Take a close look inside our freshwater aquariums and you’ll see more than fish – there are beautiful underwater gardens too! These vibrant plant communities remove waste from the water, generate oxygen, and give the animals places to hide so they feel safe. Like most gardens, ours take lots of care. We use special substrates to promote root and leaf growth, add CO2 as a carbon source for plants, and even full spectrum lighting to maximize photosynthesis. | New York Aquarium