Complete Guide to Setting Up a Planted Aquarium — Layout, CO2, Lighting & Fertilizer Basics | ブリちょく
Tropical Fish| ✍️ BreederDirect Editorial
Complete Guide to Setting Up a Planted Aquarium — Layout, CO2, Lighting & Fertilizer Basics
Step-by-step guide to creating a planted aquarium: three basic layout compositions, CO2 injection methods, choosing lighting, and using liquid and substrate fertilizers for lush plant growth.
Key Takeaways
Step-by-step guide to creating a planted aquarium: three basic layout compositions, CO2 injection methods, choosing lighting, and using liquid and substrate fertilizers for lush plant growth.
Complete Guide to Creating Aquascaped Planted Tanks | Basics of Layout, CO2, Lighting, and Fertilizers
An aquascaped planted tank with beautifully arranged aquatic plants is one of the finest hobbies, allowing you to recreate natural aquarium-like landscapes in your own home. However, many feel the barrier to entry is high, with questions like "Which aquatic plants should I choose?", "Is CO2 necessary?", and "What lighting should I use?" This article provides an easy-to-understand explanation of planted tank fundamentals through to practical layout techniques.
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The BreederDirect editorial team specializes in care information for animals, covering veterinary care and breeding to deliver beginner-friendly guides.
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Three Styles of Planted Tanks
Planted tanks can be broadly divided into three styles. First, deciding which style you're aiming for will serve as the criteria for selecting equipment and plants.
Nature Aquarium (NA) Style
A Japanese-originated aquatic plant layout style established by Takashi Amano (ADA). It aims to recreate natural landscapes (mountains, rivers, forests) within the aquarium.
Characteristics: Dynamic composition centered on stones and driftwood
Representative layouts: Convex, concave, and triangular compositions
Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced (requires CO2 injection and high light intensity)
Dutch Aquarium
An aquascaping style originating in the Netherlands that prioritizes plants. It involves arranging diverse aquatic plants neatly while enjoying the contrast of colors and textures.
Characteristics: Composition that leverages the diversity of plant species and colors
Difficulty: Advanced (requires high management skills)
Paludarium and Biotope Style
A style that recreates specific ecosystems (small streams in Southeast Asia, Amazon river delta, etc.).
- Characteristics: Emphasizes ecological accuracy. Organisms are matched by origin region
- Difficulty: Intermediate (varies by style)
Required Equipment List
Aquarium Tank
For beginners, a 60cm standard tank (60×30×36cm, approximately 65L) is easy to manage and recommended. The more water volume, the more stable the water quality, but weight also increases.
Lighting
Sufficient light intensity is necessary for aquatic plant photosynthesis.
Lighting Type
Characteristics
Best For
LED Lights (aquatic plant specialized)
Energy-efficient, long-lasting, customizable
General use
Fluorescent lights
Inexpensive but high power consumption
Beginners
Metal halide
Maximum light output but high heat and cost
Advanced
Guideline: For a 60cm tank, 2,000-5,000 lm LED lights are appropriate. Plants that prefer strong light (New Large Pearl Grass, etc.) require 5,000+ lm.
Lighting duration: 8-10 hours per day. Automation with a timer is convenient. Excessive duration promotes algae growth.
CO2 Injection System
Many aquatic plants require CO2 (carbon dioxide) for photosynthesis. While some plants can grow without CO2 injection, CO2 addition is important for beautiful growth.
CO2 injection methods:
1. Fermentation method (DIY): Homemade using sugar and yeast. Low cost but difficult to regulate volume. Suitable for beginners
2. Bottle method (small CO2 kit): Uses commercially available mini cylinders. Enables stable injection. Beginner to intermediate
3. Large cylinder method: Uses industrial cylinders. Long-term cost is economical and professional. Intermediate to advanced
Injection volume guideline: Approximately one bubble per second for a 60cm tank (adjust based on plant quantity and light intensity)
Filter
An external canister filter (Eheim, etc.) is optimal for planted tanks. It prevents wasted CO2 dissipation and allows easy flow adjustment.
Substrate (Soil)
Aquatic plant soil (Amazonia, etc.) is superior for aquatic plant cultivation.
Substrate Type
Characteristics
Soil
Slightly acidic, softens water. Optimal for aquatic plant cultivation. Requires replacement every 2-3 years
Silica sand
Inexpensive, long-lasting. Limited for some plant cultivation
Stava sand/river sand
Aesthetically pleasing white color. Some plants have difficulty rooting
Choosing Aquatic Plants
Aquatic plants can be classified by light intensity, CO2 requirements, and management difficulty.
Beginner-friendly (low light, no CO2 injection needed)
Willow moss: Attaches easily. Simply tie to driftwood or rocks. Hardy with minimal failure risk
Anacharis (Canadian waterweed): Fast-growing with excellent water purification effects
Salvinia (water sprite): Simply float it. Active photosynthesis with excellent nitrate absorption
Vallisneria: Tape-like, popular as background plant. Spreads via rhizomes underground
Cryptocoryne species: Shade-tolerant. Grows in low-light conditions as mid-ground plant
Intermediate (high light, CO2 recommended)
Hair grass (Eleocharis): Fine leaves create delicate grassland-like foreground
Glossostigma: Standard creeping foreground plant. Creeping habit develops with more CO2
Rotala species: Diverse colors (red, green, pink) as mid to background stem plants
Blyxa Japonica short-leaf: Densely packed fine leaves as mid-ground plant
Advanced (high light, CO2 essential)
New Large Pearl Grass: Ultra-small round leaves spread carpet-like. Challenging foreground plant
Water fern: Delicate fern-like form. Difficult temperature management
Tiny nymphaea species: Develops floating leaves but can be controlled for mid-ground use
Basic Layout Compositions
Triangular Composition
One side is high, sloping toward the opposite side in a simple composition. Easy for beginners.
Concave Composition
Both sides are high with the center lowered. Creates a sense of depth.
Convex Composition (Mountain-shaped)
Center is high with both sides lowered. Expresses natural mountain or hill landscapes.
The joy of planted tanks lies in creating your own natural landscape within water. Starting with simple compositions and hardy plants, gradually improving your skills is the key to sustained enjoyment.
CO2 injection and high-intensity lighting require initial investment, but they dramatically expand both the variety of plants you can cultivate and their beauty. Please try your hand at creating your own aquascape.
