The low-tech Planted Aquarium

Many of us are leading ever busier lives and in this time of economic uncertainty our hobbies may be taking up less of our attention. One of my friend once wrote to me that he wants to have a planted tank at home but due to this recession and economic turmoil and also hectic corporate life he is unable to start one.

I couldn’t consider a high tech planted aquarium, as I cannot justify either the time or the expense.

I know other people are in the same position — we can still keep attractive planted tanks without resorting to the relatively expensive and high maintenance techniques demanded by high-tech planted tanks.

Nano or not?

When choosing an aquarium a first consideration is tank size. Smaller tanks or nanos, aquariums under 40 l/10 gal, are popular, with excellent kits that include almost everything needed to get started. These are perfect for those on a budget and with limited space. 

However, due to their small volume, environmental stability is reduced, so careful stocking and regular maintenance is a must. If you go on holiday regularly, for example, avoid a nano unless you can get someone trustworthy to look after it in your absence.

There is a a greater availability of nano-friendly fish and plants nowadays, but care should still be taken not to overstock with fish. Smaller nanos, of around 10-25 l/2.2-5-5 gal volume, make ideal shrimp-only tanks and a wide variety is available.

Shrimp demand high water quality, so ensure the filter is matured by using fishless cycling before adding any livestock. If you can afford the initial outlay and space then larger aquariums offer more options for stocking and a greater stability. 

Using appropriate techniques, larger tanks can almost be neglected with regards water changes and left to mature with minimal maintenance. This is not really achievable in a nano aquarium as the water may not be stable enough.

Less lighting is more!

Major pruning sessions are required to keep aquascapes in hi-tech tanks in check. Some relish this 'gardening' but for many the time pruning could be better spent elsewhere. If you want slower growth simply lower lighting intensity and/or the photo period. However, lower it too much and plants will suffer.

The trick is to stick with lower light tolerant plants. The classic low-light selection include Cryptocoryne, Anubias, mosses, Java ferns and some stems plants such as Hygrophila polysperma and Limnophila sessiflora. 

Interestingly, recent advances in nutrient management, specifically off-the-shelf liquid carbon products, have made it possible to grow plants once seen as impossible in lower lighting.

Photoperiods can be cut to as little as six hours and this not only limits growth but your electricity bill too! In larger aquaria you can grow almost any plant with two T5 fluorescent tubes with reflectors, but you will need to add nutrients on a regular basis to help achieve healthy growth.

Lower lighting also restricts nuisance algae growth. The tank is much more forgiving as regards minor maintenance lapses, such as a skipped water change or filter clean. These would otherwise be punished in a tank with high lighting and CO2 injection.

Fluorescents remain popular and two lamps with reflectors should be regarded as the minimum for most set-ups. Always use a plug-in timer to ensure a regular photoperiod.

Super substrates

Investing in a decent substrate is probably one of the wisest moves a planted tank owner can make, especially if you don’t wish to rely on religiously dosing liquid fertilisers. Plants with roots can obtain almost all their required nutrients from the roots, so providing them with a nutritious substrate is important. 

You can easily convert existing plain gravel or sand substrates into a plant-friendly one by inserting tablets or capsules around your chosen plants. Most products will give several months’ supply of nutrients, so represent good value for money.

If intending a major tank overhaul then replacing a plain/inert substrate with a dedicated complete substrate or substrate additive topped with plain gravel/sand is a good idea. Much beneficial bacteria are present in your old substrate so keep some or mix with your new product. Keep an eye on ammonia and nitrite levels to ensure your filter is coping with the overhaul.

CO2 alternatives

I produce CO2 with sugar mixed water and dry active yeast in carbonated drink bottles which last for a week. I use a check valve with a bubble counter which ensures 1 bubble of CO2 in every 3 seconds. I will post how to produce CO2 in a separate article over this week-end, however if you need to know more on this you can write back to me, it easy, cheap and effective. However if you are using pressurised CO2 system and it requires necessary re-fills. It is potentially safer too, as overdosing CO2 is probably the single biggest fish killer in a planted tank.

Planting

If low maintenance is your aim then best avoid stem plants as these require regular pruning and sometimes re-planting.

Most carpeting plants are to be avoided too as they need frequent maintenance to keep them healthy and to stop overgrowth.

Mosses are generally slow growing in most set-ups but are magnets for detritus and can quickly become clogged with debris, and that can lead to unsightly algae. 

The best low maintenance plants are rosette species such as Cryptocoryne, Vallisneria, Aponogeton and Echinodorus. Of these the crypts are the slowest growing and come in smaller varieties.

Vallisneria, Echinodorus and Aponogeton are better for larger aquaria due to their potential sizes, although there are some smaller Echinodorus species available such as E. tenellus.

Vallisneria nana is ideal for smaller tanks too, due to its finer leaves, but can grow very tall. Vallis can quickly dominate the tank, so remove excess plants by pruning the runners and pulling the desired plants free from the substrate. 

To keep other rosette plants in check remove the desired leaves from the rhizome. 

Other suitable low-maintenance species include those that attach to décor such as Java fern, Bolbitis and Anubias. Fix them to the wood or rocks with zip-ties and simply watch them grow. Then remove unwanted leaves at the rhizome.

What is a hi-tech planted tank?

An aquarium dominated with aquarium plants with plenty of light, water-column nutrients, CO2 injection, nutrient-rich substrate and moderate to high circulation levels can be described as a hi-tech planted tank. 

There can be combination's of all the above and some aquariums will have extras such as LED lighting, substrate heating and pH/CO2 controllers and ultra violet substrate sterilizers. 

Your benefits are great plant health and growth rates, and the ability to grow any desired aquarium plant — so potentially leading to the most stunning aquascapes. Downsides are relatively high maintenance levels and high initial setting up and running costs.