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- Substrate
At least 2 1/2 inches of fine to medium-fine gravel. This will provide an adequate medium for anchoring the roots of plants.
- Lighting
Most plants will need a minimum of 1.5 watts/gallon for 8-12 hours/day.
- Algae
Too much light encourages algae growth. Only increase lighting if the plants are growing well. Add enough plants all at once when setting up a new aquarium to prevent algae from starting. Plant friendly algae eaters such as Otocinclus, Siamensis and Algae Eating Shrimp are also good additions to your aquarium.
- Good Starter Plants
Start with mostly fast growing plants. These are primarily bunch plants such as Bacopa caroliniana, Cabomba caroliniana, Rotala rotundifolia. Fish feel most secure in a densely planted aquarium. In return, they will reward you with their most brilliant colors!
- Planting
Remove any lead weights or rubberbands from bunch plants and plant each stalk individually in a small patch. Be sure light can reach the bottommost leaves.
- Arrangement
Group plants of the same type together to form an attractive arrangement. Vary color, size and leaf shape of different plants for interesting effects. Place any red plants nearer to the light, but not in the center.
- Slow Growing Plants
After the starter plants are established, add slower growing, decorative plants. About 60% of your plants should be fast growing bunch plants to control algae.
- Fertilizer
Regularly add aquatic plant fertilizer, not house plant products - they contain Ammonia and will poison fish! Fertilizer is especially important if you have red plants because they require iron in their diet.
- Water Changes
A small (5-10%> water change once a week keeps the algae away.
- Aeration vs. Circulation
Aeration drives off the carbon dioxide (CO2) that plants need to produce oxygen for your fish. Aeration is not the same as circulation! Plants need good cirulation to distribute nutrients and sweep dirt into the filter, but aeration (with an airstone) drives off the (CO2).
- Filtration
External canister filters are recommended for planted aquariums because they filter very efficiently without driving off CO2) in the process.
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