Back when I first got my first fish tank, I put some gravel and a few fish and called it an aquarium.

Even though it had live fish in it, something was missing - the environment seemed dead and sterile.

What I eventually figured out is that no fish tank is complete without freshwater aquarium plants (or marine, if that's your setup, but we're focusing on fresh water here).

Not only will it make your setup look better, it also provides a better habitat for the fish.

Plants can also help obscure the filters, hoses, cords, and heaters in the back of your aquarium. Tall plants like Java Fern, Amazon Sword Plant, and Corkscrew Vallisneria are great choices for the back of your aquarium.

Your plants will also help keep algae growth to a minimum since they compete for many of the same nutrients in your tank.

One thing you do need to be aware of is the light requirements for your plants. No, you don't need to go stick your aquarium out in the sun, but you do need to get the right kind of lights in your hood. Just ask the specialist at the store what kind of light they require as they'll be better able to tell you than me trying to go over each one individually here.

More Aquarium Plants to consider (if you can't remember the name of the one you want, just take in a picture - some of them go by their scientific name and are really tough to say):

Madagascar Lace
Ludwigia
Melon Sword
Java Moss
Micro Sword
Dwarf Baby Tears
Moss Balls
Bolbitis Heudelotii
Anubias Barteri
Ocorus Calamus
Aponogeton Distachyos
Bacopa Monnieri
Echinodorus Cordifolius
Damasonium Californicum