While aquascaping has been around a very long time, it’s during the last couple of years that the art of underwater gardening has really taken off. By working in a small space, namely a fish tank, it’s a great way to add greenery to your life without needing a backyard, or even a courtyard. Charlie takes a deep dive to take you through the dos and don’ts of this aquatic hobby. Take your time to choose the right plants and design of your aquascape and let the soothing nature of this hobby calm your senses.
WATCH: Charlie make an aquascape fish tank
There’s more to an aquarium than just small fish going round in circles. Make their journey more interesting by creating a simple underwater garden to enliven your indoors while driving your cats crazy! It may be underwater, but an aquarium is still a living landscape, so make it as lovely to look at as live in.
For more information, head to nanotanksaustralia.com.au.
How to make an aquascape fish tank
Gather your supplies
- Aquarium tank
- Microfibre cloth
- Hardscape materials such as rocks, stones, gravel and driftwood
- Aqua soil
- Underwater plants
- Plant tweezers
- Plant glue
- Ornamental gravel or pebbles
- Water heater, pump and filter
- Underwater lighting
- Water ager
- Aquarium fish
Here’s how
Step 1
Clean tank inside and out with microfibre cloth. Don’t use chemicals or bleach, as residue can be harmful to fish and plants.
Step 2
Rinse rocks and driftwood to remove any dirt and/or dust.
Step 3
Do a dry placement of hardscape materials in tank. Photograph finished design to reference later.
Step 4
Place a layer of aqua soil in tank, creating high and low points so the horizon undulates.
Step 5
Add enough water to tank to make soil wet.
Step 6
Place your largest hardscape element, which is usually the driftwood, in the tank as per your photo.
Step 7
Add in other elements such as rocks.
Step 8
Guide plants into soil with tweezers – the smallest at the front of the tank, the largest at the back. You may need to clean roots to remove the growing medium they come in.
Step 9
Glue plants to rocks and driftwood.
Step 10
Mist plants every couple of minutes to stop them from drying out.
Step 11
Put ornamental gravel or pebbles on soil.
Step 12
Install heater, pump, filter and lighting as per product instructions.
Step 13
Slowly add water and appropriate amount of water ager to remove chlorine and chloramine, and to add electrolytes.
Step 14
Wait at least a week before adding fish so ammonia and nitrate/nitrite levels won’t harm them.
Step 15
Float plastic bag your fish come in on top of the water for about 20 minutes before releasing them, so they don’t get temperature shock.
For you to note
- Place your aquarium in a spot with no strong direct sunlight to avoid excess algae growth and temperature fluctuations.
- Be sure the table, bench or desk you’ll sit your aquarium on is sturdy enough to hold the weight of volumes of water – 1L of water weighs 1kg.
- Make sure there is easy access to a power point.
Source sustainably
It may be illegal to take driftwood from beaches, so check with your local authority. Intriguing pieces can be bought from aquarium suppliers.
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