10. Planted Tank

10. The Freshwater Planted Tank

Many hobbyists dream of keeping a beautiful, healthy planted tank. There is a daunting array of products on the market boasting to “make your tank thrive.” Which products do you need? How should you use them? When should you use them?

There are a number of ways to create the “ideal” planted tank. The simple guidelines below describe a reliable method and tested products for setting up a planted tank. By following these guidelines and carefully selecting products, from day one, even the beginner can culture a healthy, enchanting planted wonderland.

The Equipment

Filtration
Good	Better	Best
• Hagen AquaClear Box Filters - This is a good filter that has room for Purigen and media of your choice. Always select a filter at least one size up from the size recommended by Hagen. Optionally, two smaller filters can be used for increased efficiency and as a fail-safe should one filter go down.	• Hydor Prime Canister Filters These are great, dependable canister filters at better pricing than most. They come pre-packed with media and extra tubing. These filters are quiet and with regular care will perform for many years.	• Trickle Filters Large tanks and ‘ultimate’ tanks can be set up with Aquarium Life Support Systems trickle filters. These efficient units must be used with a siphon box or drilled tank and are, hands down, the best filters for any system.

Lighting
Good	Better	Best
• Zoomed Fluorescent Lights Two rows of lights minimum. These are T8 and produce more lumens than standard T12 lamps. These lamps are limited to moderate and low light plants. See the Plant Guide for details.	• Glo T5 HO 24` Linear Single Fluorescent Lighting System These fixtures are not only incredibly attractive but also incorporate an incredibly designed and engineered housing that directs maximum lighting into your aquarium. The reflectors on these systems are curved allowing for better reflection into the aquarium. All models are equipped with a T5HO (High Output) electronic ballast, water resistant compression-fit end caps, and `mirror-finish` internal aluminum reflector. Each lighting system comes with aquarium mounting brackets for secure installation and vertical adjustments. Hagen created these wonderful fixtures with components that exceed all North American electrical codes for water resistance. Integrated Extension Brakets - 24 watt unit fits aquariums 23 to 40 inches, 39 watt unit fits aquariums 35 to 52 inches and 54 watt unit fits aquariums 46.75 to 64 inches. Integrated Suspension Tabs Enables easy suspension over your aquarium but if not used they recess into the fixture ensuring a clean attractive look. Electronic Technology - Creates optimal bulb performance and longevity of the lamp and ballast.	• Finnex 48" T5 HO Light Fixture 6-bulb 6 - 54w T5 HO bulbs -47.25x10.63x3.88 -Electronic ballast -Polished aluminum reflector -Moisture resistant UV filtration lens -Adjustable fixture stands -Includes hanging kit • 48" Aqua Euro w/ 4 54w HO T5 System Features: 2 - T5 54W 10,000K white fluorescent bulbs, 2 - T5 54W Actinic 03 fluorescent bulbs, sleek aluminum housing, and high quality electro-white reflector. Dimensions: 48` x 11.5` x 2.5` Includes Hamilton electronic ballast and independent controls for dawn to dusk effect. • Reefstar Single 150w 14000K HQI Pendant Operates one 150w 14K double ended HQI metal halide lamp (bulb included in price). The new 150 watt 14K double ended bulb emits a bright crisp ice blue white color that is great for reef tanks. Low profile reefstar is light weight and corrosion resistant. Unit includes highly reflective hammertone reflector, tempered glass lens, and remote HQI ballast. Designed to hang above the tank. Hanging wires included.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) CO2 is the difference between a planted show tank and just a tank with plants
Good	Better	Best
• CO2 Fizz Factory with CO2 Fizz Tabs by Jungle An economical alternative to many of the CO2 injection units. Easy to follow instructions and a portion of every sale goes to preserve the Rainforest. • CO2 Liquid Fertilizer System by OSI. This unique liquid supplies CO2 to your plants. Plant growth results should be seen in two weeks. Carefully follow instructions and place one of the three vials supplied with the suction cup supplied to the aquarium glass. Remember to always use these products in the morning with the lights on.	• Co2 Green NRG Natural Plant System Hydor`s CO2 Green NRG Natural solves the problem of low carbon dioxide in freshwater aquariums: a simple, natural, and easy-to-use system with unique diffuser technology which guarantees maximum efficiency for visible results in only two weeks.	• CO2 Pro System 500-Paintball. Red Sea is pleased to introduce an exciting new CO2 system for planted aquariums. The Pro System is a complete, efficient and user-friendly system to maintain a desired level of CO2 in planted aquariums from 10 to 125 gallons (40 to 500 Liters). The CO2 Pro System contains the following components: -Full featured, dual gauge, safety regulator that is supplied in versions suitable for connection to standard refillable CO2 cylinders, disposable CO2 cylinders, and `Paintball” CO2 cylinders (USA only). -Independent, high precision, in-line, needle valve that can be located in a convenient location on the side of the aquarium and be set to stable flow rates as low as 4 bubbles per minute. -Highly efficient CO2 Reactor 500 that includes an adjustable flow water pump and can dissolve over 180 bubbles of CO2 per min -Bubble Counter with integrated check valve -Real time CO2 indicator

View All CO2 Systems

Gravel

Plant the aquarium with a gravel base of 3-6”. Large gravel is not suitable for planted aquariums. Start with at least 1lb per gallon of tank volume. Add more if needed.

Use substrate additives with a third of the gravel and place as the bottom layer in the aquarium. The rest of the gravel is placed on top of the mixed gravel to a total height of 3-6”. Use small substrate for the base - 2-4 mm diameter particles is best.

Flourite by SeaChem or Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate may be used either as the base coat for the above application or for the gravel layer.

A thin layer of Giovanni's Starter is another alternative gravel base layer.

The Method

Plant the Aquarium

1. Partially fill the tank. Dechlorinate and plant the aquarium right away with plenty of fast growing oxygenating plants like Hygrophila, Sagittaria, and Vallisneria. Bunch plants perform better when planted with Plant Plugs by Aquarium Products. Remember to trim bunch plants approximately 1" from the bottom and remove all dead material. Avoid leaves in the plug or below the surface of the gravel. See the Freshwater Plant Guide, Solution 11, for more details on oxygenating plants to select.

2. To enhance the Nitrogen Cycle, use a good quality bacteria starter like Nitromax Freshwater by Tropical Science or Aquarium Cleaner.

3. Add very few fish but add Otocinclus Catfish, Amano Shrimp, Mollies and or Flying Fox.

4. Remember, it is normal to lose some of the initial fish and plants. The goal is to establish some healthy, fast growing algae-fighting plants while cycling your aquarium. See the Nitrogen Cycle article for more information on this important process.

5. Add a small amount of Phosguard by SeaChem to the filter. Use a high grade activated carbon like Matrix Carbon by SeaChem. Planted tanks require more carbon than ordinary fish tanks. CarboPhos by Aquarium Life Support Systems is a good, convenient mixture of both Phosguard and carbon. These all should be placed in filter bags.

6. Begin monitoring pH. Initial pH readings will be high. Lower pH with CO2 doses. See notes below.

7. Maintain water temperature at 72-73°F initially and later at 75-76°F once the tank is established. Allow 6 weeks for the tank to stabilize.

8. Do not use fertilizers until plants have become established and show signs of root growth.

Important Information about CO2 and pH

If aquarium plants are doing well small bubbles begin to form along the margins of the leaves within 1-2 hours after the lights and CO2 are started. If no bubbles are observed and CO2 levels have been increased the problem is usually lighting or filtration.

Ideal pH in a planted tank is 6.8. Natural fluctuations of pH occur during the day and values as high as 7.5 do not harm plants. pH levels are lowest lin the morning before the lights are turned on, rise throughout the day and are highest level in the evening before the lights go out. The greater the difference between the lowest and highest pH levels the higher the conversion of CO2 and the better the plants are doing. The high range tends to drop as the tank becomes established.

Ideally, adjustments to pH should be made by increasing the amount of CO2 introduced into the system. Chemicals to lower pH should be avoided in the plant tank, however, values above 7.5 may require attention. Should pH adjustment become necessary, use only Acid Buffer by SeaChem. Assuming water changes and water conditions are kept up, Alkaline Buffer by SeaChem can be used to raise pH. Never make drastic changes in pH! Any change in pH should be made gradually over a period of several hours to days.

Other Water Quality Parameters

kH		Ideal range: 3-4 degrees. Adjust with pH Stable by Kent Marine
gH		Ideal level: 2°. Soften with deionized or R/O water and peat.
Iron		Ideal level: .1ppm After addition of iron supplement, wait for it to drop to .05ppm before adding more. Do not exceed .2ppm.
Nitrate		Ideal level: 0 Practical level: 10ppm or less. Reduce with small, frequent water changes.
Phosphate		Ideal level: as low as possible. Adjust with Phosguard by SeaChem, and/or R/O water adjusted with R/O Right by Kent Marine

Algae Problems

Algae in aquariums is unavoidable. An overabundance of algae is unsightly and sometimes unhealthy in the planted tank. Algae control is achieved by proper filtration, water movement, live load balance and water chemistry. The main cause for algae growth is almost always phosphorus. Phosphorus is often found in tap water and like nitrate, is also a by-product of the fish load. Natural balance in the plant tank is achieved by the ratio of algae eating animals and fast growing vascular plants that compete with algae for nutrients. Here are some tips:
• use Phosguard if you are using tap water
• use R/O water
• keep Otocinclus catfish
• keep Siamese Flying Fox
• keep Algae Eating Shrimp (tiny ones may be eaten by aggressive fish)
• keep them from Day 1

Once the tank is set up, plant the tank right away to get oxygenating and rooted plants established as quickly as possible. Products like Aquarium Cleaner by Water Quality Science help bind organic material into compounds unusable by algae as nutrients. Once nitrate and phosphate are in check reduce fertilizer and/or iron supplements until algae is in check.

Snails and Other Pests

Clown Loaches and Dwarf Cichlids can do some serious damage to a nuisance snail or leech population.

Supplement Schedule

3-6 weeks		• Good - use Giovanni Trace+ by Ocean Nutrition or • Better - use Flourish by Seachem, or • Best - use Giovanni Iron+
after 1 month		• use Purigen by Seachem to polish water and reduce organics. Use as necessary.
after 2 months		• begin using less carbon. Reduce to small quantities and replace it every other month. If iron levels are hard to maintain, discontinue carbon unless water is yellow or has an odor. Purigen also helps and does not affect valuable trace elements. These elements are replaced with products like Flourish by SeaChem.
after 3 months		• use Flourish, Flourish Excel or Giovanni Trace+ by Ocean Nutrition if growth of plants is an issue. Use at half doses. If iron levels are hard to maintain use Flourish Iron to raise levels
after 6 months		• start using 1/4 doses of Flourish Potassium by Seachem or Giovanni Fertil+. If better growth is noticed continue. Potassium can be a problem if everything else is in check and plants are not thriving. Use Flourish Tabs or Giovanni Fertil Capsules every 3-4 months.