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Aquatic plants: general advice, fertilisation, CO2, plants various, plants specific.
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Aquatic plants
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Diaphus (Lamprossa) splendidus
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General advice Technical Fertiliser/CO2/Substrates
Plants various Plants specific SEARCH AQUARTICLES

 

General advice
ALGAE: DESCRIPTION AND CONTROL IN FRESHWATER AQUARIA by Andrea Watts
Summary: A list and description of common algae types found in home aquaria; suggestions for elimination and control provided. Some useful photos for identification are included.
SO YOU WANT TO GROW AQUATIC PLANTS by Olga Betts
Summary: Olga describes how to keep some easy aquatic plants.
KEEPING AQUARIUM PLANTS... by Al Ridley
Summary: The advantages of keeping live plants. Potting them. Lighting.
SO YOU WANT TO GROW PLANTS IN YOUR AQUARIUM! 
Summary: Rajendra Kumar G.G. contributed this beginner's guide to growing aquatic plants, dealing with lighting, nutrients, CO2 (including simple home-made injector), substrates, and other tips.
SETTING UP A PLANTED AQUARIUM by Karen Randall
Summary: A comprehensive article. The tank and equipment; tank set up; selection and planting of plants; selecting and adding fish. Karen edits the magazine of The Aquatic Gardeners Association.
SETTING UP YOUR FIRST PLANTED TANK by Curt Dunaway
Summary: The beginner's planted tank need not be highly technical. A list of low light plants.
AQUARIUM BEAUTIFUL by Dorothy Reimer
Summary: Plants add to the beauty of an aquarium and are beneficial to the fish. Conditions plants require. How to plant them.
NEW TO PLANTED TANK? by Marcus Ng
Summary: Requirements for a successful planted tank: lights, CO2, tank and filter,substrate, cooling systems, fertilisation and the nitrogen cycle.
AQUARIUMS FOR THE OFFICE by Robert Paul Hudson
Summary: When setting up an aquarium in an office one must consider the time factor and the possibility of accidents. Robert recommends some small plants for small tanks.
THE OPEN AQUARIUM by Claus Christensen
Summary: An aquarium without a cover glass will allow emergent plants to thrive, and other plants are best viewed from above. Questions concerning room humidity, lighting, suitable plants, and jumping fish are discussed.

            See also: People/Meet an Aquarist: Olga Betts, by Howard Norfolk
                         People/Meet an Aquarist: Raj Kumar and Madan Subramanian

Technical
new OVERDRIVING A STANDARD LIGHT STRIP by Giancarlo Podio
Summary:  If you are comfortable with basic electrical work, you can re-wire a standard flourescent light strip to boost output.  
CHOOSING YOUR AQUARIUM LIGHTING by Robert Paul Hudson
Summary: A variety of systems can be used to provide adequate lighting for plants. But too much light and too little CO2 can cause algae blooms and large pH swings. Light and CO2 must be balanced.
new ELIMINATING ALGAE WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE by Giancarlo Podio
Summary: If a simple DIY CO2 system does not meet your needs, follow Giancarlo's outline to set up a more advanced pressurized system. Thoroughly researched with many useful links and photos.
PLANT FILTERS FOR HOME AQUARIA by Doug Dunlop
Summary: Terrestrial plants grown hydroponically near an aquarium can be an inexpensive supplement to (or replacement for) a mechanical filter, and are particularly useful with fish that are incompatible with aquatic plants.
Fertilisation / C02 / Substrates
new FERTILIZER COMPARISON CHART by Giancarlo Podio
Summary: A chart comparing the chemical compositions of fertilizers offered by Tropica, Seachem, Kent, and CSM.
new CO2 KH/PH CHART by Giancarlo Podio
Summary: A chart that helps one determine how much CO2 they have in an aquarium by analyzing KH and PH levels.
new DO-IT-YOURSELF CO2 by Giancarlo Podio
Summary: A cheap and easily used technique is explained for setting up your own Carbon Dioxide injection system for planted tanks.
new SETTING UP AN ADVANCED PRESSURIZED CO2 SYSTEM by Giancarlo Podio
Summary: If a simple DIY CO2 system does not meet your needs, follow Giancarlo's outline to set up a more advanced pressurized system. Thoroughly researched with many useful links and photos.
THE ROLE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN THE AQUARIUM by Robert Paul Hudson
Summary: A technical description of photosynthesis, and an explanation of why aquarists add light and CO2 to grow plants better.
HOME BREW by Grant Gussie
Summary: How to set up a do-it-yourself C02 system
INEXPENSIVE SUPPLEMENTAL CARBON DIOXIDE by Karen Randall
Summary: More thoughts on the plastic bottle method.
AQUARIUM PLANT NUTRITION by Robert Fenner
Summary: The nutrients plants need. Factors influencing and providing nutrients. Adding nutrients. Natural vs. high-tech approach.
SUBSTRATES FOR THE HOME AQUARIUM by Rajendra Kumar G.G.
Summary: Substrate colour, particle size, material, and depth, plus instructions on using hydrochloric acid to prepare sea sand for use in fresh water aquariums.
SUBSTRATE AND FERTILIZATION INTRODUCTION by Robert Paul Hudson
Summary: A somewhat technical introduction to the concept of macro and micro nutrients, followed by information on the qualities of different substrates - soil, sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, sand, calcimined clays, and pumice.
LATERITE SUBSTRATE by Robert Paul Hudson
Summary: Laterite is a type of soil. It is primarily beneficial for deep-rooted plants and heavy feeders, such as Echinodorus and Cryptocoryne species.
PRACTICAL USE OF GARDEN SOIL AS A RICH PLANT SUBSTRATE
by Nimish Mathur
Summary: Nimish provides detailed instructions for the preparation and use of an inexpensive and easy-to-prepare substrate for growing aquatic plants.
Plants various
AQUATIC HANGING GARDENS by Wlad Franco-Valias
Summary: Plants such as Java Fern, Java Moss and Anubias can be attached to a variety of woods.
TERRESTRIAL PLANTS SOLD AS AQUATICS by Wlad Franco-Valias
Summary: Some plants sold for aquariums are really terrestrial. How can you tell?
To read this article in Spanish, go to: Plantas Terrestres Vendidas como Plantas Aquaticas
PLANTS UNSUITABLE FOR USE IN AQUARIA by Frank M. Greco
Summary: "Basic Rule of Thumb: If it looks like a houseplant it probably is and has no place in your aquarium." Frank provides a long list of actual names of plants that are sometimes sold as aquatics but really are not.
AQUATIC FLOWERS by Wlad Franco-Valias
Summary: Wlad discusses which aquatic plants will flower, and how to help them do so.
RECEIVING MAIL-ORDER AQUARIUM PLANTS by Robert Paul Hudson
Summary: How to deal with plants that arrive in the mail - unpacking, trimming, planting. Disinfecting. These tips also apply to plants bought from a store.
A PLASTIC PLANT PRIMER by Jerry Michels
Summary: Questions everyone asks about plastic plants - Do they grow? Do they reproduce? Their lighting? Can they be killed? A unique tongue-in-cheek article that even contains some practical ideas.

            See also: Ponds/Landscaping Around Your Pond by Robert Fenner
                                (Contains a comprehensive list of garden plants that are toxic to fish)

Plants specific
Acoras gramineus, form variegatus  by Ron Finlayson
Summary: Commonly called Japanese Rush, this plant is sometimes sold for aquarium use, but it is really a true bog plant and should not be planted completely immersed.
FERNS AND ANUBIAS by Robert Paul Hudson
Summary: Java Fern, Watersprite, African Fern (Bolbitis) and Anubias are easy to grow. They make a nice display in small tanks, and are suitable for beginners.
Aponogeton crispus AND ITS PROPAGATION by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters, and by Shara-Lee Schneider
Summary: Two separate articles. Twyla describes the Aponogeton and its propagation, and Shara-Lee adds her personal experience in raising them from seed.
Ceratopteris thalictroides - WATERSPRITE by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: Also known as "water fern" or "Indian fern," this common plant is easy to keep, fast growing, and easily propagated. It can be utilised in a number of ways.
INTRODUCTION TO THE Cryptocoryne GENUS  by Xema
Summary: Introduction; crypts in the wild; crypts in aquaria.  Illustrated.
Cryptocoryne blassi  by Ron Finlayson
Summary: After keeping this crypt for several years, Ron re-potted and re-positioned it, which made it grow rapidly and reproduce.
ANATOMY OF A CRYPT by Curt Dunaway
Summary: To be absolutely sure of the identity of a Crypt, you need a flower. One of Curt's Crypts flowered and he cut open the spathe. Illustrated.
Echinodorus bleheri and E. Amazonicus - AMAZON SWORD PLANTS
by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: Amazon swords are easy to grow and have many fine qualities which make them ideal focal point plants for aquariums.
STARGRASS, Heteranthera zosterifolia  by Mary McCaw
Summary:A detailed article about the care of this plant.
Cardamine lyrata vs Hydrocotyle leucocephala by Ron Finlayson
Summary: Observations on keeping these lookalike but quite different plants, commonly called Pennywort (or Brazilian Ivy) and Japanese Cress.
WATER WISTERIA by Bill Gehan
Summary: Hygrophila difformis is an easy plant to keep and propagate, and is a good one for beginners to use to take advantage of the many good things plants do for aquariums.
Hygrophila polysperma  by Shara-Lee Schneider
Summary: This beautiful fast growing plant is easy to keep and is ideal for beginners.
LITTLE STAR, AQUA STAR - THE MAGNIFICENT ONE. Pogostemon helferi
by Nid aka Tarepunda
Summary: Nid had troubles when she started with aquatic plants two years ago, but knowledge brought success, and one of her favourite plants is known in Thailand as the Downoi, or "Little Star."
Ranunculus limosella FROM NEW ZEALAND by Ole Pedersen
Summary: Tropica Aquatic Plants, of Denmark, first received this plant as a weed in a shipment from New Zealand. It was found to be a useful foreground cover plant.
Riccia fluitans (CRYSTALWORT) by Lynn McMullen
Summary: This floating plant can be anchored to wood or rock to form a beautiful "lawn." It can also be used as a hiding place for tiny fish fry.
DECORATING WITH RICCIA by Robert Paul Hudson
Summary: "Riccia is the paint, the aquarium the canvas, and you are the artist!" How to attach Riccia fluitans underwater. Where to put it and how to use it. Beautifully illustrated.
CARPET PLANTS by Robert Paul Hudson
Summary: Intriguing carpet-like displays can be made using Riccia, Java Moss, Willow Moss, Glossostigma or microsword plants.
Rotala macrandra by Lynn McMullen
Summary: "The rich red colour of the leaves with the underlying bright emerald green almost seems to make this plant glow with vibrancy. It can be a real showpiece with a little effort and care. If you can find it."
Vesicularia dubayana - JAVA MOSS by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: Java moss is undemanding, and has useful qualities as a spawning substrate. In nature it grows above water and is therefore ideal for a paladarium.
MOSSES AND THE MEN WHO LOVE THEM by Loh Kwek Leong
Summary: Identification of aquarium mosses is, surprisingly, not as straightforward as most people believe. They can reproduce themselves sexually by means of capsules. In Singapore, Java mosses do not appear to produce capsules. Why? - or do they? Illustrated.
HOW TO MAKE A MOSS WALL by Loh Kwek Leong
Summary: A series of  photographs that clearly illustrate how to make a moss wall aquarium backdrop.
Scroll directly up to:
General advice Technical Fertiliser/CO2/Substrates
Plants various Plants specific SEARCH AQUARTICLES
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