Saggitaria and dwarf saggitarita
A final word on fertilisers and maintenance. Many slower growing and hardy species will do well without additives, but
should you notice yellow leaves, poor growth, and algae on your plants, it means they need a bit more help. A regular dose of
liquid plant fertiliser with nitrate, potassium and trace elements will assist greatly, as will fertiliser tabs or balls near the base
of heavy root feeders like swords. CO2 can also be a dramatically limiting factor, and this can be improved with some
turbulence to mix CO2 from the air back into the water (and off-gas excess CO2 at night), daily doses of liquid carbon
sources available now, and/or the use of a 'siesta' period where lights are out for 4 or more hours during the day. This slows
or stops plants heavily photosynthesising, and allows CO2 from fish, bacteria and plant respiration to build up again before
the next period of lights on. It also reduces power consumption, and allows those of us who work the usual day-time hours to
enjoy our tanks a while in the morning, and then again well into the evening without leaving the lights on too long, which can
result in algae blooms. These periods need not be even, a 2-3 hour morning light period on at 6am, off at 9am, then on again
at 5pm to 10pm at night will also work very well and will only total 8 hours of actual lights-on time. And you can enjoy your
aquarium all evening!
You and your fish will love the benefits live plants will bring, from shelter and water purification to their stunning natural
beauty.
Happy (aqua) gardening!
Leah Docks is a long standing CDAS member and author of aquarium articles that have appeared in Tropical Fish Hobbyist,
Amazonas and other high quality hobby magazines.