Pros and Cons of Submerged Aquatic Plants

Pros and Cons of Submerged Aquatic / Aquarium Plants:

Submerged aquatic plants have their roots buried in aquarium substrate or fixed to the water bottom & most of their vegetation is growing inside water, though some part of these plants may grow outside water. Submerged aquatic plants are also known as immersed aquatic plants. Check out advantages & disadvantages of immersed aquatic plants:

Also, Check out Pros & Cons of Emersed Aquarium Plants

Advantages of Submerged Aquatic Plants:

1. Live plants add beauty to fish tanks. Many submerged aquatic plants grow on their own & have low requirements.
2. Beginners plants are those plants that have very low requirements & do not need high maintenance. Many submerged aquarium plants are recommended for beginners.
3. Many people don’t have time to do regular water checkups so they can add submerged plants because many of them can survive in a long range of temperature, pH & water hardness.
4. Plants such as Anubias can be used to hide unattractive portions of your aquarium, because they can be planted in a variety of ways in fish tanks.
5. Live plants can add oxygen to water in the presence of tank lights. In the presence of lights, plants can do photosynthesis which involves absorbing carbon dioxide & releasing oxygen. If there is a high amount of oxygen in water then it is beneficial for the health of fish. Fish thrive well in oxygen rich places in aquariums.
6. Submerged plants can be used for decoration. Many aquarists enhance the look of rocks, decorations, structures, driftwood & other objects placed in the aquarium by growing plants on them. Carpeting plants attach its roots to the objects they are growing, & enhance the look of decoration with its natural appearance.
7. Aquarium fish, fries & shrimps eat plants. Vegetation is a very good food for fish which keeps fish healthy by providing a natural appetite.
8. Fish can use the shelter offered by submerged aquatic plants. Stressed or newly purchased fish can hide in plants which relieve their stress. Fish can use plants to hide from aggressive species. Fries can hide from adult fish that can eat them. Fish can rest on the plant leaves.
9. Plants encourage fish to breed. They offer a natural appearance to your fish tank & mimic the wild habitat of fish which can help them in spawning. Fish can hide eggs in plants from predators. Certain fish species deposit eggs on plant leaves.
10. Immersed aquarium plant act as a filter. They absorb ammonia released from fish waste, as well as eliminate remaining food, decaying objects, & at times they can save aquarium water from heavy metals.
11. Plants allow beneficial bacteria to cultivate on its large surface. Good bacteria breaks down ammonia into nitrites & further into nitrates. Nitrates are less toxic than nitrites, & nitrites are less dangerous than ammonia. However, if there are heaps of nitrates in the aquarium then still it is very dangerous for the fish. If you have an abundance of plants in aquarium then there is no need to change water frequently for removing nitrates from water because wastes act as fertilizers for live plants. Plants have the capability of absorbing toxic chemicals from water which reduces number of water changes. Still, partial water change is required for adding fresh minerals in aquariums because fish & plants need them.
12. Submerged aquatic plants can stop the growth of algae. Certain species are best algae repellents, & reduces its number tremendously. Plants have the ability to balance the ecosystem of aquariums which prevents algae from appearing. They absorb lots of nutrition that are responsible for growing algae.
13. Immersed plants like Anubias can assist in circulating the oxygenation process.
14. Immersed plants with broad leaves can be used for laying eggs.
15. Immersed aquatic plants like Anubias Nana improve the chemical filtration in water.
16. Anubias can create shaded areas in the fish tank to assist certain species that like to stay in the dark.
17. Live plants & fish can help each other in finding food & staying healthy. Fish eat plants & plants absorb toxic chemicals released from fish food. In the presence of nutrients released from fish waste, carbon dioxide released by fish & tank lights, plants can release oxygen that is absorbed by the fish.
18. Certain immersed plants offer a bushy look so it is suggested to grow them from the mid to background of the aquarium because it will look attractive even when the plant spreads. However, you can always prune plants to keep their size in control.
19. Rotala Rotundifolia is an immersed plant offering beautiful long size beautiful leaves & they will have lots of surface area for biofilm, which is an ideal food for fries.
20. Immersed plant leaves can help in breaking up anaerobic pockets in the substrate.
21. Carpet plants spread a stunning carpet on aquarium gravels & offer shelter for bottom dwelling fish. Fish feed on this plant & it helps in saving fish from water currents.

Read: Pros & cons of floating-leaved plants

Disadvantages of Submerged Aquatic Plants:

1. Certain species of fish will eat your full plant
2. Messy fish dig substrate & can uproot your aquatic plants
3. Plants can reduce filter efficiency by trapping fish waste, leftover food & debris in its roots.
4. Plants will drop dead leaves & it will be trapped by mechanical filter media, & will reduce filter efficiency. Your filter will need more maintenance in a planted aquarium.
5. Plants only look beautiful if they are in shape so they need frequent pruning
6. Certain plants need very high tank lights which can cause algae spike
7. Tank lights must reach the leaves & if there is something in between then your plants will not be able to carry out photosynthesis which is a big problem. Black beard algae grow on the full plants & it stops light from reaching the leaves. Also, if you keep floating plants then it will stop light from reaching the floor. If plants are growing taller, then the top part will stop light from reaching the bottom & hence it needs to be chopped off. Also, you need to keep plants in clean water to allow water to reach the floor.
8. Plants need CO2 and fertilizers which can pollute water.
9. High levels of nitrates can be dangerous for certain immersed plants.
10. Plants need to be tied to structures, driftwood or buried in substrate. You may find them floating in the aquarium if you can't fix them well.
11. Heavily planted aquarium does not provide free space for swimming & look like a mess.
12. Every immersed plant has its own temperature, pH & water hardness which might not meet the requirements of other plants or fish in the aquarium.
13. It is difficult to siphon gravels in a heavily planted aquarium.

Read: Pros & cons of floating plants

Conclusion:

The benefits of submerged aquatic plants surpass its cons. For certain fish, plants are as important as food. So, keep them in aquariums & make sure you do an internet research to find the plants that suit your fish & aquarium conditions. Thank you.