Do live plants increase oxygen for fish?
Oxygen forms an integral part of the environment in a waterbody as it is used by fish and other aquatic life. Fish can be affected by hypoxia or low levels of oxygen in water, either in their natural or artificial habitat. Different aquarists have different opinions about oxygen levels in a fish tank. Most aquarists I speak to say they run a filter to provide oxygen. But do live plants help to increase the oxygen level for the fish?
How Do Fish Obtain Oxygen?
Fish extract oxygen from the water through their gills. Water moves over gill membranes from which oxygen is adsorbed and carbon dioxide is given off. The amount of dissolved oxygen present in the water changes with temperature pressure and presence of organic material. Inside an aquarium, oxygen levels must be sufficient enough to prevent stressing out your fish and keep them healthy.
The Importance of Live Aquatic Plants
Live aquatic plants can do wonders for an aquarium. You get a great look at beautiful nature; they are good for the planet. Aquatic plants are important for photosynthesis, through which organisms use carbon dioxide and produce oxygen in the presence of sunlight. While they do this, plants absorb the carbon dioxide which is expelled by fish and the rest. This helps maintain an equilibrium in nature.
Photosynthesis: The Process Behind Oxygen Production
During the day, underwater plants use photosynthesis and use light energy to convert carbon dioxide as well as water into glucose and oxygen. Photosynthesis’s well-known equation can be summed up in the following manner: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy = C6H12O6 + 6O2.
In other words, for every six carbon dioxide molecules that are absorbed, six oxygen molecules are released. When you have live plants in your aquarium, not only does the oxygen level increase, they also provide nutrients to the plant while reducing ammonia and nitrites levels.
Factors That Affect Oxygen Production in Live Plants
Although it is a known fact that live plants increase oxygen levels, not all plants perform similarly. There are certain factors that play an important role in this:
- Light Level: Plants require light to undergo photosynthesis. The rate of oxygen production is affected by light intensity and duration. Experts suggest 10-12 hours of light, depending on your plants.
- Plant Species: Different species of plants have different rates of growth and photosynthesis. Quick-growing plants like Hornwort and Water Sprite make more oxygen than slow-growing plants.
- Water Quality: Optimum plants produce in clean and well-kept water. The plant criteria like pH and temperature inhibits its growth and thus reduces the oxygen production.
- CO2 Concentration: The optimum concentration of carbon dioxide is required for the process of photosynthesis. Some aquarists choose to use CO2 injection systems to promote plant growth and oxygen production.
Even though live plants can add to the oxygen levels in your aquarium, they should not be seen as a substitute for aeration. Aeration helps mix the water and ensure oxygen gets all through the tank. This improves oxygenation and circulation. At night, plants stop making sugar and start using the sugar they made in the day. One factor not discussed here is the likelihood of getting a tank with NO oxygen if you only rely on plants. Fish require oxygen to survive and breath-out carbon dioxide which plants utilize. So an insufficient quantity of plants which can happen in a densely planted tank or if you have too many fish can lead to fish deaths due to suffocation at night with just the plants in the tank for oxygen.
Benefits of Live Plants in Fish Tanks
Besides raising oxygen levels in a fish tank, live plants have several other benefits. They are a natural filter, they consume nutrients and toxins to keep the water body clean. They also help control algae by consuming their nutrients, light, and space. Live plants serve as habitats for fish which gives them a security blanket to stay out of harm’s way. It also helps them breed. Lastly, they serve as a decorative item as they are beautiful to look at and really increase the aesthetic value of a fish tank.
When selecting plants for your aquarium, consider the type of fish you’re keeping. If you have fish that like lower light levels, it’s best to select shade-tolerant plants. For example, Java Fern and Anubias are good choices.
- Growth Rate: Choose fast-growing plants as they will help stabilize your water conditions.
- Size and Space: Make sure the size of your aquarium matches the potential size of your plants. Larger tanks work better for taller plants like cabomba while smaller ones can accommodate their low-growing varieties.
Maintain a healthy water environment with live plants adding oxygen. To keep up with maintenance are:
- Water Changes: The water needs to be changed on a weekly basis to maintain the water quality and take up the excess nutrients.
- Fertilization: You should use a good fertilizer that is essential for the growth of the live plants. If you have a heavily planted tank, you should provide the necessary fertilizer.
- Pruning: As the live plants grow, they will need to be pruned regularly otherwise they will overgrow and overshadow smaller plants.
- Monitoring Parameters: You should keep on testing the water parameters regularly to ensure everything is in check and balanced.
Conclusion
Live Plants Increase Oxygen in Aquarium. But they have to be part of a more comprehensive strategy that has proper aeration and water quality. When you have live plants in your aquarium, they release oxygen and create a balanced ecosystem which is good for the fish. Good plant investment and maintaining the right environment you can have a lovely aquarium where both you and your fish can thrive.
