There are many resources on the internet giving information to the hobbyist on how to grow plants. There are also many different approaches and conflicting information. When I try to help people, I am often faced with comments such as "I have been keeping plants for years without doing anything special and only using the lights and equipment that came with my tank"… While this is true for many people, there are basic requirements that if used can greatly enhance the appearance and longevity of your plants. The average beginner that simply wants to have a few plants without giving it much thought or care may have limited success and yet be satisfied. There is nothing wrong with this if you are satisfied with the results, but if you strive for something better there are steps you can take.

The basics

To understand your options, you need an understanding of the basic requirements that aquatic plants have. A balance of major and minor nutrients, and light is all that is required, and in what proportion varies from plant to plant to some extent. Major or macro nutrients include nitrogen and phosphate, which is provided by the fish population, minor or trace elements include iron, manganese, and other minerals which need to be added to the water or the gravel/substrate, or both. Light intensity has the most noticeable affect on plant growth. How one reaches that best optimal level is the most debated subject on the internet and perhaps the most confusing. While people can argue what the optimum level is, and how to get there, the fact remains when you increase your light intensity, you get stronger plants and quicker growth.

There are no absolutes in defining the various techniques and requirements, but there are rules of thumb and generalities that can be made to help you gauge optimal results. In general plants bought as cuttings or "bunches" need much stronger light in order to take root and multiply than "rosette", (plants growing from a distinct crown without stems), or "rhizome" plants, (plants growing from a main tuber root). In general plants fall into either the low/minimal light intensity level, moderate, or bright. I don't know who exactly was the first to come up with the watts per gallon rule, but some variation of it has been used for years. It is based on the average light output per watt of a standard fluorescent. It is a simple way for anyone to figure out how much light they need. In my opinion, the accuracy of it is unimportant, particularly if you use the premise; "more is better". Here is the watt per gallon rule that I like to follow: 1.5 to 2 watts per gallon of water minimum for "low light" plants. 2 to 3 watts per gallon for "moderate light" plants. 3 watts per gallon or higher for "bright level" plants.

Sifting through the information

When researching this subject on the internet and in magazines, you will find different approaches to building the perfect substrate, providing fertilization, CO2, and sufficient light. My advice is to bear in mind that all the approaches share commonalties to bring the same end result. Look for simplicity, low cost, and how comfortable you would be in doing it. Commercial fertilizers made for the aquarium are the simplest solution, and if you have the desire and patience you can adapt more sophisticated fertilization methods that may include a "do it yourself" system. Keeping aquatic plants does not have to be complicated, expensive, or time consuming, but it can be depending on the level of sophistication that you desire. If you follow one of the step by step plans detailed by various professionals, such as the low tech kitty litter method, the "Optimum aquarium" approach from Dupla, the Poor Mans Daily Drops method, subsoil method, the Amano Nature Aquarium method, potted plants, Hi-tech, (intensive lighting, pressurized CO2, substrate heaters) or the so called "Dutch" aquarium method, stay with it for several months before opting for something else. Do not mix methods together without fully understanding the implications.

Some people may scoff at all this as being overkill nonsense for commercial gain by those pushing it, but for many people it is a serious hobby that includes many advances in technology, and technique. The results can be breathtaking. Aquatic gardening in many respects is no different from outdoor gardening. There is no such thing as a person who either has or doesn't have a green thumb. People who have attractive gardens are able to provide the plants with what they need to grow healthy, (either by design or by accident!) It can not get much simpler than that!