Photosynthesis and Respiration in Your Aquatic Plants

Photosynthesis and respiration are two processes which occur in plants which allow them to make their good and break it down.
Both oxygen and carbon dioxide are produced as by-products of these two processes at different stages of the light and dark cycle.
Photosynthesis and respiration are polar opposites of one another, with respiration occurring after photosynthesis when the lights are out.
As both of these processes are essential to the health of your plant, if you can mimic the amount of light and darkness that would normally be experienced by the plants in your aquarium, you should have more success with them.
Light is the most important aspect where photosynthesis is concerned and in the case of respiration, darkness is needed to allow your plants time to break down the food substances it has produced.
During the time that your plants are exposed to light, carbon dioxide is absorbed by the plant and the by-product of oxygen is expelled.
These gases will mainly enter the plant through the leaves.
The combination of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules chemically combine with the chlorophyll in the plant and simple sugars are produced by this process.
The reason why light is essential to this process, is that the light serves as the trigger to activate the chlorophyll, resulting in photosynthesis.
On the other hand, respiration is the opposite of this process, the plants will break down food using oxygen and energy is released in the form of heat.
Carbon dioxide is also produced as a by-product and is expelled with the heat energy.
Photosynthesis is responsible for all life on the planet, without it, there would be no transfer of energy along the food chain.
During this process, your plants will absorb more nutrients from the substrate compared to dark periods of respiration.
Depending on the location of where individual plant species have evolved on the planet, a longer light or darkness period will be preferred.
This is where you will find that research into the species of plants you wish to keep will pay off, as you will be better equipped to cater for them.
The key to success with your aquarium is the research you put in initially and the understanding that you develop from this with experience.
The more you know about the needs of your aquarium's inhabitants, the better you can meet their needs and ensure that your tank remains vibrant and healthy.