If you’ve dabbled in fishkeeping for a while, you’re definitely familiar with Anubias. It is one of the most well-liked plants and is frequently employed in both basic and sophisticated aquarium designs. Some people adore this plant for its deep green hue, while others are astounded by how little care it needs to survive.
Anubias is a unique aquarium plant because of its extreme hardiness and ability to grow out of water. Because they thrive a little bit better when partially out of the water, some plant keepers even cultivate anubias plants that way, instead of growing them fully submerged. This post will provide a straightforward method for creating a small anubias plant farm that grows it emersed and shows how little these species require. With our provided growth techniques, you will have great success in growing anubias plant emersed, and those plants could be sold for profit in your neighborhood, or used in new or existing aquariums.
Contents
What is Emersed and Submerged Plant Growth?
Anubias Plant Water Parameters
How to Make a Basic Anubias Plant Farm
What is Emersed and Submerged Plant Growth?
Some aquatic plants have the ability to grow out of the water (emersed growth), while others can only grow while being fully in aquarium water (submerged growth). Throughout hundreds of years, certain plants developed the ability to grow out of the water, because of their natural surroundings and living conditions. These plants are more hardy and versatile, compared to those, that can only grow submerged. Submerged plants are usually way less durable even in aquariums, and need very specific conditions to thrive. Submerged plants show nutrient deficiency signs way more, and are harder to keep alive, although there can be a lot of reasons why aquarium plants are dying besides nutrient deficiency. On the other hand, plants like anubias, which have the ability to grow emersed and submerged, can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.Of course, there are way more plants like anubias, that can deal with their environment changing. Here are the following plants, that have the ability to grow emersed:
- Bucephalandra
- Java Fern
- Bacopa Caroliniana
- Ludwigia Arcuata
- Hydrocotyle Tripatita
Slow-growing plants with emersed growth comparable to anubias are the java fern and bucephalandra. The hydrocotyle tripatita, on the other hand, grows quickly and even exhibits faster growth when it is allowed to develop outside of water.
Anubias Plant Water Parameters
Keeping anubias is very easy since it can tolerate a wide range of different water conditions. A lot of fishkeeping shops often recommend this plant to beginners, because it is very hard to do any significant harm to this plant. If you want the most out of anubias, you need to know the best conditions, that this plant thrives:
- Water temperature: 22–29 °C (72–84 °F)
- pH:5 – 8.0
- Water hardness: 50 – 150 ppm
- Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizer
- Need for CO2: Low
- Lightning: Low to medium
- Maximum size:5 in / 16.5 cm
- Growth rate: Slow
- Care Level: Easy
This plant thrives in darker environments and does not require intense lighting, although medium light would do no harm. These species are able to cling to driftwood, rocks, and other ornaments, which is why it is almost used in every scape since you can easily find a place for this plant. If done correctly, anubias can also be planted into the substrate (the plant’s rhizome cannot be buried, because it would rot in the substrate). Make sure your substrate is nutrient-rich if you decide to grow anubias in it because your plant will begin drawing nutrients from the soil through its roots. If the plant is tied to a piece of decor, it primarily obtains all the nutrients it requires from the leaves, so liquid fertilizer is needed.
How to Make a Basic Anubias Plant Farm
Making this anubias farm will be very easy, and it will demonstrate, how resilient this plant is. You will need only two main components to make this setup work: a plastic container, and a nutrient-rich substrate. Sunlight will be used as lightning for this plant.
Plastic Container
To store your anubias plants, you need first need a plastic container. You must purchase a container that is as transparent as possible because sunlight will be the primary source of light for your anubias plants. Your anubias plants may experience troubles if the container is not transparent or is any other color besides clear. Before making a purchase, you should also confirm that the container has a tightly fitting cover. Because anubias plants need a moist atmosphere to flourish, a poor lid will result in air holes, which will alter the perfect climate.
Before selecting the appropriate size, bear in mind that the substrate will require at least 2–3 inches (5-6 cm) of space, and plants will also want some room to grow. For instance, you will need a plastic container that is at least 4 inches (10 cm) in length, height, and width if you have very small anubias plants, such as anubias nana petite. Multiple anubias plants could be placed there, and they would have plenty of area to thrive.
Nutrient-rich Substrate
Since practically any nutrient-rich substrate would do the job in this setting, this step is fairly simple. If you would like, you may easily utilize aquarium soil (which is more expensive but more pleasant to look at) or get some basic gardening plant soil for garden plants. Everything relies on your budget, just make sure that the substrate has nutrients in it.
Building Process
Finally, it is time to build your very first anubias farm. Firstly, get your plastic container, and add your chosen substrate, until there are at least 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm) of your substrate in the plastic container. Secondly, puncture 4 holes in your container lid, two on one side, and two on the other. This is necessary, because you need small holes for ventilation. Lastly, poor water is suitable for anubias (temperature is between 22–29 °C (72–84 °F)) into the tank and stops when it reaches the top of the substrate. Now you are ready for planting.
How to Plant Anubias?
This stage is extremely easy, all you need to do is place your anubias plants into the substrate, being careful to just plant the roots and not the plant’s rhizome. Double-check to make sure that just the roots are buried deep into the substrate. Burying the rhizome part of the plant causes the anubias to slowly die. After finishing, spray your plants with water, seal the container, and set your newly assembled anubias plant farm near a window.
Weekly Maintenance
In terms of maintenance, there might be some algae forming on the side of the lids in the coming weeks or months. Similar to aquariums, just wipe off the algae to make your tank clean. Also, don’t forget to spray some water on your plants at least 1-2 times a week.
Conclusion
To summarise, anubias can be grown emersed or submerged. This fairly simple setup highlights how well this plant can adapt. Your new anubias plant pieces can easily be then used in new aquariums, or even sold for profit. Your plants, your choice!
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