Creating an aquarium with an aquascape concept has become popular. This concept transforms an aquarium into a beautiful underwater landscape that resembles a fish’s natural habitat. So, how do you start creating an aquascape?
Aquascaping may seem complicated for beginners since this concept is not only about placing rocks or decorative ornaments inside an aquarium. Some techniques and artistic creativity are required to create an aquascape that resembles a natural underwater environment.
To help you create a beautiful aquascape that is perfect for home decoration, this article will share some steps for creating one and tips for maintaining it. Explore the full explanation below.
What Is an Aquascape?
Aquascaping is the art of designing a freshwater ecosystem in an aquarium to recreate the beauty of an underwater natural environment. Unlike a standard aquarium, an aquascape highlights a harmonious balance of plants, rocks, driftwood, and ornamental fish to create an aesthetic composition.
In addition to enhancing the visual appeal of home decoration, an aquascape can also support a healthy underwater ecosystem for plants and fish.
How to Create an Aquascape
There are several steps to creating an aquascape. Here is a detailed explanation of each step:
1. Prepare the Materials
The first step in creating an aquascape is preparing all necessary materials. These materials include an aquarium as you preferred, a substrate such as sand or gravel, specialized fertilizer for aquatic plants, rocks, driftwoods, aquatic plants, and supporting materials, such as a filter, lighting, and a CO2 system if necessary. Additionally, make sure to prepare clean water that is free from harmful chemicals, such as chlorine.
2. Set Up the Aquarium Base
Once all materials are ready, the next step is to prepare the aquarium base. The substrate plays an important role as a medium for plant roots to grow and absorb nutrients. Spread the substrate evenly across the bottom of the aquarium in a layer around 2–3 cm thick, depending on the type of plant you want to grow.
You can also shape the contour by making the substrate higher at the back than at the front to add visual dimension and create a sense of depth in an aquascape. Make sure the substrate used is clean and free from any harmful substances that could affect the aquarium ecosystem.
3. Spread the Fertilizer
After setting up the substrate, the next step is to spread specialized fertilizer for aquatic plants. The fertilizer is an essential source of nutrients for plants, especially as most of the nutrients are absorbed through the roots. Applying the right fertilizer can help the plants grow well and support the aquascape ecosystem.
4. Decorate the Aquarium with Rocks
Rocks and driftwood are essential elements in an aquascape to create a natural structure and aesthetic appeal. The placement of rocks should be done carefully to create an appealing layout.
You can also use a larger rock as a focal point, then surround it with smaller rocks around it. Choose rocks that do not alter the chemical composition of the water, such as volcanic or slate rocks. In addition to rocks, driftwood can add natural texture and atmosphere, enhancing the visual appeal of an aquascape.
5. Plant the Aquatic Plants
Once the rocks and driftwood are placed, the next step is to add aquatic plants. Use tweezers to plant them carefully to make sure the roots are properly anchored in the substrate.
Choose plant species that are suited to your aquarium's lighting conditions and CO2 requirements. Some plants commonly used for aquascapes include Vallisneria, Cabomba, Echinodorus, Spatterdock, and Tiger Nymphaea Lotus, as well as aquatic grasses.
6. Install the Filter and Supporting Components
A filter and other supporting components, such as aquarium lighting and CO2 systems, play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem in an aquascape. The filter keeps the water clean by filtering debris and supports the biological process of breaking down waste.
Proper lighting is needed to support plant photosynthesis, and you should make sure it matches the type of plant. If you choose plants that require more CO2, installing a CO2 system is recommended.
7. Add Ornamental Fish
Once the plants, filter system, and lights are well established, you can add ornamental fish. However, it is recommended to wait about 2–3 weeks after the aquarium starts operating to allow the nitrogen cycle to stabilize.
Choose fish species that are appropriate for the size of your aquarium and the aquascape environment. Several types of ornamental fish commonly used in aquascapes include neon tetras, guppies, and Corydoras. Make sure the fish do not harm the plants and are suitable for your aquarium’s water conditions and temperature.
8. Perform Regular Treatment
Regular maintenance is essential to keep the aquascape healthy and beautiful. This includes changing around 20–30% of the water in the aquarium every week to maintain good water quality, trimming fast-growing plants, and cleaning the filter regularly for optimal performance.
Read also: 8 Ways to Keep Your Environment Clean to Stay Healthy!
Tips for Maintaining Your Aquascape
Once you have created an aquascape, some maintenance tips are also essential to help maintain the ecosystem in the aquarium. Here are several tips for maintaining your aquascape:
1. Avoid Putting Your Hands in the Aquarium
Avoid putting your hands into the aquarium or playing with the aquarium water. Hands may carry oils and dirt, which can contaminate the water and affect the health of plants and fish. However, if you need to rearrange the position of plants in the aquarium, wash your hands thoroughly beforehand.
2. Place Your Aquarium in a Cool Location
Position your aquarium in a place away from direct sunlight to maintain a stable water temperature. High temperatures in water may affect the quality of water and disrupt the balance of aquarium ecosystems.
3. Fertilize Aquatic Plants Regularly
Fertilizer is essential for supporting plant growth. Apply the fertilizer regularly according to the recommended dose to keep aquatic plants green and healthy. With proper nutrition, aquascape will remain appealing, which can enhance your room’s aesthetics.
4. Avoid Adding Extra Oxygen
Aquascapes with live plants usually produce sufficient oxygen for fish. Unless there is a serious issue, it is not necessary to add an aerator or oxygen source to the aquarium.
5. Avoid Draining the Aquarium Completely
During a water change, replace only about 20–30% of the water every week. Avoid draining an aquarium completely, as it can disrupt the ecosystem balance, causing plants and fish to become stressed.
That is the complete explanation of how to create an aquascape for beginners. In general, making an aquascape is not only about decorating an aquarium, but also about creating a balanced ecosystem for fish and plants inside the aquarium.
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