Magical mists

摘要

Our plant expert Peter Hiscock, shows you how to add an extra dimension to your aquarium with a mist maker. A good way to add an extra dimension to a planted tank is to grow some plants above the water's surface. Many aquarium plants grow above the water's surface in nature and most are in fact not "true" aquatic plants anyway. The problem with growing plants above the surface in aquaria is that the heat produced by the lights creates a hot, dry area where most plants simply wither and die. Althoughsome plants do produce leaves suited to life above water, these leaves are still not as effective at holding water to prevent drying as those of terrestrial plants. In some aquaria it may be possible to have an open hood, allowing good ventilation and removing the hot, dry air. Light units can then be suspended at least 4ocm above the water's surface, allowing plenty of room to grow plants above the water. In aquaria where this is not possible, the ideal solution is to create an artificially humid environment and one of the best ways to do this is to purchase a mist generator. These devices are gaining popularity and are now easily available and often sold for water features or reptile aquaria. The visual effect of a mist generator is also quite magical and creates an eerie swamp feel to the aquarium. Plants such as Anubias, Java Moss, Hydrocotyle sp., Ophiopogon sp., and also many pond marginals make ideal above water plants for the aquarium.