A Beginner's Guide to Aquascaping

Welcome to the wonderful world of aquascaping! This guide is designed to help you, the beginner, navigate the basics of creating a beautiful underwater landscape. Aquascaping is more than just putting some plants in a fish tank; it's an art form.

1. Choose Your Style

There are several popular styles of aquascaping, including the Nature Aquarium style, Iwagumi, and Dutch. For beginners, the Nature Aquarium style is often the most forgiving. It aims to create a scene from nature, like a forest or a meadow.

2. Hardscape is Key

The 'bones' of your aquarium are the hardscape materials: rocks and driftwood. Arrange these first to create a focal point and sense of scale. Remember the rule of thirds for a more natural and appealing layout.

3. Plant Selection

Start with easy-to-grow plants. For the foreground, a carpeting plant like Marsilea Hirsuta is a good choice. For the midground, consider Cryptocoryne wendtii. And for the background, Vallisneria can create a nice curtain effect. Research each plant's light and nutrient requirements before you buy.