Start a Freshwater/Planted Aquarium

How to Start a Community Freshwater Aquarium

Overview

A community freshwater aquarium brings together peaceful fish species that coexist harmoniously. This guide covers the setup, equipment, stocking strategy, maintenance, and best practices.


Choosing the Right Tank Size

Community tanks perform best when sized generously. Larger tanks provide better water stability, more compatibility options, and reduced aggression.

Recommended sizes:

  • Minimum: 20 gallons
  • Ideal: 25-40 gallons
  • Large communities: 55+ gallons


Essential Equipment

A complete community tank requires reliable and appropriately sized equipment.

Heater: Maintain 75-80°F depending on species.

Filter: Choose a filter with a flow between 4-10x your tank's volume, depending on stocking density.

Lighting: A basic LED is sufficient unless you plan a planted setup, in which case a more optimized plant LED light would be needed.

Aeration: Optional but beneficial for oxygenation.

Thermometer: Necessary for monitoring stability.

Substrate & Decoration: Whether live or fake plants, decoration and rocks for hiding and enrichment are needed.


Substrate and Decorations

Choose a substrate that suits your desired look and the fish species you plan to keep. Smooth gravel or sand is suitable for most community tanks. Add caves, driftwood, or rock formations to provide hiding places and create natural behavior patterns among fish.


Water Preparation and Conditioning

Before adding fish, always treat tap water with a high-quality conditioner. Ensure that the water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) are within acceptable limits. And make sure you have fully gone through the nitrogen cycle before adding any live animals.


Selecting Community Fish

A thriving community tank depends on peaceful species that share similar environmental requirements. Mix mid-water schooling fish, peaceful bottom-dwellers, and small centerpiece species.

Typical community species:

  • Tetras (Neon, Cardinal, Rummy-nose)
  • Rasboras (Harlequin, Chili)
  • Corydora catfish
  • Livebearers (Guppies, Platies, Swordtails)
  • Dwarf Gouramis (one per tank)
  • Angelfish (only in tanks 55 gallons and above)
  • Otocinclus catfish


7. Acclimating and Adding Fish

Introduce fish slowly to avoid overwhelming the biological filtration. Acclimate each group properly. Start with the hardiest species first, but also consider the territory. The largest fish/most territorial should be added near the end or very last so it cannot establish dominance or its “spots” before calmer, more vulnerable species are introduced.


8. Feeding and Daily Care

Feed a variety of high-quality foods, including flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and vegetable-based items, depending on the species. Provide only what fish can consume in two minutes to prevent water contamination. Observe fish daily for behavior, appetite, and overall health.


9. Routine Maintenance

Community aquariums require consistent care to remain healthy:

  • Weekly 30-50% water changes
  • Gravel siphoning
  • Filter sponge rinsed monthly in old tank water
  • Glass cleaning with algae pads as needed
  • Regular observation of fish behavior and compatibility
  • Plant trimming, if applicable


Planted Community Tanks:

1. Benefits of a Planted Community Aquarium

A planted community tank creates a natural ecosystem that stabilizes water chemistry, reduces fish stress, and enhances the overall aesthetic. Plants help oxygenate the water, absorb excess nutrients, and create a more balanced habitat.


2. Choosing the Right Plants

For beginners, choose hardy, low-maintenance species. Intermediate hobbyists can explore more complex stem plants and carpeting species.

Beginner-friendly plants:

  • Anubias varieties
  • Java Fern
  • Amazon Sword
  • Cryptocoryne species
  • Water Sprite
  • Java Moss

Advanced options:

  • Monte Carlo
  • Dwarf Hairgrass
  • Rotala species
  • Ludwigia species
  • Any plants with red in them (they require CO2 to bring out the deep red color)

3. Lighting for Planted Tanks

Plants require consistent lighting. Most community aquariums grow well under moderate LED lighting for 7-10 hours per day. More demanding situations will be based on the type of plants chosen.


4. Substrate for Planted Tanks

Nutrient-rich substrates such as Fluval Stratum, Eco-Complete, ADA Aqua Soil, or Aquavitro Aquasolum make ideal growing media. Alternatively, for "low-tech" plants, root tabs can be added continuously to inert substrates such as sand or gravel.


5. Fertilization and CO2

Low-tech tanks may require only occasional liquid fertilizers or root tabs to replenish trace minerals. High-tech setups with demanding plants benefit from pressurized CO2 systems and full fertilization routines. CO2 may sound daunting, but Ultum Nature Systems makes great, user-friendly products to support your CO2 needs.


6. Aquascaping Principles

A successful planted community tank follows natural design principles: choosing a focal point, creating depth with foreground, midground, and background plants, using hardscape materials like rock and wood to form structure, and using the Rule of Thirds.


7. Stocking Fish in Planted Tanks

Planted tanks pair well with peaceful, plant-safe species, such as those listed above. Avoid plant-eaters like large goldfish or certain cichlids. Many community fish thrive in planted environments and display more vibrant colors and natural behaviors.


8. Ongoing Maintenance for Planted Tanks

Maintenance includes water changes, algae control, trimming fast-growing plants, replenishing fertilizers, and monitoring plant health. Consistency is key to preventing algae blooms and nutrient imbalances.