Background aquarium plants play an important role in the overall look and feel of your tank. Not only do they add color and life to your aquarium, but they can also help to minimize distractions and create a more natural look.
When it comes to aquarium plants, there are two main types: foreground and background.
Foreground plants are the ones that sit in the front of your tank and background plants are the ones that sit in the back. Most people focus on choosing the best foreground plants because they want their tank to look as beautiful as possible. However, background plants are just as important.
If you’re looking for the best background aquarium plants, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will discuss what makes a great background plant and give you our top 10 picks.
We’ll also provide tips on how to choose the best plants for your tank. So whether you’re just starting out with planted tanks or are looking for an update, read on for some great information!
10 Background Aquarium Plants
Background aquarium plants are an essential part of any freshwater tank. Not only do they provide a beautiful background, but they also help to oxygenate the water and provide hiding places for fish. They can also help to filter the water and remove unwanted toxins.
There are many different types of background aquarium plants, so it is important to choose the ones that are best suited for your tank. Here are our top picks:
1. Anubias Nana
Anubias Nana is a beautiful and popular aquarium plant that can make a great addition to any fish tank. It is easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, making it a good choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists alike. Anubias Nana is also known to be resistant to most types of algae, making it a good plant to help keep your aquarium clean.
This plant is perfect for small tanks or Nano tanks. It has a compact growth habit and can be attached to rocks or driftwood.
2. Bacopa Monnieri
This plant is a great choice for beginners. It is easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of conditions.
Bacopa Monnieri is a fast-growing plant and can quickly reach the full height of the aquarium. It can be propagated by cuttings or by dividing the plant. Bacopa Monnieri is an undemanding plant and will do well in most aquariums.
It prefers a medium-light level but can tolerate low light levels. The leaves of Bacopa Monnieri are delicate and can be damaged by too much movement in the water. It is best to plant Bacopa Monnieri in the background of the aquarium where it will not be disturbed by fish.
Bacopa Monnieri is an easy plant to care for and makes a good choice for beginners. It is a good oxygenator and helps to keep the water clean.
Bacopa Monnieri is a hardy plant and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. It is best to keep Bacopa Monnieri in an aquarium with a pH of 6.5-7.5 and a water temperature of 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Cabomba Caroliniana
This plant is perfect for creating a dense background. It has long, flowing leaves and can grow up to two feet tall.
Cabomba Caroliniana is an aquarium background plant that is native to Brazil. It is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 2 feet in height. The leaves are dark green and somewhat oval-shaped.
The flowers are white and grow on spikes. Cabomba Caroliniana is a popular plant for Aquarium backgrounds because it provides a natural look and can help to oxygenate the water.
Cabomba Caroliniana is relatively easy to care for and does not require much maintenance. It can be propagated by cutting the stem and replanting it on the substrate. Cabomba Caroliniana prefers a well-lit aquarium with a moderate water flow.
It can be sensitive to changes in water parameters, so it is important to maintain a stable environment. Cabomba Caroliniana is a popular plant for Aquarium backgrounds and can be a great addition to your tank.
4. Echinodorus Tenellus
This plant is perfect for creating a natural-looking background. It has short, compact leaves and can be attached to rocks or driftwood.
Echinodorus Tenellus is a slow-growing plant, but it can reproduce rapidly by sending out runners. This plant is best suited for aquariums that have a lot of open space, as it will spread quickly and fill in any empty areas. It can be a good choice for beginners, as it is very easy to care for.
This plant prefers a medium-light level and a nutrient-rich substrate. It can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, but it does best in neutral to slightly acidic water.
It is not tolerant of salt levels and should not be kept in brackish water. Echinodorus Tenellus is a very hardy plant and can withstand some neglect. However, it will not do well if it is constantly being moved or disturbed.
5. Hydrocotyle Verticillata
This plant is perfect for creating a background with some movement. It has long, winding stems and floating leaves.
Hydrocotyle Verticillata, also known as Marsh Feverfew, is a popular background aquarium plant. It is easily identified by its whorls of leaves which give it a cascading appearance. This plant is fairly easy to care for and will thrive in most aquarium conditions. It is a fast-growing plant and can quickly spread to cover a large area.
Hydrocotyle Verticillata is a great plant for beginners as it is very forgiving and does not require strict care. It can tolerate a wide range of water conditions and lighting levels. This plant is also relatively undemanding in terms of nutrients and does not need rich soil to thrive.
6. Ludwigia Repens
This plant is perfect for creating a background with some color. It has bright green leaves and can grow up to two feet tall.
Ludwigia Repens is a beautiful, versatile plant that can be used as a background aquarium plant. It is easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. Ludwigia Repens will add a splash of color to your aquarium and create a naturalistic look.
7. Myriophyllum Mattogrossense
This plant is perfect for creating a background with some texture. It has feathery leaves and can grow up to two feet tall.
Myriophyllum Mattogrossense, also known as Giant Cabomba, is a popular aquarium background plant. It is easy to care for and proliferates, making it a great choice for beginners.
This plant can reach up to 2 feet in height and has dark green leaves. Myriophyllum Mattogrossense is a great addition to any aquarium, providing both beauty and function. This plant will help to oxygenate the water and provides hiding places for fish.
8. Sagittaria Subulata
This plant is perfect for creating a background with some height. It has tall, narrow leaves and can grow up to three feet tall.
Sagittaria subulata is a popular choice for an aquarium background plant. It is easy to care for and can thrive in a wide range of aquarium conditions. This plant is fast-growing and will quickly fill out your aquarium background. Sagittaria subulata is a great plant for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.
If you are looking for a fast-growing plant to fill out your aquarium background, Sagittaria subulata is a great choice.
9. Vallisneria Gigantea
This plant is perfect for creating a background with some movement. It has long, flowing leaves and can grow up to four feet tall.
Vallisneria Gigantea is a beautiful background aquarium plant that adds both color and texture to your tank. This hardy plant is easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, making it a great choice for beginner aquarists.
Vallisneria Gigantea grows quickly and can reach heights of up to 2 feet, making it an ideal plant for tall tanks. This versatile plant can be planted in the substrate or left floating freely in the water column.
If you are looking for a background aquarium plant that is easy to care for and adds both color and texture to your tank, then Vallisneria Gigantea is a great choice.
10. Cryptocorynes
Cryptocorynes are aquarium background plants that provide a naturalistic look to your tank.
They are easy to care for and maintain, and their leaves come in a variety of colors and sizes. Cryptocorynes can be planted in the substrate or left free-floating, and they will readily propagate in most aquariums.
If you are looking for an aquarium background plant that is easy to care for and maintain, then Cryptocorynes is a great option.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different types of background aquarium plants to choose from. When selecting the plants for your background, it is important to consider the size of your tank, the lighting conditions, and the water parameters. We hope this article has helped you to choose the perfect background plants for your freshwater tank!
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