When I wrote the first draft of this article, it was boring. It was boring for me to write, and therefore would probably be boring for you to read. I wanted to cram all of the facts about how plants are awesome filters, how they could be the missing component to get those fish to breed that you just can’t seem to breed, and how the planted tank world offered something for about any personality type; all in dull, scientifically backed rigorous detail of sufficient length to make an article. My goal was to convert some of the casual hobbyists who believed planted tanks were too difficult, or some of the hardcore “fish only” people to convert to planted tanks (or the dark side, if you will).

I realized my approach was wrong for a variety of reasons.

1. It’s difficult to convert someone to the planted tank world via sheer scientific evidence as to why planted tanks are better for their fish or why I like planted tanks. I equate this to someone telling me fruits and vegetables are “good for me” – while true, I still ignore this advise regularly. I can try to drag people into planted aquariums kicking and screaming with all the justification in the world, and they’re reluctant. Show people some of the beautiful planted aquariums out there, or a Takashi Amano book, and their eyes light up.
2. 

   A cherry shrimp shot with a macro lens.

   Planted aquariums are a very multi-disciplinary. You can throw in some java moss into a breeding tank for good measure, or create an entire biome based around your favorite type of fish. If art is more your thing, you can try your hand at creating a beautiful aquascape (color, composition, the two-thirds rule are talked about considerably). If you’re a scientist at heart, there’s discussion communities out there where people debate macro and micronutrients until their eyes glaze over, or how to distribute CO2 most effectively. Even aquarium photography is no easy feat. Not only do you have to deal with subject matter of all kinds of sizes, they move. And there’s the whole bizarre aquarium lighting thing and shooting through glass. What appeals to one type of person won’t appeal to them all.

3. It’s difficult to make a blanket statement like “Planted aquariums are cheap and easy!” because while they certainly can’t be, they aren’t always.
   

   A rimless glass high-tech aquarium

   Many of the aquascaping photos you see are high-tech tanks, with specific plant substrate, pressurized CO2 systems, intense lighting, heavy filtration, special aquascaping rocks, and rimless glass tanks.