Proper care for a planted aquarium: features, frequency and life hacks

Do you dream of having an underwater garden in your home, where bright fish swim among the greenery? Then a planted aquarium is what you need. Unlike a regular aquarium, live plants play the main role here. They create stunning beauty and a special, healthy environment for the inhabitants.

However, in order for your green corner to truly thrive, it needs special care. It's not as difficult as it seems, but it requires understanding a few simple rules. Lighting, carbon dioxide supply, feeding, and trimming plants are the main pillars of a planted aquarium.

In this article, we will explain how to do everything correctly, but without unnecessary fuss. We will share not only the basics, but also useful life hacks that will help you save time and nerves. You will learn that regularity and attention to detail are much more important than complex equipment.

Types of planted aquariums

Before we move on to describing how to care for planted aquariums, we should take a look at the different types, because caring for different types of planted aquariums will vary slightly.

Aquarists distinguish between three types of planted aquariums based on the speed of plant growth and development:

• Slow (or unforced)

Aquariums with low plant growth rates. This can be achieved by reducing the level of lighting and fertilizer doses, as well as by refusing to add additional carbon dioxide.

• Forced

These aquariums are densely populated, grow quickly, and the flora grows and reproduces intensively. This requires intensified lighting, increased doses of fertilizers, and the supply of carbon dioxide.

• Medium-paced

Here, the average growth rate and number of plants are moderate. Accordingly, the conditions here should also be moderate.

Grass aquariums can be divided into those populated exclusively by plants without fish and mollusks (plant-based) and mixed ones, which contain various aquatic organisms (underwater flora and fauna). This parameter is also important to consider, especially in mixed aquariums, in order to achieve a balance of conditions that is suitable for both plants and fish.

Caring for a planted aquarium is not just about changing the water and trimming the plants, but maintaining a constant balance of light, nutrition, and cleanliness. The main thing is not to overdo it: cleaning too often or using too much fertilizer can harm the plants more than neglecting them altogether. It is enough to change part of the water once a week, make sure that the light is stable, and that the soil does not stagnate. Simple life hacks — for example, not turning on the light for 12 hours in a row and not adding fertilizer “by eye” — will help you maintain beautiful, thick greenery and avoid algae.

Features and frequency of care for a grass aquarium

Based on the experience of such well-known authors of books on aquarium keeping as M. Bailey, P. Bergress, M. Machlin, as well as advice from experienced aquarists on thematic forums, it is possible to compile a clear table of the frequency of care for a planted aquarium.

Daily:

• checking equipment;
• checking the condition of plants and fish;
• feeding fish;
• creating daylight hours by turning the lighting on and off;
• visual assessment of water level and condition with testing as necessary.

Weekly:

• replacing part of the water;
• checking water parameters (acid-base balance, nitrites, nitrates, ammonia, etc.);
• flushing pre-filters and internal filters (as required);
• cleaning the glass;
• assessing the condition of plants and fish;
• checking and adjusting equipment parameters;
• applying fertilizers and supplements;
• thinning, trimming plants, removing fallen or dead parts.

Monthly or every few months:

• thinning plants;
• trimming;
• separating shoots;
• cleaning the soil substrate;
• cleaning the bottom and replacing the water (every other time);
• flushing filters: cleaning small-cell filters once a quarter, large filters once every 5-6 months;
• preventive replacement of lighting lamps (once every six months).

Annually:

• flushing the soil with a multi-stage water change using a hose;
• removing dead plants;
• transplanting and changing the design of the underwater garden as desired;
• introducing new fish inhabitants.

Every few years:

• complete renewal of soil and water every 3-5 years and replacement of the garden;
• a cryptocoryne garden can be renewed every 10 years, as it lives longer.

Additional care on request:

• replenishment of evaporated water (as needed);
• cooling the aquarium in hot weather.

Assessment of the condition of inhabitants and equipment

This should be done every day. If there are fish and other underwater fauna living in the aquarium, it is necessary to count them, visually assessing their appearance, behavior, and appetite.

It is easier to count fish during feeding, when all individuals rise to the surface. Feeding is carried out 1-2 times a day, depending on the species. It is important not to overfeed!

If the fish show suspicious symptoms, they should be monitored and, better yet, isolated in a separate aquarium designed for this purpose. If dead fish are found, they must be removed from the aquarium immediately to prevent the rest from being poisoned by decomposition products.

The condition of the plants is also assessed daily. Pay attention to the growth areas, remove old, fallen, or rotten leaves. If necessary, unscheduled weeding is carried out.

Next, check the smell, temperature, and appearance of the water, as well as the cleanliness of the aquarium glass. If something seems off during the visual inspection of the water, it is best to conduct unscheduled tests.

It is extremely important to regularly check the condition of all equipment (the integrity of the aquarium, the operation of filters, lighting elements, compressors, heating elements, and the carbon dioxide supply system) . If you find even the slightest malfunction, take immediate action, because even short-term equipment failures can lead to illness or even death of the aquarium inhabitants.

Before checking the equipment and assessing the condition of the aquarium, disconnect the equipment from the power supply. After completing the work, immediately turn on all necessary devices.

Daily care also includes creating suitable conditions by regulating lighting, temperature, aeration, and carbon dioxide enrichment.

Partial water replacement

This is the most important part of caring for a planted aquarium. It is carried out once a week when nitrate levels are high, and less frequently (once every 10 days) when nitrate concentrations are rising slowly. Concentrations are determined by weekly testing.

When changing the water, it is important to follow several rules:

• The water is replaced partially: on average, 25-30%.

Do not immediately dispose of the drained water. It can be used to rinse the internal filters. This is important in order to carefully preserve their beneficial microflora.

You can also water your houseplants with aquarium water. You will be surprised at how they transform and shine with health.

• The replacement water must strictly correspond to the parameters of the water in the aquarium (total and carbonate hardness, temperature, pH, and mineral content).

• Tap water must first be dechlorinated by letting it stand for at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours. If you don't have time, you can use dechlorinators sold in pet stores.

Under no circumstances should water from the hot water supply system be used. This can destroy the aquarium.

• When changing the water in an aquarium, it should be drained gradually. New water should also be added gradually. This is important so that the plants and fish can tolerate the procedure comfortably.

1-Siphon 2-Hoses for draining water 3-Instructions

Drainage can be carried out using a siphon or a bucket with a rubber hose:

1. The end of the hose is lowered into the aquarium.
2. Carefully suck on the other end, drawing in air.
3. Then lower the hose into the bucket, and the water will drain out.

You can also pour water through a hose or even thinner tubes (for example, from a dropper) for this purpose:

1. Place the container with new water above the aquarium.
2. One end of the tube is lowered into the aquarium, while the other is placed in the herbarium.
3. The water will gradually begin to flow into the aquarium.

When replacing the water, it is convenient to add liquid fertilizers to the prepared water.

Video tips for changing the water in an aquarium

Assessment and regulation of water parameters and conditions

It is important to regularly (once a week) check and adjust the water parameters in a timely manner:

• Carbonate hardness (kh)

For herbalists, this indicator is even more important than pH. The optimal value for carbonate hardness is 3-6 dkh. It is checked using special test systems.

• Acid-alkaline balance

PH concentration is measured using special test strip kits. The optimal range for a planted aquarium is 6.5-7.3.

• CO₂. This is the most important indicator for plants. In nature, it is found in water in concentrations of 5 to 30 mg/l, and plants feel comfortable. In aquariums, the indicators are lower. The optimal indicator for an aquarium is 15 mg/l. You can measure the concentration of carbon dioxide using the kh and ph ratio tables. The tables are included in many test kits. You can also use a drop checker or tests.

In small aquariums up to 10-20 liters, carbon dioxide can be added by daily pouring in a small amount of pure carbonated water.

The concentration can be adjusted using special cylinder systems or home methods using braga or an acid reaction.

1. To generate CO₂, you will need: a 1.5-2 liter plastic bottle, water, sugar, yeast, plasticine, a flexible hose, and a diffuser (a rowan branch or a spray cap).
2. Mix the yeast with sugar and place in a bottle, filling it with warm water, but not completely.
3. Make a hole in the lid for the hose and close the bottle.
4. Insert the tube and attach a spray cap or a short rowan branch to the other end for diffusion.
5. Seal the connections with plasticine. Lower the end with the diffuser into the aquarium.

Braga can supply the aquarium with carbon dioxide for up to 3 months. It is important to remove the hose from the aquarium at night because the CO₂ content increases naturally at night.

Video tips on generating CO₂ using braga

• Mineral composition. Despite the fact that plants partially feed from the substrate, they need to be fed with liquid fertilizers enriched with micro- and macroelements. It is advisable to have fertilizers in the form of separate elements (iron, potassium, iodine, etc.) and complex nutrient compositions. The mineral composition is checked with tests. It is best to apply fertilizers during the active growth phase of the plants.

When there are enough fish in the aquarium, there is no point in adding additional nitrogen fertilizers. An excess of phosphorus and nitrogen will lead to the colonization of unwanted algae.

Testing for phosphate groups in water

• Water temperature. The optimal temperature for plants is +24-26 degrees Celsius. It is important to note that overcooling slows down the growth of the underwater garden, while overheating leads to algae growth and fish diseases.
• Oxygen level control. While it is important to supply carbon dioxide to the herbarium during the day, at night it is important to turn on the aeration and compressor systems. This is necessary to ensure the necessary nighttime O₂ levels for plants and fish.
• Nitrate-phosphate balance. It is important to use tests to monitor the content of nitrate and phosphate groups and ammonia in the water, correcting deviations in a timely manner depending on the varieties of plants and fish species.
• Lighting. The aquarium should be lit for no more than 12 hours.

Cleaning the glass

It is usually sufficient to clean the glass once a week. It is best to do this with special aquarium scrapers and sponges. It is better not to use household sponges, as they may contain harmful impurities.

It is convenient to use scrapers with long handles: then you won't even have to get your hands wet. And magnetic scrapers are a real find. Just attach the scraper to the inner glass, and the other part will clean the glass from the outside at the same time.

With the correct length of daylight hours, less plaque forms on aquarium glass. Lighting should not be turned on for more than 12 hours.

Filter system maintenance

The frequency of filter maintenance depends on the filter model and the type of filter materials:

• Mechanical filter elements filtered particles must be removed regularly to prevent them from decomposing. To do this, they are carefully washed under running water. From time to time, the filter materials must be replaced: the frequency is specified in the equipment instructions.
• In chemical filters, consumables should also be replaced regularly: for example, charcoal or peat blocks.
• Biological filters require special care. Only one-third of the base can be cleaned in one go, and it can only be rinsed in water from the aquarium.

Do not turn off biological filters for more than an hour. This will destroy beneficial bacterial colonies. Therefore, it is important to complete the cleaning during this time and return the cleaned material to its place, turning on the filter.

• In combined multi-section filters different types of elements are cleaned separately and according to the type of material.

Substrate cleaning

Cleaning the soil substrate in planted aquariums must be done extremely delicately. Otherwise, you can damage the plants and destroy the beneficial microflora of nitrifying bacteria.

The soil should be cleaned carefully, using a siphon to remove dead particles, impurities, and silt. In a herbarium, gentle cleaning is more important than anywhere else. Many aquarists say that cleaning the substrate once a month is sufficient.

In the first year after starting a herbarium, it is not worth cleaning the soil because the ecosystem has not yet formed.

Features of plant care

You need to monitor the condition of the plants daily, paying attention to the appearance of new leaves in the growth areas. It is equally important to remove dead, fallen, and old leaves in a timely manner and to uproot diseased plants.

It is important to regularly trim and thin out underwater plants (some weekly, some monthly), depending on the external condition of the garden. Trimming is necessary so that light can reach the lower layers of plants, as well as to create an attractive design.

Aquarists give advice on caring for different groups of plants:

• For weakly bushy plants with long stems the top should be cut to the length required for replanting. The stump can be removed or left in place and new shoots can be awaited.
• For highly bushy plants with long stems the tops should be cut 4-7 cm below the expected location of the new crown of young shoots growing on the upper internodes.
• Ground cover and small shrub plants trim evenly as needed to create an aquatic lawn and landscape.

• For bushy plants it is important to remove excess shoots, stems, and overgrown leaves in a timely manner. They must be transplanted very carefully, as their roots take hold of neighboring plants. You can even cut the plant out of the soil for this purpose.
• For ferns and anubias to thin out the plants, cut the rhizomes and sometimes the excessively protruding leaves. It is important to remember that new leaves of Anubias, Microsorum, and Bolbitis do not grow back.

Additional points

• Water in open-top aquariums can evaporate., as a result of which the concentration of harmful substances will increase. To prevent this, it is important to add specially prepared water to the aquarium to the required level. It must be dechlorinated and have the same parameters as in the aquarium.
• In hot weather, it is important to cool the aquarium. You can protect them from the sun with a curtain. You can also add cool water when changing it or hang a bag of ice cubes in the aquarium.
• Lighting elements should be monitored regularly. replace them about once every six months, without waiting for them to burn out. This is important because over time, lamps lose their brightness and their efficiency decreases.

It is important to monitor the aeration equipment, regularly cleaning the diffusers, assessing the flexibility of the hoses, the condition of the pumps, membranes, and removable elements.

This article describes the main features and rules for caring for a planted aquarium. At first glance, it seems complicated, but once you get into the habit, it's not that much trouble. The time and effort spent on maintenance is an investment in the health, beauty, and longevity of your underwater garden.

Creating a beautiful and healthy planted aquarium is a fascinating process that is more like the art of underwater gardening. The main secret to success lies not in one-time efforts, but in regularity and attentiveness. Once you establish a stable care routine, your underwater garden will begin to maintain its balance almost on its own, requiring only minor but important adjustments from you.

Don't chase perfection from day one. A common mistake among beginners is trying to do everything perfectly right away and panicking over the slightest problem. Algae, yellowing leaves, or slow growth are not a disaster, but valuable signals from your ecosystem. Observe, analyze, and act gradually: slightly reduce the light, slightly increase the CO2 supply, add fertilizer. Experiment and find what works for your aquarium.

Ultimately, an aquarium is a living, breathing world that brings incredible peace and aesthetic pleasure. By spending just 20-30 minutes a week on maintenance, you will get a stunning dynamic picture in your home. Enjoy the growth process, change compositions, add new plants, and watch how your inhabitants feel in this green paradise. It is this creative process that makes aquarium keeping such a rewarding hobby.