Egeria Densa

Egeria Densa, commonly known as Anacharis or Elodea, is a popular and versatile aquatic plant often chosen by aquarists for its ease of care and numerous benefits to a freshwater aquarium.

1. Tank Setup:

• Tank Size: Egeria Densa can thrive in aquariums of various sizes, but it's best suited for tanks with a capacity of 10 gallons or more.

2. Substrate:

• While Egeria Densa can be planted in the substrate, it's often left floating in the water column. If you choose to plant it, use a fine gravel or sand substrate.

3. Lighting:

• Egeria Densa is adaptable to a range of lighting conditions but prefers moderate to high light. It can grow in low light but may become leggy and less dense.
• Utilize full-spectrum LED or fluorescent aquarium lights.

4. Water Parameters:

• Temperature: Maintain a temperature range between 68°F to 82°F (20°C to 28°C). It's highly adaptable to different temperature conditions.
• pH Level: Egeria Densa can thrive in a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5.
• Water Hardness: It is relatively adaptable to various water hardness levels.

5. Water Quality:

• A filter is recommended to ensure good water circulation and filtration. Egeria Densa benefits from the added oxygenation a filter provides.
• Regular water changes (approximately 10-20% every week) help maintain water quality and remove accumulated pollutants.

6. Plant Placement:

• Egeria Densa can be planted in the substrate or left floating in the water column. When planted, bury the roots in the substrate and leave the stem and leaves above it.
• If allowed to float, it will form a dense canopy near the surface.

7. Fertilization:

• Egeria Densa is a fast grower and can extract nutrients from the water. However, if your aquarium has low nutrient levels, you can use a liquid fertilizer for aquarium plants.
• Ensure there is a balance between lighting, nutrients, and carbon dioxide to prevent algae overgrowth.

8. Pruning and Maintenance:

• Regularly trim the tops of Egeria Densa to control its growth and maintain the desired appearance.
• Remove any dead or decaying leaves to prevent them from affecting water quality.

9. Propagation:

• Egeria Densa propagates easily. Simply cut healthy stems and replant them in the substrate or allow them to float. New roots will form, and the plant will continue to grow.

10. Benefits: - This plant is excellent for water quality as it absorbs nitrates and provides oxygen through photosynthesis. - It can help combat algae growth by outcompeting algae for nutrients and blocking excess light.