Are you looking for live plants for a small marine aquarium? Saltwater marine plants aquarium can be challenging, but they are not as difficult as you think. With a little research and careful planning, you can build a thriving ecosystem for marine aquariums in the UK that is fun to look at and beautiful addition to your home.
While it’s easy to focus on the fish and other creatures you want to add to your tank, don’t forget to spend some time choosing the right marine plants aquarium. To create a natural-looking saltwater tank, you need the right mix of the best coral food for asmall marine aquarium.
Top 5 saltwater marine plants for the aquarium
There are many great saltwater plants to choose from, but here are 5 of the best:
- Red mangrove
In the world’s tropical oceans, red mangroves reproduce in two ways, by forming large seeds or by producing a propagule. While mangrove seeds don’t do very well in an aquarium setting, propagules are harder and make a unique addition to the tank.
Mangroves are suitable for a houseplant, marine plants, aquariums, and garden ponds/gardens (in summer). The propagules are usually 15 to 20 centimeters long and resemble a tall candle. It can be planted in the sand or among the rocks. With proper lighting, the roots quickly take hold. This plant helps reduce nitrates but may require iron supplementation.
- Halimeda
Because they are found in oceans worldwide, the Halimeda plant fits into almost any small marine aquarium. This attractive plant has irregular, oval-shaped leaves resembling coins that have been glued together on a single string. It is also known as the Money Plant.
These plants are quite hardy in an environment with sufficient light and calcium but do not tolerate high nitrate levels well. Most fish don’t like to eat them, and they are non-invasive, so they get along with most other living creatures.
- Dragon Tongue Algae
This lovely marineplant adds a splash of bright orange color to your small marine aquarium and has an interesting texture for added visual interest. Also, it is effective in improving water quality by oxygenating the water and filtering out excessive nutrients.
Under the right conditions, this plant is a fast grower and should be anchored to rock for best results. This is not a good choice for tanks with large herbivores unless you are looking for a food source for them. That said, it’s great in a nano reef tank and a good fit with seahorses.
- Green finger algae
Green Finger Algae is a beautiful decorative plant with a bright, deep green color that is a welcome addition to any aquarium. It is a lush, dense plant that is easy to care for and adds a bit of softness to newly established tanks.
Most herbivores are not interested in green finger algae, so it is compatible with most tank dwellers. This algae also provide natural filtration and oxygenation to help keep the tank clean and healthy.
- Gracilaria red algae
If you have difficulty keeping nutrients balanced in your tank, consider adding a Red Gracilaria. This marine aquarium plant is extremely effective at preventing excess nutrients from building up and can help get rid of invasive algae growth.
This is a great plant for a shelter because it can be harvested and fed by the herbivorous fish in the main tank. It’s a great fit for the main tank, too. Just be sure to anchor it to a rock or other firm surface where it can take root and gain stability.