How to Set up an Aquarium With Live Plants: 14 Steps - wikiHow
Setting up an Aquarium ; 1. Buy a tank that will house your pets and choose a place to keep it. ; 2. Set up a specialty light bulb above the cage to help the ...
Doug Ludemann
This article was co-authored by <anchor>Doug Ludemann</anchor>. Doug Ludemann is the owner and operator of Fish Geeks, LLC, an aquarium services company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Doug has worked in the aquarium and fish-care industry for over 20 years, including having worked as a professional aquarist for the Minnesota Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota. This article has been viewed 211,829 times.
wikiHow Expert Co-author: Doug Ludemann
wikiHow Expert Co-author: Doug Ludemann

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![Doug Ludemann](/images/thumb/b/b6/Doug_Ludemann.png/-crop-320-320-320px-Doug_Ludemann.png)[Website](https://fishgeeks.com/)

# Doug Ludemann

Professional Aquarist

Doug Ludemann is the owner and operator of Fish Geeks, LLC, an aquarium services company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Doug has worked in the aquarium and fish-care industry for over 20 years, including having worked as a professional aquarist for the Minnesota Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota.

* * *

wikiHow's Editorial ProcesswikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. [Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.](/wikiHow:Delivering-a-Trustworthy-Experience)

* * *

## Co-authored Articles (36)

[How to\
\
Take Care of Crayfish\
\
Crayfish, also known as crawfish, crawdads, and mudbugs, are freshwater crustaceans that can easily be kept in a home aquarium. All you need to raise one of your own is a roomy tank, the right kind of food, time, and att...](/Take-Care-of-Crayfish) [How to\
\
Care for Sea Monkeys\
\
Sea monkeys are not actually monkeys and they do not live in the sea. In fact, sea monkeys are a hybrid breed of brine shrimp created in the 1950s that soon became popular as easy to care for pets and an easy, nutritious...](/Care-for-Sea-Monkeys) [How to\
\
Know when Your Goldfish Is Dying\
\
Goldfish can make for fantastic pets no matter where you live. Although they’re generally very easy to take care of and quite low maintenance compared to other pets, goldfish can get sick and die if not taken care of p...](/Know-when-Your-Goldfish-Is-Dying) [How to\
\
Take Care of Your Carnival Goldfish\
\
Winning a goldfish at a carnival can be an exciting moment. However, caring for your new goldfish is a serious undertaking. Your goldfish will need a properly sized home, clean water, and a proper diet to help it stay h...](/Take-Care-of-Your-Carnival-Goldfish) [How to\
\
Save a Dying Goldfish\
\
If you own goldfish and love having them as pets, it can be very distressing if they show signs of dying. There are many reasons a goldfish may die, from disease to depression. But by taking early steps, you may be able ...](/Save-a-Dying-Goldfish) [How to\
\
Set Up a Freshwater Crayfish Farm\
\
Looking to get into the commercial fish farming business? Crayfish are a highly profitable option. While it can be a little time consuming to set the farm up, the crayfish themselves are quite easy to care for once they ...](/Set-Up-a-Freshwater-Crayfish-Farm) [How to\
\
Prepare Fruits and Vegetables for Goldfish to Eat\
\
It's easy to think that goldfish get all of their nutrition from pellets or flakes, but they need fiber that comes from fresh produce. Select a variety of ripe fruits and vegetables and clean them well. Then peel the pro...](/Prepare-Fruits-and-Vegetables-for-Goldfish-to-Eat) [How to\
\
Set up a Fish Tank (for Goldfish)\
\
You’ve probably seen pet goldfish kept in small glass bowls, but goldfish are actually much happier and healthier in bigger tanks with filters, gravel, and decorations. If you’re not sure how to start setting up your...](/Set-up-a-Fish-Tank-(for-Goldfish)) [How to\
\
Transport Fish\
\
Aquariums are wonderful hobbies, and fish are great pets for many people. When you get fish, you expect to leave them in their tank and not move them. However, if you are relocating, you may not want to give your fish aw...](/Transport-Fish) [How to Do a Partial Freshwater Change for Stable Water Chemistry\
\
An expert-backed guide to keeping your fish happy and preserving beneficial bacteria\
Freshwater fish make pretty low-maintenance pets…until it’s time to change the water. Water changes might not be the most fun part ...](/Do-a-Water-Change-in-a-Freshwater-Aquarium) [How to Remove Algae from a Pond without Harming Fish\
\
There are a lot of methods and products to remove algae from a pond, but which ones are safe for the fish swimming below? Algaecides contain harsh chemicals that you’ll want to avoid, but thankfully there are a variet...](/Remove-Algae-from-a-Pond-Without-Harming-Fish) [How to\
\
Raise Sea Monkeys\
\
Sea monkeys are a type of brine shrimp. Since the late-1950s, they have been a popular starter pet for many children and young teens. This is because they are inexpensive and very easy to care for. They can also live up ...](/Raise-Sea-Monkeys) [How to\
\
Take Care of Goldfish\
\
Goldfish can be rewarding and medium-maintenance pets but aren't perfect for beginners. Although goldfish require as much care and equipment as most aquarium fish, an aquarium that is too small will eventually kill your ...](/Take-Care-of-Goldfish) [How to\
\
Take Care of Your Fish\
\
Fish make beautiful and entertaining pets. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, there are a few basics of fish ownership that are important to follow. Ensure that they are comfortable and healthy by getting the right...](/Take-Care-of-Your-Fish) [How to\
\
Set Up a Freshwater Aquarium\
\
Having a freshwater aquarium is a wonderful way to bring nature into your home. Setting up a new aquarium is easier than it looks at first glance. The scope of gadgets and accessories on the shelves in pet stores is inti...](/Set-Up-a-Freshwater-Aquarium) [How to\
\
Lower Your Nitrate/Nitrite Levels in Your Fish Tank\
\
Having a problem with high nitrate levels? There are 4 common causes of high nitrate levels. These include infrequent maintenance, overfeeding, a crowded tank, and bad water from the tap. It’s easy to test and adjust t...](/Lower-Your-Nitrate/Nitrite-Levels-in-Your-Fish-Tank) [How to\
\
Clean a Goldfish Tank\
\
Your goldfish’s aquarium is their home, playground, and ecosystem all in one, which means it’s super important to keep it clean and tidy. The better part of proper tank maintenance is keeping up with regular water ch...](/Clean-a-Goldfish-Tank) [How to\
\
Raise Brine Shrimp\
\
Brine shrimp are a nutritious and easy to raise feed for tropical and marine life. Although there are plenty of artificial dietary options, brine shrimp provide important lipids, vitamins, and amino acids many fish need....](/Raise-Brine-Shrimp) [How to\
\
Feed Goldfish\
\
Properly feeding your goldfish is essential to ensuring that he has a happy and healthy life. Overfeeding, feeding the wrong types of food, and not properly preparing the food are common mistakes that goldfish owners wil...](/Feed-Goldfish) [How to\
\
Grow Freshwater Aquarium Plants\
\
Freshwater aquarium plants are a beautiful addition to your home and provide several benefits for your fish. Living plants will remove nitrates from the water, improving the quality of the water and reducing algae growth...](/Grow-Freshwater-Aquarium-Plants)

See more articles

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