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.

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

Love shopping with you guys! And you make amazing products from food to filter adapters. And I love that you’re always willing to fix/try new things like when you changed your root tabs and in my opinion made them way easier to use/better 11/10 shop and shopping experience. And thats not even starting on all the info I’ve learned over the years

Great packaging. Fast shipping. Beautiful, healthy plants!

The staff here are so nice and very well informed.

My kids act like it's Christmas every time we get a package from Aquarium Co-op, because they want to see which sticker it is going to be!

Easy to view web page products

Everything came quickly and such an easy site to shop.

Always a quick delivery

So nice to have everything I need in one place!

Love shopping in person and online at Aquarium Coop. I always feel I get value for what I purchase. The store experience is so pleasant. I had someone great me and assist me immediately. I cannot give it a higher recommendation.

The shipping was fast and it came in 4 days. I would recommend Aquarium Co Op wholeheartedly. I am so excited to get my snail and fish this week!

Always easy to navigate and find what I need.

Great experience as always. Fast shipping. Easy shopping. Fair pricing.

💚

I have been very satisfied with everything I've purchased from Aquarium Co-Op. Quality products, and I have yet found a better place to get your aquatic plants.

This is my go-to store!

Aquarium Co op is my most trusted source for all things related to freshwater aquariums.

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Packaging was great, fast shipping, I love collecting the stickers that come with my orders! The prices seem worth it for high quality goods, and the youtube membership discount and review coupons keep me coming back for more supplies

My orders are filled and shipped very fast and reliable. I will always order from aquarium Co op as long as I have fish

You all do a terrific job!

All good!

Thank you 😊

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