| First
of all, select your tank. The taller the tank the larger the
amount of light required. You want 2-4 watts per gallon. The
lower the watts the more limited your plant selection will be.
I prefer tanks with more width than height.
Next, select your
lighting. You can choose from power compacts, T -5, or metal
halide. You can grow plants under a regular fluorescent bulb,
how ever your selection of plants will be very limited.
I like to install
an under gravel heater cable. It doesn't add a lot to your
cost, but increases your chances of success with plants. In
the aquarium your substrate is cold (in nature the substrate
is warm). The heat causes circulation of water through the
substrate benefiting the tank in multiple ways.
When choosing
substrate, I prefer fluorite. I have had great success with
it. Although it is expensive, it can be mixed with small gravel
to reduce the amount you need and still achieve the desired
benefits. Be sure to keep the size of gravel small, because
large gravel will hinder your plant growth.
CO2, although
not required, will benefit the tank in ways that are amazing.
Your plants will not live up to their full potential without
it. The ability of plants to use the minerals and elements
in your water will be limited. Even if it is an inexpensive
do it yourself kit, it will help. If you plants are using
everything available to them, the algae will have less to
thrive on. This will help eliminate unhealthy algae problems.
A filter and heater
in your tank is necessary. We do not want any temperature
fluctuations. You can use a hang on the back filter or canister
filter without any issues.
Stay away from bubble wands and diffusers. CO2 is a gas and
it escapes with the bubbles. You can use a wet dry filter,
but this will pose additional problems you will have to address.
Congratulations.
You have set up your tank & it's time to plant. The great
thing about plants is you do not have to wait for your tank
to cycle. The fluctuation in chemistry will not harm the plants.
Remember; plant your tank as full as possible. It will cost
more in the beginning, but you will be avoiding future problems.
If you try to start with just a couple of plants, adding a
plant here and there, it is a recipe for disaster. The plants
will not be able to use everything you have supplied, but
the algae will.
So those are the basics to setting up a planted tank. I hope
this has been helpful and that you have great success.
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