How to setup Low-tech Planted Aquariums
Click Here if you are looking for my guide on Low Tech Planted Tanks. If you are looking for my article on Low Tech+Excel tanks, click here. I hope you found my article on setting up a low-tech planted tank to be helpful. If you have any questions/comments/thoughts or suggestions, please leave me a comment on this page and I can get back to you. Don’t feel intimidated by the massive wall of text in the article. Planted tanks really aren’t all that complicated. The hardest part is putting all the information together, reading it and understanding the basics and science of planted tanks. That hard works been done by me 
so read the article and go setup your Planted masterpiece!
Lastly, it might give you more confidence to know that the tank pictured above is my very first planted tank (and only my second attempt at keeping an aquarium ever)! Good luck!
Hi there,
Great website! I have maintained non-planted aquariums for years, but I’ve just acquired a new 55 gallon and would really like to try a low tech planted aquarium. It is not set up yet. I have ordered Eco-Complete black as my sole substrate. The aquarium came with two 15 W bulbs, so I know I’m going to need to increase the lighting. I hope that’s possible with the existing hood. From there, I’m trying to decide what I need to do. It is my hope to establish this aquarium and be able to sustain my existing 2 gold fish, as well as a compatible algae eater, maybe a rubber lipped pleco or shrimp (as long as the planting gives them sufficient hiding places.) Do you know of anyone who has done this with goldfish? They are very curious fish and can be quite destructive. They are also high waste producers. Do you know which plants would be hardiest and best to start with? Would you recommend water changes due to the amount of waste produced by the goldfish. It currently has a cartridge filter, but I do plan on getting a canister filter when I can afford it. I love the look of the carpeted planted aquariums, which plant do you recommend a novice start with the produce this look? Thank you so much for your time!
Rachel
Hi there,
I just recently set up a 2.5 gallon planted mini-tank and was planning on putting shrimp in there in a couple weeks, and potentially a couple of Endlers livebearers if things go well with the shrimp. However, I checked the pH in the tank and it’s a very high 8.5. There is a piece of driftwood in the tank but it doesn’t seem to be lowering the pH. I read that high pH results from a lack of CO2 but I’d like to stay away from CO2 supplements if possible because I don’t want to overwhelm such a small tank. Any suggestions? Would shrimp mind such a high pH? Could some plants be hurt by it? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!