Planting Your Aquarium
Planting the aquarium is an important part of a planted aquarium, a bit of time is needed for planning to make sure that you know a) where everything is going to go at the beginning b) what you want the tank to look like after a few months.
Adding interesting rocks and wood can give your aquarium a very nice feel, usually using one type of rock or wood a few times through the tank gives the most aesthetically pleasing results.
If you have bought your plants and the tank is ready, it’s time to plant! This is an important part which will take some time and could be frustrating, make sure you give yourself a few hours alone.
Planting the different types of plants:
- Stem Plants – when bought these usually come with elastic or wire around the base holding the stems together, take this off to separate. You can plant stem plants all in one
bunch but it gives a nicer feel if they are spread out along the background, if you don’t have enough don’t worry they will soon grow and you will be able to propagate the stems. A great effect is having taller stems in each of the corners and then shorter ones in the centre; this will also hide the heater/filter. These stems should be pushed deep into the substrate, soon they will grow roots and there growth will rocket! - Anubais and Java Fern – These types of plants will need to be attached to the wood or rock for the best effect. Sometimes you can wedge them somewhere but often they will need to be tied on. Fishing wire does work but cotton thread is by far the best option, it will eventually dissolve but by this time the plant will be well adhered to the rock.
- Crypts/potted plants – these will generally come in small plastic or clay pots with wool.
Take out the wool and remove the plant from the pot, these can also be placed directly into the substrate, the easiest way to do this is dig a small hole in the gravel, push the plant into it and cover it up on all sides. - Moss – moss will look best when it is placed on wood or rocks but can be grown just about anywhere. To attach it to a rock the same method is used for anubais and java ferns.
This is a very frustrating process but will be very rewarding in the long run, the easiest method to tie on the moss is with very fine cotton string and doing it OUTSIDE of the water. Don’t make the mistake of not being able to move your wood and rocks and trying to do this in the water it is very frustrating. Another excellent way is to put coins on the moss to weigh it down, this works very well and within a week or so they can be taken off and the moss will have grown onto the ornament. - Hair grass should also come in small little pots, it can be planted directly into the substrate and will give a nice carpet effect within the aquarium. Try planting the stems a little apart to give it room to expand.
Now that you have planted the aquarium, make sure to remember to dose both a fertilizer and a carbon substitute (unless using co2) regularly to keep the health of your plants in good order.
A GUIDE TO TRIMMING & MAITENANCE
Congratulations!, you now have a successful planted tank that should grow and breathe within the aquarium. It will make the fish feel more at home but also impress anyone who stumbles upon it.
For a lesson in improving both the aesthetics of the tank and the natural tone of the tank be sure to check out this advanced article on aquascaping.
