Dustin's Blog — Plants

Read Time: 4 minutes In the criminal justice system, aquatic plant people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the fish tank enthusiasts, who buy and love the plants; and the ecologists, who need therapy every time they see them. These are their stories.  One of the most overlooked topics for planted tank beginners is agriculture and fish/wildlife law. If the idea crosses their minds at all, the most common thought is, "It's available and I can buy it; therefore, it must be fair game." Technically, I can buy the pet red panda I've always wanted, but that doesn't mean I'm...

Read Time: 4 minutes If there's one thing everyone in the aquarium hobby might actually agree on, it's that aquascaped carpets look epic and we all secretly (or not so secretly) want one in our tanks. "How do I get my tank to look like that?" is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to carpeting plants. Unfortunately, a lot of people jump in head first, can't get a carpet established, and get discouraged without realizing where they went wrong. Carpets can definitely feel daunting, but they don't have to.  If you've ever asked the questions "How...

Read Time: 6 minutes What is a biotope tank? A biotope aquarium is basically an underwater snapshot. The goal is to replicate a specific environment via animals, plants, decor, etc. There are hundreds of ideas: Burmese rivers, Florida swamps, floodplains, African lakes…if there's an aquatic region you like, chances are you can replicate it in your tank (The cover photo is an Indian biotope).  An African Biotope Tank Pros and cons for biotope tanks? The most obvious pro is that natural tanks are gorgeous, but they also provide an environment in which your fish can express natural behaviors (a...

Read Time: 5 mins Usually, thinking of planted tanks conjures up images of fish, or maybe of aquascaped tanks with no animals at all. But there’s a whole other side to the aquarium hobby that might hook you the way it’s hooked me: amphibians and invertebrates. If you’re looking for a unique planted tank idea and/or want to know which plants to put with your non-fish companions, then look no further. Here, we’ll match tried-and-true aquarium plant species with tank inhabitants you might have overlooked. A leucistic axolotl in a planted tank Aquarium Plants for Axolotls I’ve seen several posts from...

Read Time: 4 minutes So, you’ve got some experience with aquariums; you’re seeing growth on your beginner aquarium plants; and you’ve realized how awesome this whole planted tank thing is. But now, you’re squinting at other species and wondering, “Are there aquarium plants for people who want to try something new without biting off more than they can chew? Maybe I want to get better lights? I think I want to try fertilizer.” Congrats. You’ve landed on the right page. Welcome to part two of the series on which aquarium plants are right for you based on difficulty, maintenance, and...