Live plants in a tank aren’t just for aesthetics; they also serve as a source of clean, filtered water for your turtle. Not only that, but plants also have beneficial properties that support the health of your turtle by filtering impurities from the water and providing it with essential nutrients.
When you add live plants to your tank to give it an extra element of visual appeal, you’re also helping to keep harmful bacteria and algae at bay. Without these unwanted microorganisms competing for space and light, there’s less risk of them growing rapidly and damaging the other inhabitants of your tank.
Can I put live plants in my turtle tank?
Adding live plants to your turtle tank is a great idea, but it’s not without its risks. When adding plants to your tank, you should also consider the types of plants that are good for your turtle. You might want to avoid using live plants in your tank if they’re non-native or invasive to your area. Some aquatic plants, like water lettuce and duckweed, should never be introduced into a new environment because they can further damage the ecosystem and crowd out other desirable species.
You should also make sure that the plant you choose for your turtle doesn’t have any toxic properties that could harm the turtle. Some common signs that you should be aware of are dying leaves, brown spots on the leaves, wilting foliage, and discolored water. These signs indicate that something may be wrong with the plant in question and could indicate either too much or too little light exposure or a lack of nutrients in the water.
What kind of plants should I put in my turtle tank?
The best plants for turtle tanks are live orchid plants, which do well in both low-light and high-light conditions. They also come in a variety of colors, so you can put some that stand out in your tank. For your turtle’s tank, try nepeta, vals pumila, moss balls, and java fern.
What live plants are safe for aquatic turtles?
Different types of live plants are suitable for different species of turtles. You’ll want to avoid aquatic plants that can directly feed on your turtle, like water lilies and duckweed. These types of plants will use up oxygen in the tank, as well as nutrients required by your turtle.
Some less-susceptible plants to these harmful bacteria are Amazon swords, water hyacinth, and water lettuce. There are also a variety of live aquatic plants that won’t harm your turtle. Some examples include Anacharis, Water Sprite, and Elodea.
When choosing live aquatic plants for your tank, you’ll need to consult with a professional about the type that would be best for your specific needs.
How do you keep live plants alive in a tank?
While there are a lot of different plants that can thrive in your tank, some of the most common include anacharis and java fern. Java fern is one of the easiest plants to maintain because it requires little care and doesn’t need much light. Anacharis is another option for a low maintenance plant that will still keep your water clean. If you have more time and space to devote to your plants, consider adding some water lettuce or duckweed to your tank. These plants require more light, but they also offer more nutrients for your turtle.
Keeping live plants alive in a tank isn’t difficult as long as you have the right equipment. A simple starter kit will include everything you need to get started with keeping live plants alive in a tank including fish safe fertilizers and filter media that removes harmful bacteria from the water.