You Can Grow Plants

If you’re a newcomer, or you’re on a small budget, you might think creating an attractive planted set-up is out of your reach. But with the right choice of plants and a few key aquascaping techniques, anyone can have a beautiful aquarium!

- George Farmer

Not everyone has the time and money to spend on demanding aquascapes like some of those you see pictured in books, magazines and on the internet. But take comfort knowing that those intricate looking planted tanks and underwater landscapes are often created solely for the purpose of competing with other aquascapers. The owners will spend many hours every week looking after them and hundreds (possibly thousands) of pounds. They will likely have many years of experience under their belt, as well as access to hardscape and plants that are almost unobtainable by most hobbyists.

You can do it!

It’s certainly not impossible for a beginner to create an attractive aquascape on a much smaller budget and a limited amount of spare time for maintenance — I’ve seen the proof of this plenty of times. It’s just a case of choosing appropriate plants and kit and following a few simple aquascaping guidelines.

Choosing your set-up

Your first consideration should be budget. A typical entire planted tank system that includes everything you need can cost as little as £100 if you buy used equipment and scout the internet for plants from other hobbyists. There is an inherent risk with this approach, as kit may not be as reliable as buying new. Buying excess plants from hobbyists is probably less risky but do consider they may not be as healthy as buying new and can come supplied with algae and snails.