How to Set Up a Freshwater Aquarium With Plants

Setting up a freshwater aquarium is a rewarding experience when done correctly. To give your aquarium a more naturalistic look, you can even set it up to include freshwater plants, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some sink and some float. Some aquarium plants are readily eaten by your tank's fish, while others provide a reliable shelter. Although there is a wide selection of plants, setting up a freshwater aquarium and housing them is a fairly simple task.

Things You'll Need

  • Tank
  • Gravel or sand
  • Filter of appropriate size in accordance with tank size
  • Fluorescent light strip and hood
  • Twisting plant anchors (optional, for use with sinking plants)
  • Dechlorinator
  • Aquarium heater
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your aquarium in an area where it will get moderate, indirect sunlight. It's important to remember that too much sunlight may result in severe algae blooms, which are extremely unattractive.

    • 2

      Rinse the gravel or sand under a faucet to remove any excess dust or dirt.

    • 3

      Layer the bottom of the tank with about an inch and a half of gravel or sand.

    • 4

      Fill the tank with fresh water, filling it until it is about 1 inch from the top.

    • 5

      Place the filter on the tank. There are several different types of filters to choose from, with the most popular being the hanging filter, which hangs on the side and uses a tube to suck up water, expelling it through a filter medium and back into the tank via a spillway. Consult your filter's operating manual for installation instructions specific to your model.

    • 6

      Prime the filter by filling it with water and plug it into a power outlet. The filter should begin circulating the tank's water.

    • 7

      Add the correct amount of dechlorinator, which is a liquid designed to alleviate chlorine in tap water. Depending on the brand of dechlorinator, the amount to add may be different, but it typically corresponds to the amount of water in the tank (the tank's size) and is usually about a drop per gallon. Consult the dechlorinator's packaging for the exact dosage.

    • 8

      Place the water heater in the tank and set it to about 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit after plugging it into a nearby power outlet.

    • 9

      Let the tank cycle for about 24 hours, leaving the filter plugged in.

    • 10

      Twist the twisting plant weights, which look like twisty ties, around the bottom of the plants. This is only necessary if it is a plant meant to stay at the bottom, as opposed to a plant like water sprite, which floats near the surface.

    • 11

      Bury the bottom of the plants in the gravel or sand. Over time, the roots will creep through the crevices in the substrate.

    • 12

      Place the hood, which should include the fluorescent light strip, over the top of the tank. Add fish and other decor.