The best kindergarten in the aquarium -

In aquarists - and experienced, and newcomers - a geteranter, the rosaceous causes only tender feelings. It's no secret that most beautiful aquarium plants are rather capricious: the ground is not suitable, then the water is not that soft, then it's almost impossible to plant them. Of course, the geteranter also has its own preferences, which should be known and taken into account, but it does not require any special conditions, it does not deliver any trouble, the aquarium decorates and landscapes perfectly, the fish provide shelter, and their owners, thanks to their unpretentiousness, leave enough time for admiring their pets . It is not for nothing that aquarium fans actively and passionately recommend this plant to beginners.

Appearance and origin

The small-leaved herterarter (Heteranthera zosterifolia in Latin) came to our aquariums from the Bolivian and Brazilian swamps. At home, she leads a predominantly underwater lifestyle; In our own aquaria tends to grow to the surface - and when it reaches its goal, the upper leaves grow brighter, and almost always begins flowering. The main characteristic of the heteroner is its long-tailability: under natural conditions (and on the scale of the aquarium) it can grow up to half a meter. Its leaves are soft green, can reach a length of eight centimeters. At the same time they are quite wide - plates of 6 cm are not a wonder. What is most pleasing to aquarists is the abundant lining: bare stems that do not adorn the pond are rare (under certain conditions). What else they are pleased with is a small-leaved goatheran, so this is a uniform growth. She does not have a period of sleep, does not need rest. In all seasons, the plant is equally lush and increasing in size.

Suitable aquarium

The main point about which one should not forget: a leafy herterratera is a tropical plant. Accordingly, the water is needed year-round warm. Suitable conditions for it can be considered tropical "pools", where the temperature is constantly maintained at least 22 degrees Celsius. Better yet, it does not fall below 22-24 degrees. Even if the indicator is kept at +20, the chelatorant is pristine enough to feel comfortable, although it starts to grow a bit slower. But this is the bottom mark: if the water is cooler, the plant starts to discard the leaves, the stems turn black, and it dies.

Water Heteranthera zosterifolia prefers soft; However, for most aquarium inhabitants this is recommended. Hard water causes dropping of leaves, as a result of which only the tops survive. A slightly acidic environment is more easily perceived, but neutral is also quite tolerated. The main thing is not to allow alkalization. With respect to the soil, the plant is quite liberal, since the main food gets directly from the water through the leaves. In top dressing of the getererter, it also does not need any needles, as in the regular partial replacement of water. Here it will be necessary to focus on the needs of other, more capricious, aquarium plants.

The best is a small-leaved hertherant in shallow water bodies. Seeking to reach the surface, at a wall height of more than a third of a meter, it begins to lose the lower foliage and becomes less aesthetic. But if the depth is 20 centimeters, the plant remains very fluffy and decorative.

Light and its influence on the appearance of plants

Illumination - this is what is especially demanding for the goleter. The content, simple in other aspects, is rather meticulous in this. If the water area of the "pool" is wide, you will have to create a side illumination. If the room as a whole is not light enough, there will be a need for top lighting, designed to increase the duration of the day. Otherwise, the plant will behave like in hard water: stop in growth, lose leaves (especially the lower ones) and eventually die.

How to save a dying aquarium plantation

If, because of the hardness of the water, lack of light and sudden cooling of the hetereraster, the sharp-witted begins to wilt, most of the leaves are opal, and the trunks have darkened, it will be necessary to grow the plantings anew. For this, the tops are plucked and fall into the old water from the aquarium, where a little peat is poured. You can immediately land them in the ground under such water. The plantation will revive fabulously quickly.