Optimal Setup Procedures For
Planted Freshwater Aquaria

The following details provide you with the optimum way to set up a freshwater planted aquarium. The points mentioned are not the "only" way to set up a tropical aquarium, but they outline factors that will optimise conditions for your plants :

1. Always plant heavily from the beginning with fast growing bunch plants. This may mean using as many as 60 bunches in a standard four foot aquarium. The reason for this is so that all of the nutrients in the water are being used by the aquatic plants and not the algae. If you place a small number of plants the algae will take advantage of the nutrients present and will cause problems.

2. Use strong lighting!! Two or three fluorescent tubes is a minimum. This will ensure that the growth of the plants is rapid and the algae nutrients mentioned will be removed quickly. A light period of 8-10 hours is ideal, lengthening the time does not make up for lack of intensity.

3. Plants need iron to function properly and grow well. This can be added in two ways. Substrate additives can be added to the gravel for root feeders such as sword plants. A good substrate is Seachem’s "Flourite". For the plant’s iron requirements, Seachem’s "Flourish & Flourish Iron" or Aquasonic’s 2 part mixture of "Daily Gro" and "Basic Gro" can be added to the water to cater for bunch plants. We have available iron test kits to determine iron levels in the water.

4. Use carbon dioxide. The result of strong lighting will mean that your plants will photosynthesize a lot more. This will mean that their need for carbon dioxide will increase. We can provide simple C02 systems that ensure this important parameter is covered.

5. Wait at least one week before adding fish. When you do add fish ensure that they are algae eaters such as Siamese flying foxes and bristle nose catfish. Do not feed these fish for the first three to four weeks to ensure that they are only eating algae. Try to keep the ultimate number of fish on the low side - the more fish you add, the more food must be introduced, and therefore the more nutrients available for algae growth.

6. Do your home work and ensure the plants that you are purchasing are true aquatic plants!! Many plants offered for sale are not true aquatics and as a result have a limited life span in the aquarium. Reef & River Aquatics sells both temporary display plants and true aquatic plants. Ask a staff member if you are unsure, as we will gladly tell you which plants are the true aquatics.

Talk to our staff about customizing your aquarium so that you can achieve optimal results!!!.