Aquascaping Basics

Hi all

I think most of us will agree that at this stage almost everyone is sticking plants in their tanks and hoping it will grow.

But what about true aquascaping?

Found this link and it is very informative, from beginner to more advanced, and makes for a great read on simple terms.
They cover a lot like lights, plants, plans etc.

If you don't like reading check out the amazing tanks.

http://www.aquatic-eden.com/search/label/planted aquarium basics

 

GREAT find Vis ^^, Thanks for sharing.

 

This is realy awsome! Thanx vis!

 

Thanks for the article. I don't have an algae problem at the moment because I don't fertilise (too few plants) but all the aquascaping pics I've been seeing are inspiring me. Thanks

 

Very nice find Vis,i can't aquascape cause i have cichlids.

well anti-plant ones.

 

Thanks Vis will have to take my time reading this.

 

Plants and I don't mix Only vallis and Java moss have ever worked for me...

I somehow managed to kill duckweed at one stage

 

dudes!!! take a look at the 2009 posts and find the one on the aquascaping competition its literally jaw dropping! theres even a hobbit home one! gaaaaa why cant i scape like these guys, i am taking away lots of ideas though

 

I like to fool myself and think that if I had all the equipment these guys had I would be able to do it to.
I like the one that looks like it is at the base of a giant tree.

 

Thats a good excuse vis lol. I'm goin to give it a real go when I redo my betta tank. Im thinkin a small hill on the left side, with caves and moss and maybe a few anubias and then the back drop- amazons and watersprites. A standing stone formation of 3 stones just off centre and on the right, maybe a smaller hill with one cave? The question is where do I fit my drift wood into this, maybe as a tree stump just off centre but opposite to the standing stones. Hmm, I actualy like that idea.

 

I think you should invest in a good pair og trimming siccors. I need to go ask dolphin if he still have some.
Normal straight scissors just don't that good.

 

yeah especially for the moss trimming, that'll be tricky with normal scissors. i wonder if nail scissors would work? they small and pointy and sharp or the ones they use for bonsai.

and thanks for correcting the sms spelling for me gert i do try to not do it but sometimes it creeps in and i dont notice it ;-)

 

Windfire, you have really good ideas. I would love to do something like this cos Snyper is getting some moss for me but I don't know if I have the skills. And special skills required or can a novice have success too?

 

i think you just gota try hey kel-sol. iv never done this kind of major scape before i usually just balance the rock on each other and plant a couple of plants and hey presto leave it at that. but after looking at the pics in the aquascape competion i really want to try do this properly and who knows maybe enter next year when the tank is matured.

 

Hi Kel-So, you have to try it and see were you make mistakes and how plants react to certain things. There is no way of just reading about aquascaping and getting it right. Give it a go, tho worse that can happen is that you need to rescape.
This is why I now only use mosses in my scapes as they grow fast.

 

That explains the signature. Thanks for the advice. Now I need to get my creative juices flowing.

 

have a look at this kel-sol. it the 2009 aquascaping competition theres plenty of inspiration here http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2009.cgi?&op=showpage&name=view-showcase

 

Thanks windfire! I only had a chance to look at the small tanks. Alot of the people used Hemianthus callitrichoides and it looks beautiful. Does anyone out there have experience with this plant?

 

Kel-Sol I know HC need high light and CO2 to grow nice and low.
I a little I am experimenting with.

 

Ok, well I don't have high light or CO2 so i'll have to wait for that. Good luck with the aquascaping though. It looks like a lot of hard work! At the moment my tank has one amazon sword and a couple randoms with some driftwood.