Most of the plants are planted in the substrate, but there are also some that do not require it. We can attach them to stones, roots and other elements with a fishing line, mesh or suitable glue. What plants can we attach to the decoration? This article is about it.

Anubias aquarium plants

They are found in western and equatorial Africa, in shady swampy areas and in water with fast current. They grow attached to roots, stones or directly in the soil. They are plants of various sizes, with dark green hard leaves growing from the rhizome-stem. When planting the plant in the ground, be careful not to bury the rhizome. Their growth is slow, an average of 6 leaves per year.

They are quite tolerant when it comes to changing conditions, they quickly adapt to the new environment. The optimal water temperature is 20-30 ° C, pH 5.5-8.0, water hardness 2 – 20 ° n. Lighting should be dim, diffused. Within the range of direct and long-term lighting, the leaves on the upper part become covered with a layer of algae, then they curl and die. Recommended weekly water changes. New cuttings can be obtained by dividing the rhizomes, which we divide into pieces with suckers with at least 3 leaves.

Microsorium pteropus aquarium plants

It is a water fern. It grows on the seabed and wet shores of rocky forest streams as well as fallen trunks and roots in the flooded areas of southern China and the Indian Peninsula in areas characterized by periodic changes in the water level. Long leaves and dark threadlike roots emerge from a heavily branched dark green rhizome. Special buds appear at the tips of the underwater leaves, from which young plantlets develop with their own root system. The aquatic forms reproduce by spores produced on the underside of the leaves. There are many varieties that differ in the shape of the leaves.

It shows high tolerance to the chemical properties of water. It withstands hardness from 3 ° to 22 ° n, but prefers a soft one, and a pH between 5.5 and 8. It grows best at 22-28 ° C. Frequent water changes for this fern are not required, they may even slow down their growth a bit. However, water movement and good filtration are necessary so that the leaves do not accumulate impurities, because then black spots appear on the leaves and the plant begins to rot.

We do not plant this plant in the ground, because then its roots will rot. It is best to attach it to stones or wood with a fishing line, which can be removed after some time, as the roots are capable of self-attaching to the substrate.

Hydrocotyle leucocephala aquarium plant

Mud and marsh plant, found at the banks of rivers and streams in tropical regions of South America. It has kidney-shaped or round corrugated leaves that are light green in color. The nutrients are absorbed from the water by the entire surface of the leaves and threadlike roots that do not grow into the substrate. Among its roots, fry are eagerly hidden. After reaching the water level, it is placed on the surface and can even “come out” from open aquariums. It can be bred floating on the surface of the water and embedded in the substrate. It grows better as a floating plant. It blooms in relatively hard water, producing small white flowers.

It can adapt to any conditions in the aquarium. It grows best at a temperature of 22-28 ° C, pH 5.5-8.0, although pH and hardness do not really matter. In old water that has not been changed for a long time, it decomposes quickly, so weekly changes are necessary.

A very fast growing plant, it absorbs large amounts of minerals from the water. Most often it is propagated by planting cut parts of the stem.

Mosses as aquarium plants

Mosses are relatively easy to grow. Depending on the species, they differ in the size of the leaves, the stiffness of the stems and the growth rate. They are propagated by dividing the twigs. They can form lawns, grow on roots, stones and other elements of the decor, and also float loosely in the water. Desirable in spawning tanks, they are an excellent spawning ground. Very often used in arrangements for prawns. They need clean water as dirt easily settles on the twigs.

All mosses deserve attention, but the easiest ones are:

• Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)

It comes from the Philippines and Indonesia. It grows on wet banks of water reservoirs, periodically flooded. It grows on tree trunks, soil and stones. It grows well in any water, withstands hardness from 2 to 30 ° N, temperatures from 15 – 30 ° C and pH 5 – 8. It grows well in shade, and in too intense light it easily grows with algae. Very eagerly eaten by Crossocheilus siamensis fish.

• Red Moss (Caloglossa cf. beccarii)

It is a low-expansion red algae, which is called moss due to its appearance. It occurs in all warmer areas of the earth: India, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, the Solomon Islands, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. Depending on the species, it is found in the sea, brackish waters, lakes, freshwater streams and estuaries where it is overgrown with mangrove roots. Depending on the intensity of the light, it ranges in color from rusty-orange, through maroon to brown. It creates a great contrast to green lawns.

It is not difficult to grow, it grows in almost any conditions. Growth is favored by temperatures above 22 ° C, intense light and the presence of fertilizers. Like all red algae, it is sensitive to glutaraldehyde (carbo, liquid carbon). It reproduces very easily by dividing the thallus.

• Peacock Moss (Taxiphyllum sp.)

The name comes from the appearance of twigs that resemble a peacock’s tail. It has very densely leafed twigs, which makes it one of the most decorative mosses. Reaches up to 10 cm in height. It has an average growth rate. Tolerates a wide range of conditions. It likes lower temperatures, up to 25 ° C, soft to hard water, with a pH of 5 – 7.5. It grows better in good lighting (0.3 – 1.5 W / l), with the addition of fertilizers and CO2.

Spherical Seaweed (Cladophora aegagrophila)

It is a green algae, growing in the form of intensely green spheres, the diameter of which usually does not exceed 15 cm, although in nature there are specimens with a diameter of 20-30 cm. You can create lawns or arrange underwater trees. Larger copies may be empty inside. Often placed in aquariums with shrimps.

In its natural environment, it lives in clear stagnant or weak current waters in the area of ​​Europe and Asia. It occurs in fresh and brackish waters. It reproduces by dividing the thallus (ball).

There are no excessive requirements. It prefers soft to medium hard water, absolutely clean, at a temperature of 20 – 28 ° C. He likes bright light. Under good conditions (very intense lighting), oxygen bubbles may appear on its surface in the process of photosynthesis, which lift the ball up during the day. Overnight, the seaweed settles to the bottom. It is considered that the most compact and durable balls are taken by seaweed at a temperature of 19 – 20 ° C with strong lighting. Suitable for aquariums without heating. The downside is that water contaminants quickly settle on it, so you have to rinse it from time to time. It should not be kept in tanks with fish actively searching the bottom for food.

Subwassertang (Lomariopsis cf. lineata)

Found in nature in Southeast Asia. It belongs to the liverworts. It has no leaves or roots, but a thallus that spreads out in all directions to form a compact structure.

It grows in almost all conditions. It feels good both in minimal and good lighting, in soft and hard water (at low hardness, the thallus is more delicate), with a temperature of 10-30 ° C. It can be used to create a background, plant stones, decorations or attached to the ground for rugs. After attaching the roots or branches to the appropriate shape, we can conjure up underwater trees.