Which Plants To Use in Your Saltwater Aquarium

Live plants help your tank maintain suitable oxygen levels while combating unwanted algae growth and lowering toxins. Here are a few plants you can use in your saltwater aquarium to help you and your saltwater fish reap the benefits of hydrophytes.

Dragon’s Tongue

Dragon’s tongue is an ornamental macroalgae known for its vibrant color and spindly tendrils that can either be attached to the rocks in your aquarium or free floating. It’s a beautiful addition to any tank and can help your aquarium combat spikes in ammonia, nitrate, and toxic heavy metals. Typically, this plant thrives in water with strong currents and grows rather slowly, but it is a great plant for beginners and can even provide your fish with supplemental nutrients. If you remember to watch out for excessive snackers and provide this plant with supplementary iron, you’ll have a plant you can rely on to help keep your water regulated.

Mermaid’s Fan

Mermaid’s fan is also a macroalgae that is as beautiful as it is popular, and it’s a good choice for those looking for ornamental algae that your fish won’t eat. However, this plant isn’t necessarily for beginners, as it requires a lot of calcium to thrive and can easily be outcompeted by other plants. But once this plant is settled, it becomes much easier to take care of, and it will even send out lateral runners to pop out new plants. This plant does best in fine, sandy substrate and is best suited for display tanks.

Sea Grapes

Sea grapes get their name from the spherical growths on their branches and are a great plant for beginners. This plant is best suited for tanks with plenty of hungry fish, as it is fast-growing and will need enough mouths to prevent it from overrunning the tank. The good news is this plant is fantastic at filtering nitrates and phosphates from your tank, but it does need 24 hours of light to avoid disintegration. This is part of the reason why it grows best in a sump tank, as they typically have constant light and slow currents.

Red Mangrove

Red mangroves are incredibly easy to grow due to their hardy root system, which does well in sand, gravel, and even mud. Despite their slow growth, their leaves will need to grow above the water line of your tank and can grow six to eight feet tall in an aquarium. Red mangroves are perfect for filtering out waste, but they may need some extra iron and magnesium to grow strong and healthy. So, if you’re looking for a plant that’s easy to grow and will add height to your tank, this plant is the way to go!

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the plants you can use in your saltwater aquarium. In truth, there are many more plants to choose from—all with different care levels and needs. But no matter which plant you choose, they all need the perfect tank. Don’t worry; Fish Tanks Direct has you covered. From curved aquariums to sump tanks, we have everything you need to keep your tank beautiful and your fish and saltwater plants healthy.