How to Set Up a Planted Aquarium in 4 Steps
Most planted tanks that struggle were missing something from the start. Get these four things right and plants have everything they need.
A planted aquarium works like a small garden. Plants need somewhere to root, energy from light, carbon to build with and nutrients to grow. When one of those is missing, growth slows and algae moves in. Plan all four before you add water and the tank is far easier to run.
Step 1: Choose your substrate
The substrate is where root-feeding plants anchor and feed. You have three main options:
- Aqua soil, which is packed with nutrients and ideal for demanding plants and carpets
- Nutrient base capped with gravel or sand, which gives roots food while keeping a natural look
- Plain gravel or sand, which is cheapest and works well with root tabs and liquid plant food
See aquarium soil vs gravel vs sand for which suits your tank.
Step 2: Match light and CO₂
Light is the engine of a planted tank. It decides how fast plants grow and how much food and carbon they need. Decide early whether you’re building a low-tech tank with modest light and no CO₂, or a high-tech tank with strong light and injected CO₂.
Low-tech is easier and slower. High-tech grows faster and allows more demanding plants, but needs more care. Read do aquarium plants need CO₂? to help you decide.
Step 3: Pick plants that suit your setup
Choose plants for the tank you have, not the one in the photo. Plant suppliers often mark plants as easy, medium or advanced:
| Level | Typical needs | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Low to medium light, no CO₂ | Anubias, java fern, crypts, mosses |
| Medium | Medium light, regular feeding, CO₂ helps | Ludwigia, hygrophila, Alternanthera ‘Mini’ |
| Advanced | Strong light, stable CO₂, careful dosing | Rotala macrandra, Eriocaulon, glosso |
Plant heavily from day one, and include plenty of fast-growing stem plants and floaters. They use nutrients quickly and leave little for algae. A useful starting mix is mostly fast growers with a few slow plants for structure. Our list of easy aquarium plants for beginners is a good place to start.
Step 4: Set a simple feeding routine
Plants take nutrients from the water and the substrate all the time, so those nutrients need topping up. Without them, growth slows, colours fade and algae takes advantage.
The easiest routine is a small daily dose. With PPS-Pro that’s 1ml per 10 litres of each bottle every day, adjusted to your light. Start dosing as soon as plants go in. Our guide to feeding a new planted tank covers the first six weeks.
Same light hours, same daily dose, same water change day. Planted tanks reward routine more than anything else.
A quick setup checklist
- Substrate chosen and rinsed (if gravel or sand)
- Light on a timer, 6 hours a day to start, building up to 8
- Filter cycled before adding livestock
- Planted heavily, with plenty of fast growers
- Daily plant food ready from day one
- Weekly water change of around 30% for the first month
Quick answers
What do I need for a planted aquarium?
A suitable substrate, a light on a timer, a filter, the right plants for your light, and a regular plant food. CO₂ is optional.
How long should aquarium lights be on in a new planted tank?
Start at about 6 hours a day and build up to 7 or 8 hours over the first month.
When should I start fertilising a new planted tank?
From the first day if you use plain gravel or sand. With nutrient-rich aqua soil, start at a reduced dose after a few weeks.
Can I add fish straight away to a new planted tank?
Wait until the filter has cycled, usually four to six weeks, unless you use mature filter media.
Products mentioned in this guide
Everything to start dosing on day one: pre-measured macro and micro compounds, two 500ml bottles, two dosing syringes and a full dosing guide.
Easiest startBoth bottles already mixed for you. Shake, measure 1ml per 10 litres and dose. No scales, no spoons.
Shrimp safeThe copper-free trace element blend for your micro bottle. Safe for shrimp, snails and other invertebrates.
Copper-free aquarium plant food.
Dose on day one.
Pre-measured compounds, bottles, syringes and a full dosing guide. Shrimp safe, made in the UK, free UK delivery on every order.
Everything you need to get the most from your planted aquarium.
