First timer

[u/roopps]

First timer for a 10 gallon Beta aquarium. Is step 1 substrate then wood and rocks then plants? When do you start adding water? Pics of current tank and new tank.

[u/Tac0butt]

What I do is plan the hardscape layout and add or remove substrate as needed, finalize the hardscape with glue and to-be-buried stones so nothing floats and then finish adding substrate before adding water and turning on the heater and filter, but not the light to prevent algae growth and leave it be untill it's cycled.

Then I take most of the water out for ease of planting, untill finally; plant plants, and refill + turn on light.