Plants are pretty much essential for every freshwater aquarium-they look great and provide cover for your fish.
There are several benefits to both artificial and live plants for your freshwater aquarium.
Live plants give off oxygen and absorb nitrates.
They are also a food source for some fish.
They can however create waste and cause disease, and need looking after.
Artificial plants are easy to keep and will not die, meaning less waste is created.
Unfortunately they do not give off oxygen or absorb nitrates.
If you are still weighing the pros and cons of both, perhaps cost will be the deciding factor when choosing between live or artificial plants.
Here are some figures to help you make your decision.
This article will address the average prices of the most popular and best plants for freshwater aquariums-Ludwigia, Anacharis, Hairgrass, Hydrophila, Cabomba, Java Fern, and Amazon & Argentine Swords.
Bear in mind that the first five have the most realistic artificial replicas, while the last three look best in an aquarium if they are actual plants.
Let's talk prices for real live plants first.
Ludwigia sells for three dollars for a nine-inch tall plant, five dollars for fifteen inches, and nine dollars for twenty-four inches.
Anacharis sells for around three dollars for all sizes, Hairgrass for four.
You can find Hygrophila and Java Fern for in the four to five dollar range.
Cabomba is surprisingly cheap, selling for between two and three dollars a plant.
Amazon and Argentine Swords both sell for close to five dollars a plant, or eight if you buy a larger, potted version.
Artificial plants tend to be cheaper, with a few exceptions.
You can find artificial Ludwigia plants for two dollars if it is under six inches tall, less than three dollars if it is under nine inches, five dollars under fifteen inches, and above that they cost around eight dollars.
Small fake Anacharis plants sell for two dollars, and as their sizes get bigger they range from four dollars to seven and a half.
Hairgrass is very cheap, being in the two-dollar range.
Hygrophila is generally three dollars or more, reaching eight dollars for the taller "plants.
" Artificial Cabomba is actually more expensive than its real life counterpart, ranging from three dollars to six.
Java Ferns are usually less than four dollars.
Small Amazon and Argentine Swords are about the same price.
Taller versions go for around the eight dollar mark.
The monetary difference between live aquarium plants and their replicas is only a couple of bucks.
If you do not care about those few dollars, there are other things to consider.
Decide how often you can maintain your aquarium and the plants in it.
Also think about the size of the tank and the number of fish in it, since it will affect how much oxygen is needed and how much waste will be created.
If the three-dollar cost difference between a live Cabomba and a false one fails to sway you, weigh the benefits of both before making a trip to your friendly neighborhood pet store.
There are several benefits to both artificial and live plants for your freshwater aquarium.
Live plants give off oxygen and absorb nitrates.
They are also a food source for some fish.
They can however create waste and cause disease, and need looking after.
Artificial plants are easy to keep and will not die, meaning less waste is created.
Unfortunately they do not give off oxygen or absorb nitrates.
If you are still weighing the pros and cons of both, perhaps cost will be the deciding factor when choosing between live or artificial plants.
Here are some figures to help you make your decision.
This article will address the average prices of the most popular and best plants for freshwater aquariums-Ludwigia, Anacharis, Hairgrass, Hydrophila, Cabomba, Java Fern, and Amazon & Argentine Swords.
Bear in mind that the first five have the most realistic artificial replicas, while the last three look best in an aquarium if they are actual plants.
Let's talk prices for real live plants first.
Ludwigia sells for three dollars for a nine-inch tall plant, five dollars for fifteen inches, and nine dollars for twenty-four inches.
Anacharis sells for around three dollars for all sizes, Hairgrass for four.
You can find Hygrophila and Java Fern for in the four to five dollar range.
Cabomba is surprisingly cheap, selling for between two and three dollars a plant.
Amazon and Argentine Swords both sell for close to five dollars a plant, or eight if you buy a larger, potted version.
Artificial plants tend to be cheaper, with a few exceptions.
You can find artificial Ludwigia plants for two dollars if it is under six inches tall, less than three dollars if it is under nine inches, five dollars under fifteen inches, and above that they cost around eight dollars.
Small fake Anacharis plants sell for two dollars, and as their sizes get bigger they range from four dollars to seven and a half.
Hairgrass is very cheap, being in the two-dollar range.
Hygrophila is generally three dollars or more, reaching eight dollars for the taller "plants.
" Artificial Cabomba is actually more expensive than its real life counterpart, ranging from three dollars to six.
Java Ferns are usually less than four dollars.
Small Amazon and Argentine Swords are about the same price.
Taller versions go for around the eight dollar mark.
The monetary difference between live aquarium plants and their replicas is only a couple of bucks.
If you do not care about those few dollars, there are other things to consider.
Decide how often you can maintain your aquarium and the plants in it.
Also think about the size of the tank and the number of fish in it, since it will affect how much oxygen is needed and how much waste will be created.
If the three-dollar cost difference between a live Cabomba and a false one fails to sway you, weigh the benefits of both before making a trip to your friendly neighborhood pet store.
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