How to Start a Planted Aquarium

Planted aquariums offer added dimensions to keeping fish, presenting enthusiasts with the challenge of creating a perfectly balanced ecosystem within the fish tank. Plants also provide numerous benefits to the aquarium, consuming CO2 from the water and producing oxygen. Planted aquariums vary greatly in technical difficulty depending on what you would like to grow, but there are some basic considerations to keep in mind before you get started.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium substrate
  • Aquatic plants
  • Plant light
  • CO2 (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Substrate

    • 1

      Purchase a quality substrate meant for planted aquariums (which can be placed in the tank without additives), or select a gravel of your choosing and a box of laterite. Laterite is generally available at aquarium supply stores or in the gardening section of a home improvement store.

    • 2

      Mix a 1/8-inch thick layer of laterite with a 1-inch layer of damp gravel in the bottom of the aquarium. Top this layer of laterite and gravel with an additional inch of clean, laterite-free gravel, being careful to cover all of the exposed laterite.

    • 3

      Dampen the substrate thoroughly with a mist bottle, or simply add just enough water to cover the gravel.

    Lighting and CO2

    • 4

      Decide whether or not you would like to add CO2 to your planted aquarium. CO2 can be provided in the form of high-pressure CO2 canisters and regulators, which are expensive, or homemade DIY CO2 yeast bottles, which are cheap but not nearly as effective. The decision to add CO2 should be thoroughly researched before you begin the tank, as it will determine what types of plants you can grow, and how much lighting to provide.

    • 5

      Select a light fixture that will output enough wattage to grow your plants. High-light stem plants will require between 3 to 4 watts per gallon, and low-end plants can be grown with as little as 1 watt per gallon.

    • 6

      Choose light bulbs in a 5000k-to-6700k range, which is best for plant growth.

    Setting Up

    • 7

      Arrange the tank's hardscape first; the hardscape includes any rocks, driftwood or other decorations you would like in your planted aquarium.

    • 8

      Plant the tank one plant at a time, carefully pushing the roots into the substrate. Use tweezers for very small or delicate varieties, and make sure that enough of the plant is buried to keep it from floating up.

    • 9

      Fill the tank slowly with water once everything is in place, and turn on your lights, filters, heaters and CO2 (if applicable).

    • 10

      Monitor the growth of your plants carefully and add supplemental aquarium plant fertilizer periodically for optimum health.