Getting Started with Aquarium Plants

Live plants add so many benefits to an aquarium, such as natural beauty, water purification, and enrichment for your fish. However, it can be a bit daunting to set up your first planted tank. Not to worry – follow our step-by-step guide to learn all about aquatic plants and how to care for them.

Step 1: Choose Your Aquarium Plants

We recommend that you start with easy, beginner-friendly plants that don't need a lot of light. These species are more forgiving of beginner mistakes and also require less maintenance in general.

Step 2: Choose a Light for Aquarium Plants

Once you have found your favorite plants, it's time to choose the light. Your plant selection will impact whether you need high lighting or low lighting, so research the needs of your plants and then watch the following video that explains how to pick the right planted aquarium light. We also have an LED Aquarium Lighting Guide that recommends specific products based on the size of your fish tank.

Step 3: Choose a Substrate for Aquarium Plants

Your plant selection also affects what type of substrate or ground covering you need for the bottom of your tank. Some plants like anubias and java fern don't require any substrate, whereas others like sword plants and cryptocoryne plants need nutrients in the substrate for their roots to consume.

Step 4: Set Up Your Planted Aquarium

Once you have finished the research phase and gathered the necessary materials for your planted tank, it's time to put all the pieces together. Before you get started, watch this video from beginning to end to make sure you have everything you need.

Step 5: Feed Your Aquarium Plants

Congrats on setting up your first planted aquarium. Now let's focus on what it takes to keep the plants alive. In general, plants need sufficient lighting and nutrients to grow, so learn how to create a happy and healthy environment for them to thrive.

Step 6: Minimize Algae in Your Planted Tank

Algae is a common issue that pops up in all planted aquariums, even those kept by the most veteran aquascapers. While algae is a natural part of the aquarium ecosystem, most people don't like the way it looks. Find out the best ways to get rid of algae and minimize its growth in the long term.

Step 7: Address Any Plant Nutrient Deficiencies

If you find that your plant growth is stunted, the leaves are discolored, or the stems keep melting away, your plants may be missing certain nutrients. Learn how to spot the symptoms and fix the deficiencies to grow healthy plants.

Always wonderful. The site is easy to use (a little too easy).

good

Great product perfect for my betta tank. doesn’t take ip much room, quiet and easy to assemble.

Had one plant not make the journey. Customer service was excellent and refunded immediately. Great company

I love shopping at aquarium co-op online! It was easy to navigate for someone coming into the hobby. Lots of great products with good descriptions to help me find what I need.

Aquarium Co-op is best in class with great selection, service and super fast delivery. Spend enough to get a free shirt as they’re great too!!!

I love Aquarium Co-op products!!! This is the best place for me in this hobby.

Aquarium Coop quality has been consistently good since they started, and still improving every purchase. Good for beginners and experienced hobbyists.

Aquarium Co-Op was my number one source for all things aquatic before I ever had a tank. The blog and YouTube channel were paramount to my research. When the time came to set up my kid's 30 gallon and then my own 75 gallon- Aquarium Co-Op was my first stop. I was able to get everything online that I needed (except the tank) and I've had phenomenal success with both tanks. I run their easy flow sponge filters and use several of their filter media options in my canister. I also use their magic feed food and easy green fertilizer. I swear by the measuring jar (looks like a glass you'd take a swig of your favorite fermented drink)- and I also love the dual ended scoop. Everything is easy to find on the website and their customer service is top notch!

I recommend it

Plants were packaged so nicely and suffered no melt in my tank. I was worried because it’s a long trip to WA state but everything arrived in good condition.

Great company. Just change main shipping company. Amazon is not keeping up with their volume as they grow..

Everything came healthy and well wrapped

You guys are great!! Not a fan of you using Amazon Delivery Service only complaint..

Ordered an Anubsis Berberi. It was beautiful, packaged well and great condition.

I recommend Aquarium Co Op to all my aquarium friends. Great products, customer service, and educational posts.

Thank you 🙏

good website, fast shipping, decent prices

Never had any issues!

To be very honest, I was very surprised with the contents. Originally, I thought they were going to be sample packets of various items. I received full size items and they are all useful, wonderful items that will be placed on our raffle table. I am excited to see what next months items will be!

Looks like you have worked this in to a good business, though my guess is you make way more money on your mail order, self promotion to the next level of this business by creating Aquarium Co-Op branding. Beleive it or not I am more interested in you warehouse process and what improvement you have made. The way you run you quality insurance, your pick process, packing process, etc.

Always good to buy stuff from Aquarium Coop. The absolute best!

I’ve never had a bad interaction

Always in stock

Great products. East check out. Quick shipping. What else can you ask for?

My son’s first 30 gallon is thriving 40 days in.

I bought a bunch of products, some that arent aquarium coop products and some that are. Pleased to have found a Cyanobacteria treatment from Fritz and Xtreme foods. Easy flow sponge filter is great it can create a lot of bubbles. Other niche products like Easy shrimp and Snails is a great addition. Ziss Air Valve is very reliable compared to Petsmart valves that feel cheap and dont completely close or come off. I come here for Quality products I can trust

This is my second time ordering and it was kind of a disappointment due to one of the plants being completely dead.

Great products. Better prices then at my local shops. Fast shipping. Placed several orders, and have been very happy

Very professional company. Will be doing a lot more business.

I was concerned about shipping to the West Coast, but all plants arrived healthy, and were packaged securely. They're are planted and growing with the help of Easy Green and Easy Root Tabs. I do like these Root Tabs better, they don't float up to the top like the previous ones. All the other items i purchased are staples and will be used when needed. All and all my experience shopping on the co-op site has been perfect, like i expected. Thanks Aquarium co-op ! Sue B.

Everything was perfect, quality at a reasonable price, excellent shopping experience.

The online store is a breeze and searching for the things I need for my aquarium hobby are intuitive and lots of suggested pairings that I didn't realize went together!? How cool is that! Excellent job Cory keep up the great work!

One satisfied customer.

Aquarium coop is always quick to ship. They have the best liquid fertilizer to keep me coming back.

Best customer service hands down. Can’t beat it.

As always the best customer experience in the industry

This company has the best customer service in the industry!!!

Shopping with Aquarium Co-Op is always a seamless experience. Their website is easy to navigate, shipping is super fast, and everything arrives packaged with great care.

Staff are knowledgeable and helpful with anything you need.

Always great experience

Great procedure and quick shipping

Ive been shopping with Aquarium Coop since 2019. They continue to innovate and stay comparative price wise. On top of that they are ethical and continue to grow the aquarium hobby.

Great service, has always been timely and without issue.

Great company......Love Cory! He is so knowledgeable and so down to earth. He is genuine.

Great selection of plants which changes daily so you know they have a good turnover. Will continue to do business with the co-op.

Super fast shipping and reliable products.

I like the coop

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