Sunken Gardens: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Freshwater Aquariums

Karen Randall’s comprehensive guide to planted freshwater aquariums, covering plant selection, aquarium setup, maintenance, and design. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience and her work with the Aquatic Gardeners Association, Randall has created one of the most thorough and accessible introductions to the planted aquarium hobby available.

Why Start Here

Randall’s greatest strength is her deep knowledge of aquatic plants. “Sunken Gardens” includes detailed profiles of dozens of species, explaining their light needs, growth habits, and ideal placement in the aquarium. This plant-focused approach means you come away understanding not just how to set up a tank, but why certain plants work in certain positions and conditions.

The book covers both low-tech and high-tech approaches, so whether you want a simple, low-maintenance planted tank or a CO2-injected showpiece, you will find practical guidance here. Randall also addresses fish and invertebrate selection as part of the planted ecosystem, helping you build a balanced community that supports rather than undermines your plants.

What to Expect

At 256 pages with over 200 color photographs, this is a thorough reference that rewards both cover-to-cover reading and browsing. The tone is knowledgeable but approachable, reflecting Randall’s years of teaching and writing for hobbyists at every level.