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©Petland Inc. 2006

™

you wish to grow plants on. After the plant roots have grown and attached themselves securely to the wood or rock, the fishing line can be carefully cut away.

MAINTENANCE

Pruning – Just like the plants in your household, aquatic plants (especially bunch plants) require trimming. As an aquarium plant grows, it will become thick with leaves and will block the light from reaching the other plants below. Aquatic plant trimmers have extended handles which allow you the easily reach into your aquarium and prune your plants.

Leaf Removal – Periodically plants will lose leaves due to lack of lighting or damage caused by fish nibbling on them. Decaying leaves can cause excess pollution and a decrease in pH.

On a weekly basis, remove any decaying or damaged leaves to maintain healthy plants and a clean aquarium.

Checklist

o Fluorescent lights

o 2 ½" aquarium gravel

o Laterite gravel additive

o Nitrogen & phosphate fertilizer

o Iron & trace element fertilizer

o Aquatic plant trimmer or rocks you wish to grow plants on. After the plant roots have grown and attached themselves securely to the wood or rock, the fishing line can be carefully cut away.

Please ask your pet counsellor what other items pertain to your particular plant’s needs!

*Ask about the volunteer programs at your nearest Petland location.

Cleanliness and Safety

All pets must be kept in a clean environment to avoid the spread of dirt and contaminants to yourself and others. Always keep your pet’s home clean, and wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning his home.

Please remember that all pets may bite or scratch, and may transmit diseases to humans. Young children, infants, p r e g n a n t w o m e n , p e o p l e w i t h compromised immune systems and the elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with pets or their homes.

PET TIPS

KEEPING LIVEPLANTS IN THE

AQUARIUM

Rev. 09/07/11 JH

®

Shop onlinewww.petland.ca

THE ROLE OF LIVE PLANTS IN THE I n c a n d e s c e n t l i g h t s a r e n o t necessary for new set-ups. As these AQUARIUM recommended for live plants, because nutrients are created, the plant life will

they are either not bright enough or absorb them. The quantity of live plants It is hard to imagine fish living in a lake, produce too much heat. and adversely live fish will determine river or stream without the presence of whether it will be necessary to aquatic fauna. An aquarium with live Flourescent lighting is suitable for supplement in established aquariums.plants looks beautiful and creates an growing live plants. To calculate how every-changing backdrop for your fish. much flourescent light is needed, average Iron and trace element fertilizers are

about two watts of light per gallon (3.8 L) necessary for plant growth and vibrant An aquarium fully decorated with live of water. A combination of plant growth plant colours and should be added to the plants is a sight to behold. The different and daylight bulbs are recommended. To water on a regular basis.colours and plant shapes create a unique maintain the optimum amount of light for environment in every aquarium. Tropical Aquarium Gardeningyour plants, replace your bulbs once a fish feel at home in this environment and The planting techniques are different year.they are less likely to compete for depending upon the plant species.territories. Quite often they will be inclined Temperature – Most plants do not

Bunch Plants– remove the rubber band to breed as if they were in their native demand a specific temperature, as long or lead weight so that each strand can be environment. as it does not exceed 82°F (28°C). prepped and planted. To prep the plant

Live plants are a natural benefit to your Aquarium Gravel – The best gravel for a strand, a 1 ½ inches bare stem is needed. aquarium: plant’s root development is a fine to Pull off all the leaves down to the node l They convert carbon dioxide into medium grade. The gravel base should (where the leaf connects to the stem), oxygen. Oxygen is essential to the be at least 2 ½ inches for proper root which will allow the bare stem to grow inhabitant of your aquarium. The development. roots. The plant stems can now be floated increased oxygen levels will also boost in the aquarium for a few days to develop

Laterite – This natural type of river clay your aquarium’s biological filtration roots or be wrapped in rock wool and (rich in fertilizers) can be used in capability. planted.combination with aquarium gravel. This

l Nitrates are plant nutrients, which are type of mix will provide a base of Bare Root Plants – These plants need to created by b io logical f i l t ra t ion. necessary nutrients for good root growth be planted like house plants. Dig a hole in Phosphates are also plant nutrients found and development of the plants planted in the gravel large enough to accommodate in fish waste. Without live plants in the the gravel. the roots. Gently place the plant roots in aquarium, these nutrients would build-up the hole and spread them out. Carefully

NUTRITIONALcausing algae to grow faster. cover the roots with enough gravel to secure it in place. Make sure you don’t

Plant foods should be added to the ENVIRONMENTAL push the crown of the plant (the node from aquarium for the growth and health of where all the plant stems radiate) below

Lighting – All plants require light to grow, aquatic plants. Each aquarium utilizes the gravel surface, doing so can damage but sunlight shining through the window these nutrients at different rates. Water the crown and alter growth.can cause problems in the aquarium. testing is the best method of judging when Intense sunlight would cause an and how much to add. Mounted Plants – Some plant species increased growth of unsightly algae. The root on wood and rocks and will require a

Nitrogen and Phosphate Fertilizers – heat coming off the window can also little help. Use fishing line to attach the Adding extra nitrogen and phosphates is cause the water temperature to fluctuate. plant base and roots to the driftwoodrocks

Join TodaySave every day!

Join TodaySave every day!

©Petland Inc. 2006

™

you wish to grow plants on. After the plant roots have grown and attached themselves securely to the wood or rock, the fishing line can be carefully cut away.

MAINTENANCE

Pruning – Just like the plants in your household, aquatic plants (especially bunch plants) require trimming. As an aquarium plant grows, it will become thick with leaves and will block the light from reaching the other plants below. Aquatic plant trimmers have extended handles which allow you the easily reach into your aquarium and prune your plants.

Leaf Removal – Periodically plants will lose leaves due to lack of lighting or damage caused by fish nibbling on them. Decaying leaves can cause excess pollution and a decrease in pH.

On a weekly basis, remove any decaying or damaged leaves to maintain healthy plants and a clean aquarium.

Checklist

o Fluorescent lights

o 2 ½" aquarium gravel

o Laterite gravel additive

o Nitrogen & phosphate fertilizer

o Iron & trace element fertilizer

o Aquatic plant trimmer or rocks you wish to grow plants on. After the plant roots have grown and attached themselves securely to the wood or rock, the fishing line can be carefully cut away.

Please ask your pet counsellor what other items pertain to your particular plant’s needs!

*Ask about the volunteer programs at your nearest Petland location.

Cleanliness and Safety

All pets must be kept in a clean environment to avoid the spread of dirt and contaminants to yourself and others. Always keep your pet’s home clean, and wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning his home.

Please remember that all pets may bite or scratch, and may transmit diseases to humans. Young children, infants, p r e g n a n t w o m e n , p e o p l e w i t h compromised immune systems and the elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with pets or their homes.

PET TIPS

KEEPING LIVEPLANTS IN THE

AQUARIUM

Rev. 09/07/11 JH

®

Shop onlinewww.petland.ca