Planted Aquarium Essentials
by Lemuel SacopMay 7, 2020
In this series of articles, we will be discussing in-depth the planted aquarium essentials to successfully keep and maintain a planted aquarium at your very own home. From the location of the tank, dimensions, types, types of materials used in building tanks, to aquascaping designs, tank cycling, water parameters, water sources, filtration, filter media, lighting, CO2 injection, substrates, other tools/equipment, hardscapes, fertilizers/dosing, plants selection/types, fish selection, algae management and once your planted aquarium is set up and running, finding the balance of all these essentials.
Planning
Planted aquariums require less work to maintain but need more work to set up for the first time. Most importantly, we need to consider the tank’s ideal location at our home to avoid stressing the fish and avoiding disasters and accidents.
Here are the main topics that will be discussing more in-depth in upcoming articles:
Location of the Tank
Planted aquariums require less work to maintain but needs more work to set up for the first time. So we need to plan for it properly. Most importantly, we need to consider the ideal location of the tank at our home. So in this article, I will walk you through all the considerations on deciding where to place an aquarium at your home.
Furniture Stands Aquascaped Tanks by Ayong Go Philippines
All About Tanks
In this 3-parts series of articles, we will be discussing how to determine your tank dimensions, choose between rimless or braced tanks, the right materials in building your aquarium, and inspecting your aquarium tank before purchasing.
Custom Stand and Cabinet Aquascaped by Fritz Rabaya Philippines
Aquascaping Designs
In this 10-parts series of articles, we will be discussing the many different styles of Aquascaping and their core elements that set them apart from each other.
Hybrid Style Aquascaped by Les Paul Villanueva Philippines
Tank Cycling
In this 4-parts series of articles, we will be discussing the Nitrogen Cycle in our Planted Aquarium and how it will help us in knowing the importance of Tank Cycling for our Faunas and Floras.
Water Parameters
In this 7-parts series of articles, we will be discussing the essential water parameters for our planted aquarium, why do you need to know them, their effects, and how to test them.
Water Sources
This article will discuss the different safe water sources that you can use with your planted aquarium.
From deep-well (spring water), municipal tap water, purified, distilled, Reverse Osmosis (RO), Deionize water (DI), to combinations, we will cover these water sources in-depth.
Types of Filtration and Filter Medias
In this article, we will be discussing the different filtration methods, the different filter media for each filtration methods, ideal water turn-over rates, and we will help you decide what the best filter for your planted aquarium is.
Internal Filter Aquascaped by Melchin Origenes Tapan
Types of Filters
In this article, we will be discussing the different types of filters that you can use with your planted aquarium, what to look for/consider in a filter, functions, combination tips, etc.
Using Sponge Filter by Aldrin Solano Gacos Philippines
Planted Aquarium Lighting
In this section, we will be discussing one of the essential needs of your plants to grow, and that is the lighting.
We will outline what we need to consider in choosing your planted aquarium lighting and the importance of adjusting the intensity of your lighting.
All About CO2 Injection
In this section, we will be discussing all about CO2 Injection in our planted aquarium.
We will discuss why the need to inject CO2, and in some situations, you don’t need to inject CO2. We will also compare DIY CO2 injection versus injecting CO2 via a pressurized tank and its pros and cons.
Planted Aquarium Substrate
This section will discuss the many different substrates that we can consider in our planted aquarium.
What is the best substrate for your plants, and the differences between inert and active substrates will be discussed thoroughly.
Aquascaping Tools
In this article, we will outline the functions of essential Aquascaping tools for your successful planted aquarium.
From tweezers, curved scissors, quality, and how they can help you with successful planting and trimming maintenance will be discussed in detail.
Other Planted Aquarium Tools and Equipment
Here in this section, we will be discussing other essential tools and equipment which are vital for the success of your planted aquarium.
Hardscapes
In this article, we will discuss all about the hardscapes that you can use in your planted aquarium, how to set up, how to build, how to plant in them, and other tips and tricks for them to last submerged for a very long time.
Hardscape by Christian Pontiano Philippines
Nutrients, Fertilizers and Dosing
In this article, we will discuss all about fertilizers for your plants, what do we need to consider in choosing forms, what are the essential nutrients for your plants, dosing regime, dosing amounts, how to balance it with your light and CO2.
Plants Selection
This article will discuss the many different kinds of plants that you can utilize in our planted aquarium. From rosettes, stem, tubers, epiphytes to floating plants are all discussed in-depth.
Fish Selection
This article will discuss the many fish species that are suitable in our planted aquariums, fish stocking, feeding, do’s and don’ts, etc.
Choosing our fish to complement our planted aquarium will make for a vibrant display.
Planted Aquarium Maintenance
Keeping in with your maintenance is vital to the success of keeping a planted aquarium, most especially in the first few weeks to months, where you haven’t achieved the balance yet. You will not be able to keep that balance if you are skipping with your maintenance as well.
Algae Management
In this article, we will be discussing algae management and how to eradicate them.
What causes them to thrive, the many different kinds and forms of algae, how to avoid them, and balance your water parameters, lights, CO2, and fertilizers for them not to come back anymore.
Finding the Balance of Your Planted Aquarium
Finally, when all is said and done, we will help you find the balance in your planted aquarium so you can enjoy it, with minimal to no visible algae, with less human intervention (just weekly water change of 25 %), and some occasional plant trimmings.