The addition of a fresh water aquarium plants is recommended because the plants are able to utilize nitrates in the water that may be a problem to tropical fish if found in large quantities. In addition they enhance the aesthetics of the aquarium.  There are several options to choose from and they include Hygrophilia, Polyspema, and java fern among a great variety of others.  Before getting these plants there are several parameters that should be put into consideration.

•    Plants just like the fish require specific conditions for them to thrive and confirmation has to be done by experts to find out exactly what harness, lighting and PH levels are needed for each of the plants.

•    A sufficient substrate is needed to aid in the chemical balance in the aquarium. If the plants are placed directly in the gravel then there has to be an addition of iron supplements for the water. Clay can be placed in the water where the plants can grow sufficiently. In this case there would not be any need for the addition of iron supplements.

•    Different plants need different lighting intensity to flourish and this measurement is done according to the gallons of water and wattage of light. A sufficient amount of light ensures that photosynthesis occurs and the carbon dioxide needed for this process to occur will come from the respiration of the fish. Sometimes a carbon dioxide injector is used if not enough is coming from the fish.

•    The species of fish being reared has to be sufficiently compatible with the aquarium plants. Some fish like to uproot certain plants while others keep on nibbling at certain plants.   Some research has to be done before settling on a certain plant variety.

•    Plants may have undesirable substances and creatures on them and because of this they need to be disinfected before they are put in the tank.  This can be done by soaking them in potassium permanganate for a period of about ten minutes. This is able to effectively do away with pathogens and any form of bacteria that could be transferred to the aquarium. To kill any snail eggs on the plants, they need to be soaked for two days in a table spoon per gallon of a substance known as alum. It can be purchased from drug stores. Fresh water aquarium plants are practical as well as decorative and their purposes are plenty.