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Submerged Oxygenating Aquatics |
In outdoor pools, submerged plants can be planted into the
bed or into specially made pockets of loam. When water is
poured directly on to the sand in an aquarium it will obviously
become very cloudy and may remain so for some time. To
reduce this to the minimum, cover the sand with a piece of
muslin or paper and stand a basin of some kind in the centre.
If the water is poured into the basin so that as it overflows,
the aquarium is gradually filled. There will then be much less
trouble with cloudy water. When the tank is three-quarters full,
remove the bowl and paper and begin planting. It is not neces-
sary or desirable for the whole aquarium to be filled and a
certain amount of grouping creates a pleasing effect. A flat
piece of wood is quite suitable as a planting tool. Particularly
with the small tanks one should bear in mind the fact that the
'picture' will be looked at through the front of the tank so that
the view should not be blocked.
Among the many pleasing species of plants available, we
can only mention a few of those which have something to
recommend them.
Apium inundatum is of more value because of its appearance,
than as an oxygenator. It is not unlike watercress, having
finely-cut leaves and small white flowers which appear above
the surface of the water.
Callitriche is of use for its oxygenating powers, its appear-
ance, and for the value of its young leaves as fish food. Among
those suitable for outdoors are, C. autumnalis with tiny
dark green foliage which remains active during the winter
months, and C. verna, the Water Starwort, which is most
hardy, its dense tufts of light green foliage rising to the surface
during the summer. In some places, it is inclined to spread
rapidly so that steps should be taken to see that it does not
become too invasive.
Cardamine rotundifolia is of prostrate habit, having deep
green, rounded leaves and white flowers. It is known as the
American Watercress being suitable for ponds and pools.
Ceratophyllum demersum has fragile branching stems with
dense whorls of spiny foliage. It is capable of growing in
quite deep water. The little flowers are often followed by
small horned fruit.
Chara is the name of a family of'plants found in many parts
of the world, often in stagnant water. Since they make much
rapid growth, they must be regularly thinned and decayed por-
tions removed. If left, they become smelly and offensive.
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