How to Create a Planted Aquarium Aquascape? Latest Tutorial Explained in Detail
A planted tank is an aquarium themed around aquatic plants. Generally, planted tanks house small schooling tetras, or angelfish, dwarf cichlids, etc., and also a small number of shrimp, snails, or algae-eating fish as algae-control organisms, but a few planted tanks are purely focused on the aquatic plant landscape. To create a beautiful planted tank, there are many things to know and many little tips. Let's take a look at the planted tank aquascaping tutorial below!
Lighting System
Lighting in a planted tank not only looks as beautiful as stage lighting, but ample, high-quality light is also an essential condition in a natural ecological tank. Aquatic plants need to absorb light for photosynthesis, and beneficial microorganisms also need light to provide energy for their activity, so lighting can be said to be the power source of a natural ecological tank.
Filtration System
In nature, water flows constantly and thus continuously replenishes the CO2, oxygen and nutrients that aquatic plants need to grow; in addition, through decomposition and purification by microorganisms in the environment, it stays crystal clear at all times. A planted tank is a closed space, so water purification needs the help of a filter, which also provides water circulation in the planted tank.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a necessary condition for photosynthesis. Since the water in a planted tank is still water, it cannot continuously supply carbon dioxide like the living water in nature. Therefore, a carbon dioxide supply system is needed to supplement the carbon dioxide concentration in the water, providing for photosynthesis by aquatic plants, which then produces the oxygen needed by fish and microorganisms.
Substrate
The substrate provides anchorage and nutrients for the roots of aquatic plants and offers a place for beneficial microorganisms to live; it is the most important foundation in aquatic plant cultivation. The condition of the substrate in a planted tank directly affects the growth of the aquatic plants, so when building a natural substrate, in addition to basic gravel or soil, it is also recommended to add natural nutrients, beneficial microorganisms and electric magnetic stones that activate the substrate.
Fertilization Management
When a planted tank is first set up, you must wait until the aquatic plants are about to grow new shoots before fertilizing. Fertilizers include base fertilizer, root fertilizer, liquid fertilizer, iron fertilizer and other types. When adding root fertilizer, to prevent root rot, it must be buried in the substrate 2 to 3 cm away from the aquatic plants. For water-soluble fertilizers, the first time you can add the specified amount directly into the tank, but afterward, at each water change, if you add liquid fertilizer according to the amount of water changed, there is no need to worry about excess fertilizer accumulating in the aquarium. No matter which kind of fertilizer, it can only work effectively when the water quality is stable, the carbon dioxide concentration is suitable and the water temperature is appropriate. If these conditions become unbalanced, the excess fertilizer in the aquarium will cause algae to appear.
Water Change Management
The extent of water changes in a planted tank varies depending on the number and species of aquatic plants. Generally, about 1/4 to 1/3 of the water is changed every one to two weeks. If carbon dioxide is not added, then 1/4 to 1/3 of the water should be changed every 2 to 3 days. Changing water at this frequency allows effective use of the carbon dioxide in tap water and can also suppress the occurrence of algae. The water used for water changes should preferably have its temperature adjusted first, and a water conditioner added, before being added to the tank. In addition, when removing water from the tank, it is better to simultaneously use a siphon to suck out the debris hidden among the aquatic plants or in the substrate.
Trimming Aquatic Plants
Several weeks after aquascaping, fast-growing stem plants will have grown to twice their original height, breaking the balance of the arrangement, and at this point the aquatic plants must be trimmed. The simplest trimming method is to cut the longer stem plants to an appropriate length. In addition, if some aquatic plants that float to the water surface are left unchecked, they will affect the lighting for the plants below, so they should be trimmed to an appropriate length. Some people use their fingernails to trim, but this easily damages the aquatic plants, so it is better to use scissors as much as possible.