How to Build & Setup Free Planted Aquarium For Angelfish

How to Setup and Build a Free Planted Aquarium for Freshwater Angelfish:

It feels amazing to have a planted aquarium with so many tiny fries swimming around. I had an idea to setup an aquarium for freshwater Angelfish babies. So, I decided to add all the leftover substrates, rocks & stones from my other planted aquariums. I have taken cuttings of stem plants from my other aquariums & have regrown them in this tank. I have used an internal filter from another aquarium & have added cycled biological media to the filter. I have saved money in setting up the Angelfish aquarium because all the stuff is taken from other projects. I have setup this tank for growing Angelfish fries. I have added driftwoods to make the aquarium appealing. River stones scattered around the aquarium & over a sandy bottom, adds beauty to the overall aquarium.

Setup a Planted Aquarium Aquascape For Angelfish

I have added the following plants to this aquarium:

• Water Wisteria
• Rotala
• Ludwigia
• Thin Vallisneria
• Java fern

Steps: Setup a Planted Aquarium Aquascaping for Freshwater Angelfish:

In this video tutorial, we have explained how we have setup an aquarium for freshwater Angelfish fries.

How to Setup an Aquascape in Angelfish Tank?

Step 1:

I have used Tuscan Path - Natural River Stones to make a round corner in an aquarium. Also, I have scattered River Stones over the white sandy bottom to give a beautiful appearance.

Step 2:

Aquarium Gravel is used for the growth of plants. Aquarium Gravel helps the plant in developing healthy root system.

Step 3:

On top of the aquarium gravel, Aqua Earth - Aquarium Soil is used. Aquarium Soil allows plants to develop healthy roots & fix its roots in the soil. 

Step 4:

I have filled a netted pot with both aquarium gravel & aquarium soil substrate, & added thin Vallisneria to it. Gently I pushed the Vallisneria pot in aquarium soil to fix it. Thin Vallisneria is a very popular aquatic plant & is able to grow 50 cm in height.

Step 5:

I have filled another netted pot with substrate & added Water Wisteria to the pot. Water Wisteria can grow up to 50 cm in height. 

Step 6:

I have added more gravel to the pot to keep the plant roots healthy. It won't be easy for the fish to uproot plants if they have strongly fixed its roots in the substrate.

Step 7:

Other aquarium plants including Ludwigia & Rotala are gently pushed in the gravel. Ludwigia & Rotala are both hardy plants that need low care. But if you want Rotala leaves to turn red, then it is recommended to offer high intensity of aquarium lights. 

Step 8:

Plants are hydrated using a spray bottle to keep them moist before adding water to the aquarium. It is important to spray your plants from time to time before adding water to the aquarium.

Step 9:

I have filled the entire aquarium with white sandy bottom except the round corner which is reserved for plants. River Stones will stop aquarium gravels & aquarium soil from mixing with the sandy bottom. Freshwater Angelfish love sandy bottom.  

Step 10:

Driftwoods with Java Fern are added to the aquarium. Java Fern is a hard plant & it simply grows on the driftwood. 

Step 11:

Seiryu Stones are added on the right side of the aquarium. They blend in well with the setup. Seiryu Stones offer a natural look to the aquarium. 

Step 12:

More River Stones are scattered across the aquarium to enhance the beauty of the aquarium. Avoid using stones that have sharp edges because they can hurt your fish. 

Step 13:

I have gently added water to the aquarium so it does not disturb my planted Angelfish aquarium setup. Add water slowly or it might disturb your gravels or you might see your plants floating over the water.

Step 14:

I have taken an internal filter from my other tank. This filter will remove the poop & other debris as well as toxic chemicals from the water. Cycled bio media is taken from my established aquarium. 

Step 15:

Internal filter has 4 compartments. First 2 compartments are filled with high quality sponges that remove solid particles from the water, while the remaining compartments are filled with Seachem Matrix for their efficient cleaning. Seachem Matrix already has useful bacteria because they are taken from an established aquarium. 

Step 16:

Internal filter has a powerhead which produces strong current in the aquarium. I have added a spray bar to the powerhead to reduce the water flow because Angelfish fries do not like high current.

Step 17:

I had gently cleaned the filter sponges with aquarium water, & then added them back to the filter. Then I installed all compartments back in the filter, & installed the filter in the Angelfish aquarium. After cleaning, my filter performed well. 

 

Step 18:

My aquarium cycling has completed successfully. Now it is time to add Angelfish fries in the aquarium. My Angelfish fries liked their new home & they started playing in the aquarium.