia in the water will increase. You can plant fast-growing plant species in the ground that are excellent at absorbing nutrients. The first sign that the algae is dying off is a change in its color to faded. Over time, the affected beard will fall off.

A universal remedy for aquarium black beard is on sale - this is JBL Algol. It will destroy the fouling that has formed on surfaces in a matter of days. The drug should be introduced into the reservoir according to the instructions.

Additional methods of struggle

It is generally accepted that it is impossible to completely remove from the aquarium dark bloom in the form of a black beard, but there are a number of additional measures that will help reduce its growth. The main thing is to settle not very many fish in a cramped tank. To suppress the beard, you can use a CO2 (carbon dioxide) supply. In order to avoid infection with this pest, when buying a plant, carefully inspect its stems and leaves. The slightest flutter of the hairs and tassels of a black beard when moving or immersed in water signals that the plant cannot be bought.

If conservative methods of dealing with black plaque do not help, then serious measures must be taken:

1. Transfer the fish to another pre-prepared aquarium.
2. Remove all plants along with the soil.
3. Rinse the soil thoroughly under water, then boil it or bake it in the oven at a temperature of 300 degrees Celsius.
4. The aquarium walls need to be washed and wiped with cotton wool dipped in a solution of potassium permanganate, then rinse the glass several times.
5. Restart the aquarium by examining all the plants. The affected areas of the plant can be removed. Or take their uninfected shoots, replant them in a separate container and grow them.
6. Better to plant new and healthy plants in a newly launched aquarium.

Check out how to get rid of a black beard.

There are so-called "biological" ways to combat harmful algae.

Aquarium plants everything for beginners with photos and videos

The benefits of aquarium plants

Caring for aquarium plants

How many plants do you need in an aquarium?

It is not possible to overdo it in this matter. I do not think that someone will plant an aquarium with plants "I can’t do it”. However, there is a certain qualification for the number of plants in the aquarium. They need to be seated so that 2/3 of the free space for fish and other inhabitants remains. In addition, you need to proceed from the number of fish. The more there are, the more plants you can plant. Or in other words, the more CO2 is produced, the more plants can be planted and the more oxygen will be from them.

Types and list of aquarium plants for beginners

Unpretentious aquarium plants

In fact, such unpretentious plants a lot and in fact you can make an endless list, because if you give any plant a minimum of care, then it will survive in any aquarium.
However, the following aquarium plants can be recommended for beginners:

Duckweed

I have already spoken about her. Will be a great addition to your aquarium. She is loved by all aquarium inhabitants, she creates a very beautiful view... Its only drawback, like all floating plants, is that it very quickly covers the water cover, preventing light from entering the aquarium. It needs to be thinned out more often, and especially before vacation, leaving only a few leaves on the surface.
Vallisneria


Essentially not a whimsical, fast-growing, inexpensive plant.
Elodea


Plain and classic, thin, fast growing upwards.
Hornwort

A spruce-like plant. It is growing rapidly. The huge number of small leaves is an excellent protection for all small inhabitants of the aquarium.
Limnobium


A floating plant similar to the leaves of small lake lilies. Takes long roots. It grows very quickly. Limnobium, and especially its roots, love to eat fish and shrimp.
Riccia


A wonderful fast growing, floating, vibrant plant. Gaining weight with growth, it can sink to the bottom and cover entire open spaces. It can be tied with a fishing line to a snag, to a pebble, creating a wonderful green island. In addition, she is very fond of, there are aquarium inhabitants.
Javanese moss


Highly beautiful plant... Truth grows not very fast and more demanding on light. It can easily wrap a snag or something else.
Diseases of aquarium plants
Plants, like fish, can get sick. Like all living plants, they die due to improper or poor maintenance. But I assure you that if you follow the above recommendations, your aquarium plants will never get sick.
Without breeding demagoguery. Here are the signs, causes, and treatments for aquarium plants.
PLANT LOOKS CUTZO: the leaves are stunted, thin, the plant stretches up, pale, sheds young leaves! These are all sure signs of a lack of lighting.
TREATMENT:
- increase daylight hours for plants;
- if there are a lot of plants, thin them out so that some do not interfere with each other;
- lower the water temperature. The higher the temperature of the aquarium water, the more light the plants need.
PLANT LEAVES ARE COVERED WITH HOLES: the edges are uneven, the curling of the plant, the pale poppy look, etc. These are signs of a lack of feeding and fertilization.
TREATMENT:
- application of fertilizers under the roots of plants (the aforementioned tablets).
- make sure that the soil does not crush or deform the plant roots.
LEAVES FALL PREMATURE: yellowing of the edges of the leaves, slow growth. These are signs of a lack of CO2 - carbon dioxide.
TREATMENT:
- lower the temperature. At low temperatures the CO2 content in the aquarium increases.
- get more fish.
- as an option, turn off the aeration at night, but this will not very well affect the fish.
- build a CO2 plant with your own hands.

And finally, a few words about artificial aquarium plants. Since they are sold, since I buy them, it means that they have a place to be in our reservoirs. There is no hassle with them at all - you buried a plastic bush and admire it! The benefits of such plants are zero, moreover, harmful algae grow well on them. And over time, the plastic disintegrates and becomes brittle! They cost more than living plants. Nevertheless, such plastic aquarium plants, as a decorative element, look very much even in a pond.

Video - webinar "All the secrets of growing aquarium plants"
Video starts at 54:43 minutes and further,

useful video about keeping aquarium plants

Plants are the lungs of the aquarium

During the life of plants in an aquarium, under the influence of light, the well-known photosynthesis is carried out. As a result, plants consume carbon dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen. This way, your aquarium will never have excessively accumulated CO2, which is emitted by fish and other inhabitants of the aquarium, and the aquarium water will naturally be saturated with oxygen.
Some experienced aquarists, with the help of plants, achieve such a biological balance in the aquarium that they do not need to mechanically aerate and filter the water. Just imagine - the aquarium does not buzz, electricity is not consumed - beauty !!! True, in order to accomplish this, you need to gain a lot of experience and know the aquarium thoroughly.

Plants are a well-established biosystem of the aquarium, the absence of harmful substances in the water, the absence of algae

Plants are a sensor for the health of your aquarium

Everything is simple here! Aquarium plants are the primary indicator of the health of your aquarium. If the plants "wither", turn yellow and rot, this is a sure sign of a poor aquarium state, and vice versa, lush, beautiful streamers are a 100% indicator of the excellent state of the aquarium world.