What are oxygenating plants? Oxygenating plants (also referred
to as oxygenators) in ponds and water gardens are best described
as underwater plants. They grow with some or all of their
foliage (leaves) below the water surface. How do plants make
oxygen? In simple terms - Plants need carbon dioxide, water and
sunlight in order to photosynthesise. Carbon dioxide + Water
PhotosynthesisGlucose + Oxygen Do I need oxygenating plants for
my fish? Oxygenating plants do provide some oxygen in the
daylight when they photosynthesize, but at night this process is
reversed and they consume some of the oxygen as they respire.
However the benefit of oxygenating plants in producing oxygen
for fish tends to be over exaggerated. The small amount of
oxygen that they produce is insignificant compared to that
created through the splashing or movement of water. Oxygenating
plants help condition the water, by absorbing nutrients such as
ammonia, nitrates and nitrites as well as other minerals and
salts. If these are allowed to bui