5 Things I Wish I Knew About Aquascaping

Have you seen those mind-blowing aquascapes that look like beautiful underwater gardens, and thought to yourself, “How do I make that?” Me too! Since I’m not an aquascaper by any means, I checked out “Sunken Gardens” by Karen A. Randall and “Aquascaping” by George Farmer to see what the experts think are the most important things you need to know to get started with aquascaping.

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#girltalksfish #nanofish #plantedaquarium

0:00 What the experts say about aquascaping
0:57 Design tips and composition for planted tanks
5:49 Common layouts for aquascapes
7:28 Hardscape selection for planted aquariums
8:50 Aquascaping styles for inspiration
12:31 Tips for improving your aquascaping skills

[johnnygee]

If anyone asks, I always refer to my aquascaping style as "abstract" so I can get away with anything and make it seem like I meant to do it. Comes in handy when your niece wants help with designing her tank. Pink gravel + bubbling mermaid + anubias = "abstract".
BTW, congrats on 100K! Well done and well deserved!

[wanderingturtleadventures]

One tip I like is that things look more natural in odd numbers. 1, 3, or 5 rocks, pieces of drift wood, or plants in a cluster. Not always the rule but I’ve definitely found it to be true in most cases.

[brianwong]

I thank you for breaking down, the sometimes intimidating, world of aquascaping so that a newbies, like me, can gain a bit of courage to branch out and give it a try. I am fascinated by the diorama and iwagumi type scapes, but am nervous about the algae issues with the likely small number of plants.

[bunkfossyearsago]

The way Irene poses in the thumbnails makes her look like a professional. Even though I know many people who have been this experienced since childhood, and many who are the prodigies of fish keeping, I would rather come watch her because she feels more like a pro. She is a pro, and the thumbnails are a prime example of why she seems like that.

[jaymiller]

I watch all your videos, but this one really impressed me. I like the way you showcased the experts' advice, then compared it with your actual experience, successful or not so successful. It made me consider what I've currently accomplished, and imagine what I might do differently, next time. That's what a good instructional video should do, in my experience. Well done.

[geraldwalker]

For somebody not specializing in aquascaping you did a mighty fine job.

[tinywing]

awesome! me and my dad are making a aquarium stand and I will definitely save this for later!

[twunderaquatics]

I love trying to aquascape. I've tried several styles but when the summer hits they all turn into Jungles. I always love anything Aquapro does. He's my goto on a lot of things. Great video. 👍

[vincentalaimo]

I always love your content and delivery. You’re very natural on screen! It’s like a friend dropping in to chat xoXo

[condorX]

I just realize you enjoy being a rookie fish keeper for decade😁

[TonyVainosky]

Aquascaping is so much fun. Only been doing it for about 5 months, but I'm now making my own stone/rock structures for in tank use. Really cool making a mini environment for real living things to live (and hopefully thrive) in 😊

[PalJoey-onyi]

How many people realize that those beautifully 'scaped tanks in shows and photos in mags and websites are specifically created for the occasion and MAINTAINING and growing the plants are another thing entirely. There are resources out there on the subject, but we really need a couple of definitive books on the subjects of light and growing plants.

[bugsandbrushes]

What an interesting video. Now I'm even more happy with my first ever aquarium I've recently set up. I guess being an illustrator was a huge advantage for me, since I pretty much applied composition rules to design my tank and it turned out fantastic (yes, I am shamelessly complimenting myself 😬).

[jakesaquaticworld]

Congrats on reaching 100, 000 subscribers!

[dusk]

I love this hobby for the application of science.
But aquascaping is where the science meets art. It's all esthetic with tidbits of horticulture mixed in.
Like landscape design in a small box.

Great tips and good references.

My own experience showed that an extended hardscape-only period was extremely helpful. I had rock and wood only for weeks before putting in substrate. This allowed me to sketch plans and visualize what it could look like.
And it was reorganize a good 8 time before I found something satisfying. Don't rush the hardscape.

The other is an ability to predict the adult size of the plant. This is a key to land scaping. The plant might look great now, but it could triple in size. So put it where it's mature size is appropriate.
Don't scape the tank today, scape the tank 3-6 months from now.

[jimmyjames]

Always enjoy your vids Irene. For a newbie, aquascaping can be a bit intimidating in terms of an ideal "expert" layout. I found a gratifying low tech layout just mimicking natural settings with mopani, dragon stones, java ferns and one anubias petit for some shrimps and snails. With some scissors and forceps I can trim plants easily to keep the growth looking controlled, or I can just let it go like your 'jungle'. Cory at the COOP says that letting the tank 'season' without too much tinkering is the best way forward and that worked for me.

[davidwilds]

Thanks for all the info. Going to check into those books. Also, nice Iverson cameo :)

[jenxu]

My tanks are all jungles at this point...lol! I use rocks wood and plants. I really like my scape to be pleasing to me. My main plan is to find fish that can be together then decor that I like. Jungle is definitely my style!

[DRaquascapes]

Thank you for this. I am a 6 year student of professional aquascapers and I appreciate you introducing and explaining real aquascaping to fish hobbyists.

[cosmoplakat]

I haven't got the artistic talent to do good aquascaping, but did the best I've ever done with Cosmo's tank. My other two aquariums (rehomed) looked disastrous, but it was okay because the fish were happy. Once I'm settled in my new place I'll probably have to live with just another 10 gallon and maybe a couple of small indoor ponds (if breeding shrimp or fish for sale is a possibility). BUT my daughter in law inherited her mother's 75-gallon with 2 goldfish (1 common, 1 shubunkin), so I might be able to help with the upgrade she'll probably need. Not much in the aquascaping department, but setting up a new tank will be fun anyway!