I have had a planted aquarium for a couple of years now, and plants have grown ok in it. For a while I have been thinking upgrading to a high growth ‘nature’ aquarium. Inspired by Takashi Amano and the showcase at Aquatic Gardeners, I hope to create something that looks at least 1/2 as good as the ones shown.

These aquariums don’t grow like that by chance. Unfortunately they use a high level of lighting and carbon dioxide (CO2) injected into the water to encourage plant growth and grow the harder plants. So the first thing that will be required in my tank is an upgrade in the equipment used.

At present the current setup is:

Tank: 1/4 Circle tank, 76cm wide, 45cm high, 205 litres (55 gallons)

Filter: Fluval 304, Undergravel Filter

Lighting: 1 x 14 watt 24 inch fluro, 1 x 55 watt 24 inch Compact Power Fluro

Heating: In tank heater

Substrate: Gravel

CO2: None

The tank will remain but the undergravel filter is going to be removed and the gravel replaced. The lighting is going to be upgraded, and CO2 injection used

Tank: 1/4 Circle tank, 76cm wide, 45cm high, 205 litres (55 gallons)

Filter: Fluval 304, No Undergravel Filter

Lighting: 4 x 55 watt 24 inch Compact Power Fluro

Heating: In tank heater, substrate heating

Substrate: Laterite, Peat Moss, Sand

CO2: Pressurised, with constant CO2 montioring

Once the tank is reconfigured I will start to procure the plants for the tank.

Here is a shot of the tank, and a shot of the inside of the tank.