How to Set Up a Plant‐Only Aquarium

Source: wikiHow

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When thinking of “aquariums” full of freshwater, it’s hard to not think of little fish swimming around. There are tanks, however, made just for freshwater plantings! Maintenance is easy, but don’t skimp. While it may not seem as fun at first, it is an exciting hobby to get into.

Aquascaping (arranging aquatic plants) is a true art form and there are contests for who can create the best underwater scene! This is a unique way to keep plants, arguably the best way, so read on to find out how.

1. 1 Purchase and set up all necessary equipment. Just because you don’t have any fish doesn’t mean you can skimp on the basics, including:
   • A simple filter of your choosing (hang-on back filters are the easiest to find and are suitable for most tanks),
   • A tank light for growing plants, secured properly for safety. Different plants need different light levels, so do research and plan your tank accordingly.
   • An air pump (with airstones and airline tubing). It does not need to be strong, but needs to disturb the water and add oxygen to prevent stagnant water buildup.
   • If your tank’s water temperature reaches cool extremes, it’s best to invest in a heater as well.
   • Sunlight is not a suitable replacement for tank lights! It can heat up the tank; it’s unregulated, and accelerates algae growth, so keep your tank away from it.
2. 2 Add gravel, sand, or other plant-friendly substrates and decorations as needed. Wash such material with normal tap water, thoroughly.
   • You can skip decorations, but substrate is vital in planted tanks.
     Keep in mind that certain plants do better with certain substrates.
3. 3 Add conditioned water. Use a proper water conditioner to prepare; don’t just aerate the water. You might also add aquarium salt (1 tbsp per 5 US gallons) ^[1] to ward off unsightly parasites, but aquatic plants usually don’t have many parasitic animals plaguing them. But if you add invertebrates, then do add sea salt for them.
   • Don’t, as yet, add the plant fertilizer (substrate or water soluble).
4. 4 Cycle your tank. You must not skip this even if you only want plants. Plants die over time, and a proper bacterial filtration system will make sure ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates don’t skyrocket.
   • While some (not a lot!) of nitrates are vital to the plants’ growth — ammonia and nitrites are toxic to them. Plants handle the chemicals better than fish do, but it’s better to err on the caution side.

1. 1 Research your desired plants’ requirements. Of course, buy freshwater plants. As mentioned before, light requirements are a big factor. If your light is not strong enough (or too strong), then revise your plans. Think about nutritional requirements and how each plant grows. Larger plants shade over others if not arranged properly, blocking out light. All of the plants need to coexist peacefully.
   • Buy from reputable sites. A snail-free promise should be searched for, as snails can reproduce quickly to decimate your tank.
   • Research carefully. Some “aquatic” plants actually should not be fully submerged. It’s great to use these, but don’t put them fully in the water. They will rot.
   • Many plants are fine with gravel, but some do poorly in sand. Keep this in mind.
2. 2 Plan the plants’ positions aesthetically. This is the artsy part of aquascaping. Tall, bushy plants should be near the back to provide a background. Shorter, weedier plants can be in the middle. Smaller, stunningly beautiful plants can be in the front as a centerpiece. Put the airstone in between plants to hide it, if you want. Try to use your imagination to build underwater scenes that have a natural feel to them.
   • If you included natural wood décor, there are “mosses” or other plants that flourish on floating wood. Add them to the wood!
   • A good example would be an underwater “meadow”. Hairgrass, wood, and rocks are used to create the illusion of a scene usually seen on ground.
3. 3 Add nutritional supplements if needed. There are different forms of nutrients, from pellets to solutions. Add the right amount according to your tank and follow instructions to the T. Since there are no fish (even if you will add invertebrates), there will be minimal waste for the plants to utilize. This is key to a healthy tank.
   • Follow suppliers’ instructions. Don’t just put in whatever seems reasonable. Too much can burn the roots and plants or mess up water chemistry.
4. 4 Add the plants. Rinse off debris with normal tap water and snip off any yellow or…

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