Discovering the Beauty of Planted Tanks

Over the last year, many customers have approached me looking for planted aquarium products. Some we already kept in stock and many others we have added to our inventory due to popular demand. The repeated requests peaked my interest and got me looking deeper into what makes a planted tank. I have always thought planted tanks as beautiful but mostly shrugged them off. After all I had broken up with freshwater tanks sometime back in my early teens and instead turned my focus to the marine side of the hobby.

Recently I was having an all night email conversation with a customer in South America about his new planted discus aquarium. He shared quite a few pictures of the whole set up and it hit me. Why had I never done an aquarium like this myself? It seems many have thought the same thing lately. A planted aquarium typically consumes less electricity than a reef tank. In addition a planted tank is more stable and requires far less maintenance work. A win-win for those of us that never seem to have enough time in the day. Reefers, please don't be mad(I still have two reef tanks and wouldn't replace them). A planted tank is simply a smart choice that many pass over or never give a thought to.

I attended my first meeting of the Atlanta Area Aquarium Association (AAAA) at Emory University this past weekend. Oddly enough the speaker was giving a talk on planted tanks. The presentation was very good, it included basic husbandry for beginners and more advanced topics of lighting, CO2, fertilizing and chemistry for those with some experience. For anyone in the Atlanta area, I recommend checking out one of their monthly meetings.

I invite those of you who may be considering a planted aquarium to join me and the many others taking the jump. As my first planted tank progresses I will add updates and photos to the blog and website. I am available for assistance setting up your new underwater garden or even to just chat about your tank's progress. I regularly exchange emails with clients around the globe to share ideas and advice. Yes, even I am learning quite a bit! Be sure to check out the Planted Dept for one of the best assortments of planted tank products around, with more coming. Aquariums Unlimited strives to be your one source for aquatic plant products. Why not try out your aquatic green thumb?