Easy Planted Tank
Planted tanks do not have to be as much trouble as many people make them out to be. The above tank is my current 15 gallon planted. It wasn't prohibitively expensive, but is a nice little planted tank for small fish.
What you will need:
- Tank - a tank with a length of 20, 24, 36 or 48 inches is best, with a shorter height. Bulbs come in standard sizes very close to those lengths, and the shorter the tank, the less light you need.
- Lighting - at least 2 tubes that run the entire length of the tank, for deeper tanks more are needed.
- Decor - Driftwood looks very good in planted tanks, as do several kinds of rocks. Avoid rocks with pH changing abilities.
- Substrate - smaller gravel in a natural color is best. Supplement with a clay gravel additive, such as Laterite.
- Plants - more on this later.
- Heater - submersible is best.
- Filter - low surface agitation is a must.
Lighting is very important to this tank. in short tanks 2 watts per gallon is plenty of light, but in taller tanks, 3 would probably be better to get good plant growth. Twin Tube Strip lights work well, but local home Improvement stores carry much the same things if you wish to create your own hood.
First set up the tank on its stand, making sure it is level. Then rinse the gravel well. Especially wash the gravel supplement, following its directions. Set up the gravel, normally the first inch has additive mixed in, whereas the next 2 inches are just gravel. Slope it up towards the back, and if you want terraces set them up with driftwood or rocks.
Put all the other decorations in as you want them then fill the tank half way with dechlorinated lukewarm tap water. Now you put the plants in. Bunch plants look better in groups, and plants such as swords look better as singular plants. Planting is easier if you make out a plan of some sort before you start.
Above is an example of a plan.
Once plants are placed, finish filling the tank. Plug in the filter and heater, place your choice of lighting on the top, and that's it.
Before you add fish, cycle as you would any other tank. Cycling takes noticeably less time with plants in the tank, and you may be able to get away with a few fish very quickly.
References:
- http://www.thekrib.com -- Everything Planted Aquarium
- http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/ -- Aquatic Gardener's Association
- http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/ -- Aquatic Gardner's Aquascaping Contest
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