guide to setting up a planted tank
guide to setting up a planted tank
Hey guys, I'm switching my 60litre Fluval to live plants, but I'm totally in the dark about how it all works. I've got black gravel now, but I'm keen on changing to sand. I'm wondering, do I need any special soil for the plants to thrive? I've heard some plants just attach to rocks, so I'm a bit lost. Do I need to plant them in a certain way or can I just drop them in and let nature take its course? A simple rundown of the basics would be a huge help, cheers!
Re: guide to setting up a planted tank
There are three main types of plants you'll be working with in your aquarium: those that grow in the substrate, those that attach to decor, and those that float on the surface.
The plants that attach to decor include those with rhizomes that must be kept above the substrate, like Java fern and anubias. To avoid burying the rhizome, it's best to tie these plants to rocks or driftwood. Mosses also fall into this category, as they don't have roots and tend to grow slowly, requiring minimal fertilization. You might consider adding a small dose of liquid fertilizer, but that's about it. Other plants in this category include bucephalandra and Bolbitis.
Floating plants are another option, ranging from tiny duckweed to larger plants like water sprite. Keep in mind that with a 60-liter tank, water sprite might be a bit too big. Floating plants serve two purposes: they provide shelter for your fish from bright light and potential predators, and they absorb a lot of ammonia from the water.
When it comes to plants rooted in the substrate, you've got a range of options, from low-light plants like cryptocorynes and sword plants to more delicate, high-light plants. As a beginner, I'd recommend starting with the easier ones. Some plants are leaf feeders and require liquid fertilizer, while others are root feeders and need tablet fertilizer inserted into the substrate near their roots.
Aquascaping has become a popular aspect of planted tanks, with plants being treated like an art form. However, you don't need to worry about creating a masterpiece – your fish will be just as happy with a tank full of plants that don't necessarily look like a work of art. I'm not exactly skilled at aquascaping myself; I just stick to placing smaller plants in the front and taller ones in the back. If you're interested in learning more about layouts, I'm sure other members would be happy to help.
For research purposes, I find this website to be incredibly useful. You can search for plants by difficulty level, which I find particularly helpful. They also have photos of tanks featuring each plant, so you can see what they look like when they're fully grown and thriving.
The plants that attach to decor include those with rhizomes that must be kept above the substrate, like Java fern and anubias. To avoid burying the rhizome, it's best to tie these plants to rocks or driftwood. Mosses also fall into this category, as they don't have roots and tend to grow slowly, requiring minimal fertilization. You might consider adding a small dose of liquid fertilizer, but that's about it. Other plants in this category include bucephalandra and Bolbitis.
Floating plants are another option, ranging from tiny duckweed to larger plants like water sprite. Keep in mind that with a 60-liter tank, water sprite might be a bit too big. Floating plants serve two purposes: they provide shelter for your fish from bright light and potential predators, and they absorb a lot of ammonia from the water.
When it comes to plants rooted in the substrate, you've got a range of options, from low-light plants like cryptocorynes and sword plants to more delicate, high-light plants. As a beginner, I'd recommend starting with the easier ones. Some plants are leaf feeders and require liquid fertilizer, while others are root feeders and need tablet fertilizer inserted into the substrate near their roots.
Aquascaping has become a popular aspect of planted tanks, with plants being treated like an art form. However, you don't need to worry about creating a masterpiece – your fish will be just as happy with a tank full of plants that don't necessarily look like a work of art. I'm not exactly skilled at aquascaping myself; I just stick to placing smaller plants in the front and taller ones in the back. If you're interested in learning more about layouts, I'm sure other members would be happy to help.
For research purposes, I find this website to be incredibly useful. You can search for plants by difficulty level, which I find particularly helpful. They also have photos of tanks featuring each plant, so you can see what they look like when they're fully grown and thriving.
Re: guide to setting up a planted tank
I've got live plants in my tank, but to be honest, keeping them alive isn't exactly my forte. I don't go for the super 'scaped look - I'm more about creating a jungle vibe, and like @sSjey mentioned, I keep the shorter plants up front. My tanks are pretty low-key, no fancy lights or anything, but the easy-care plants in play sand seem to be thriving just fine.
Re: guide to setting up a planted tank
I've also had success with live plants - a mix of rooted ones in play sand, which I supplement with root tabs, and floating ones, both of which are thriving, albeit at different rates.
Re: guide to setting up a planted tank
Thanks so much for all the advice, I really appreciate it. I'm still a bit unsure about root tabs and liquid fertiliser - could someone explain those a bit more? I'm getting the feeling that it's not just a case of sticking the roots in some sand and leaving it.
I've attached some pictures of the kind of setup I'm looking to create. If anyone could take a look and let me know what kind of plants they are and how I can achieve this, that would be amazing.
Also, I'm still a bit confused about the substrate. Should I stick with the black gravel I've got, or would sand be a better option? I've read that I might need some kind of soil as well, but I'm not entirely sure what that means.
Thanks again for all the help - I thought I could just buy some plants and stick them in, but it seems there's a bit more to it than that. I want to make sure I've got everything right before I make the switch.
I've attached some pictures of the kind of setup I'm looking to create. If anyone could take a look and let me know what kind of plants they are and how I can achieve this, that would be amazing.
Also, I'm still a bit confused about the substrate. Should I stick with the black gravel I've got, or would sand be a better option? I've read that I might need some kind of soil as well, but I'm not entirely sure what that means.
Thanks again for all the help - I thought I could just buy some plants and stick them in, but it seems there's a bit more to it than that. I want to make sure I've got everything right before I make the switch.
Re: guide to setting up a planted tank
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Re: guide to setting up a planted tank
I'm no plant expert, but after 11 years away from the hobby, I've done some research to get back into it. I used to have live plants, but I wasn't very successful and ended up buying new ones every weekend. This time around, I've found out that there are basically two types of plants: root feeders and column feeders. Root feeders like cryptocorynes and swords need a nutritious substrate with root tabs or a dedicated aquarium soil. If you're just starting out, you might want to steer clear of soil.
Column feeders, on the other hand, are plants like bacopa, hygrophila, and epiphytes like anubias and moss that can be attached to wood and rocks. They don't really benefit from nutrients in the substrate, even if they're rooted in it. You might need liquid fertiliser for column feeders, but many of the easier ones can get by without it. In my nano tank, I've gone for column feeders and epiphytes with bacopa monnieri, hygrophila polysperma, Java fern on bog wood, and Java moss on a plastic frame. I add a trace element fertiliser once a week and Seachem Flourish Excel a few times a week.
I'm using an LED light at about 500 lumens on my 18-litre nano, and I've just used small gravel. The plants are doing really well, and my nitrates are at zero, so I guess the plants are sucking up the nitrates. I use a phosphate remover in the filter, and I haven't had any problems with algae so far.
I like the right-hand picture you posted, and I think you could keep your gravel and just get column feeders and epiphytes. For that picture, I can see what looks like Java fern at the bottom behind the wood, but I'm not sure what else. You could put some bacopa monnieri at the back as a tall stem plant, cryptocoryne wendtii between the rocks, and I'd put anubias nana and Java fern on the wood. It wouldn't be exactly the same, but it would look really good, and all the plants I've mentioned are easy to grow.
Column feeders, on the other hand, are plants like bacopa, hygrophila, and epiphytes like anubias and moss that can be attached to wood and rocks. They don't really benefit from nutrients in the substrate, even if they're rooted in it. You might need liquid fertiliser for column feeders, but many of the easier ones can get by without it. In my nano tank, I've gone for column feeders and epiphytes with bacopa monnieri, hygrophila polysperma, Java fern on bog wood, and Java moss on a plastic frame. I add a trace element fertiliser once a week and Seachem Flourish Excel a few times a week.
I'm using an LED light at about 500 lumens on my 18-litre nano, and I've just used small gravel. The plants are doing really well, and my nitrates are at zero, so I guess the plants are sucking up the nitrates. I use a phosphate remover in the filter, and I haven't had any problems with algae so far.
I like the right-hand picture you posted, and I think you could keep your gravel and just get column feeders and epiphytes. For that picture, I can see what looks like Java fern at the bottom behind the wood, but I'm not sure what else. You could put some bacopa monnieri at the back as a tall stem plant, cryptocoryne wendtii between the rocks, and I'd put anubias nana and Java fern on the wood. It wouldn't be exactly the same, but it would look really good, and all the plants I've mentioned are easy to grow.
Re: guide to setting up a planted tank
I'd be happy to explain about root tabs and liquid fertiliser for you, Lioness. Root tabs are literally just stuck in the sand and left near the roots of plants that get their nutrients through their roots. They get used up over time, so you need to replace them every so often, but the pack will tell you how often to do that.
Liquid fertilisers, on the other hand, are added to the water for plants that get their nutrients through their leaves. I personally use Seachem Flourish root tabs in the substrate next to my crypts, and Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement in the water for my plants attached to decor and my floating plants.
I've also heard that TNC lite is a good brand of fertiliser available in the UK. I've had good results with Seachem, but it's always good to have options.
As for substrate, you don't necessarily need a special one if you're sticking with 'easy' plants. A lot of substrates become inert after a year or so, and then you'll need to add root tabs anyway. Sand or fine gravel should be fine. If you're planning on setting up a high-tech tank with strong lighting, added CO2, and a lot of fertiliser, then maybe a special plant substrate would be useful. But for low-tech tanks, it's not necessary.
I've had good luck attaching plants like Java fern, anubias, and mosses to my wood and rocks. Some plants like hornwort can be planted in the substrate or wound around decor to anchor it. And of course, floating plants just float on the surface. I've been experimenting with crypts lately, and while some of them haven't done well, others are thriving. I haven't tried growing stem plants yet, but maybe other members can offer some advice on that.
Liquid fertilisers, on the other hand, are added to the water for plants that get their nutrients through their leaves. I personally use Seachem Flourish root tabs in the substrate next to my crypts, and Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement in the water for my plants attached to decor and my floating plants.
I've also heard that TNC lite is a good brand of fertiliser available in the UK. I've had good results with Seachem, but it's always good to have options.
As for substrate, you don't necessarily need a special one if you're sticking with 'easy' plants. A lot of substrates become inert after a year or so, and then you'll need to add root tabs anyway. Sand or fine gravel should be fine. If you're planning on setting up a high-tech tank with strong lighting, added CO2, and a lot of fertiliser, then maybe a special plant substrate would be useful. But for low-tech tanks, it's not necessary.
I've had good luck attaching plants like Java fern, anubias, and mosses to my wood and rocks. Some plants like hornwort can be planted in the substrate or wound around decor to anchor it. And of course, floating plants just float on the surface. I've been experimenting with crypts lately, and while some of them haven't done well, others are thriving. I haven't tried growing stem plants yet, but maybe other members can offer some advice on that.
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oceanlover - Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:15 pm
Re: guide to setting up a planted tank
Most plants will need to be planted properly. This isn't a difficult process - just dig a small hole in the substrate, then gently place the plant in it. If you're looking to give your plants the best start, I'd recommend using a dedicated aquarium soil, but I understand that it can be pricey. If budget is a concern, you can still achieve good results by planting them in the sand you already have.
Re: guide to setting up a planted tank
I use Seachem Flourish Excel, but I don't follow the recommended daily dosage - I stick to two or three times a week and it seems to work for me. I trust Seachem products, but I know some people have concerns about gluteflakedehyde-based ferts, like potential plant die-back. I've been lucky so far, no issues. Planting stem plants can be a bit tricky, since they usually come as cuttings with no roots. I let them float in the tank until they develop a few roots, then I just push them into the gravel and the roots catch, holding them in place. When they get too big, I trim the top off and use that cutting to replace the old stem - just make sure to cut just under the node, or the excess will rot under the gravel. For epiphytes, I use string or cable ties to secure them to wood and rock - some people even use superglue, but I haven't tried that myself.
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