How to Set Up a Low Tech Planted Tank

Low-tech planted aquariums typically refrain from injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) into the water. In this way, the expensive and complicated equipment associated with CO2 use is not required. The substrate in low tech aquariums must be nutrient-rich and the correct soil is an important contributing factor toward success with these systems. Low-tech planted aquariums use subdued light and water changes are irregular, so as not to upset the delicate balance within the system. The fish load in these aquariums should be kept low to reduce metabolic waste build-up.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • 3 lbs. of top soil per square foot of aquarium floor
  • 5-gallon plastic container
  • Plastic sheet
  • 1/4 lbs. of clay per square foot of aquarium floor
  • 1/2 cup of potash
  • 1/2 cup of dolomite
  • 3 to 4 pieces of driftwood
  • Chlorine remover
  • Canister filter
  • Aquarium heater
  • Long-handled aquarium tongs
  • Large number of assorted aquatic plants
  • Aquarium canopy with fluorescent tube, 1.5 Watts per gallon
  • Algae eating fish and snails
  • Group of small schooling fish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Add 3 lbs. of topsoil into a 5-gallon plastic container and pour in sufficient water to cover just the soil. This amount of top soil is required for each square foot of aquarium bottom.

    • 2

      Mix the soil thoroughly in the water.

    • 3

      Allow the soil to stand for 48 hours and carefully pour off the water.

    • 4

      Pour fresh water into the container and leave it for an additional 48 hours.

    • 5

      Pour off the water and tip the moist soil onto a plastic sheet. Spread the soil out as thinly as possible. Ensure that the soil is exposed to full sunlight and leave it to dry for at least two days.

    • 6

      Place the dry soil into the 5-gallon bucket and pour in water once again.

    • 7

      Repeat steps 3 through to 6 another three times. These steps ensure that microbes have sufficient time to mineralize the nutrients in the soil and to leach the soil of any fertilizers.

    • 8

      Mix a 1/4 lb. of clay and a 1/2 cup of both dolomite and potash into the moist soil.

    • 9

      Place the soil mixture onto the base of the aquarium to a depth of 1.5 inches.

    • 10

      Add a 1-inch layer of aquarium gravel on top of the soil mixture.

    • 11

      Place three or four pieces of driftwood into the aquarium.

    • 12

      Fill the aquarium with water carefully and add 5 fl oz. chlorine remover for every 60-gallons of water.

    • 13

      Hook up a canister filter to the aquarium and add an aquarium heater.

    • 14

      Create numerous depressions in the substrate using a pair of long-handled aquarium tongs.

    • 15

      Plant the aquatic vegetation using the long handled tongs. Add sufficient plants to the aquarium so that only 10 to 15 percent of the aquarium floor can be seen when viewed from above.

    • 16

      Place a fluorescent tube into the aquarium canopy. Choose a tube based on 1.5 Watts for every gallon of water.

    • 17

      Add 1 fl oz. of bottled aquarium bacteria to cycle the system. These products are available from your aquarium dealer.

    • 18

      Add two small Siamese algae eaters or four dwarf sucking catfish to the aquarium. Add one Malaysian trumpet snail to aerate the top layer of soil and one zebra nerite snail to keep any green beard algae in check.

    • 19

      Wait two weeks for the aquarium to stabilize then add a school of neon tetras or similar small, schooling fish species to the aquarium.