How to set up Planted Fish tank for Beginners

Planted tanks offer the more natural habitat of the underwater world. They hold more aesthetic appeal, showing aquatic life. The planted tanks are a little more challenging than the fish-only setup. Plants are the main item of a planted tank with fish and hardscape addition. Plants consume fish waste, improving water quality. Fish are considered to be more secure, releasing rich colorings in the beauty of aquariums.

Aquatic plants:

The Planted tank's first requirement is aquatic plants. The plants that can grow underwater. There are low-tech and high-tech plants. Low-tech plants do not need high light, while high-tech plants require very high light.

Planted tank equipment:

Substrate

Lighting

Filter

Heater

Plants supplements

Hardscape as per choice

Test kit

Setting up an aquarium:

Place the tank in a balanced place with an electric supply for tank equipment like a filter or heater. Adjust the filter and heater. You can add the tank background available at the fish store. The background poster creates a natural look. The white and blue background will also work, or you can paint it with any color you choose.

 Aquarium Substrate:

Aquarium Substrate with aquatic plants

The substrate of a planted tank gives plants a home to get settled. Plants do well in aqua soil with a top layer of sand. They grow and flourish in aqua soil as it is full of nutrients. It boosts plant growth with vibrant shades. You can plant certain types of aquatic plants in gravel and sand. Plants that have rhizomes or floating plants get nutrients from the water. A good fertilizer is vital if having a sand or gravel substrate in a fish tank. The only problem with sand or gravel substrates is that they can not hold plants firmly. If you keep bottom-dwelling fish in a planted tank, they will destroy plants. In the case of sand or gravel, you will have to keep fish that do not dig the substrate.

Lighting:

It depends on plants planted in a planted tank. Low-tech plants that do not need intense light can grow in less light. Putting low-tech plants in high light can lead to algae. High-tech plants require powerful lighting. The two most common types of aquarium lighting are LEDs and fluorescent lights. The two lights have benefits.LEDs can last longer to be strong lights. Fluorescent light is traditional and emits low heat and has been in the hobby for a long time. The standard Kelvin range for aquarium lighting is 6500k. The par is the measurement of aquarium light strength to know if the plants are getting enough light. Low light par  15-30, medium-light 35-50, and high light of par are  80 and above micromoles. If some areas in the planted tank are getting enough light and some less, the growth of plants will differ in those areas. That is why aquarists use the par meter.

Plants supplements:

Plants supplements grow plants. The lack of nutrients turns to algae growth. The supplement is a good source for plants that take nutrients from the water column liquid. Every plant has a nutrient need as its type. Mosses need phosphate fertilizer to have a lush green look. Lack of nitrate will lead to the plant's pale color. You need to do a 50% water change as too much fertilizer can lead to algae. The root tab also provides rich nutrients to the plants that have roots. These tabs dissolve slowly, absorbed by the roots.

Fish for planted tanks:

The best fish for a planted fish are small fish that will not destroy plants. Larger fish that tend to dig will ruin the beauty of your planted tank. Schooling fish like tetras is a good choice. Many people are fond of shrimps to add to their aquariums. In larger fish, angelfish do well in a planted tank.

Water ph:

It is the level of acidity in the tank water. The ideal pH for most fish and plants is 6.5-7.5. If lower than this, the water pH will be considered more acidic. You can use a water conditioner to adjust the pH.

Filter and heater

It depends on the size of a tank and which size of a heater or filter does good in it. Small aquariums do well in sponge or hang-on back filters. If you have 75 gallons, a canister filter is fair to go with as it filters the water well.

CO2:

If you want your aquatic plants green and rich, then  CO2 will work. It is a source of food for plants. The growth of plants uplifts with a CO2 system.

Final words:

Take the steps needed for the planted tank. Add fish when your tank gets established to have this ecosystem.