Aquascape Aquarium and the Golden Ratio Part Two

Protagonist in aquarium aquascape

From the perspective of the protagonist in aquarium aquascape, there are mainly five styles, including fish-oriented and rocks-supplementary, fish-oriented and plants-supplementary, plants-oriented and fish-supplementary, integration of fish and landscape, and three-dimensional style. Following this part, we will walk you through something you need to know about aquarium aquascape styles. So let’s dive in.

1. Fish-oriented and rocks-supplementary

Featuring diverse shapes and sizes of live rocks, a mountain landscape will be formed in your aquarium, including styles of plates, peaks, stone forests, cliffs, caves, or others. However, schools of colorful and vibrant fish should be the focal point. Fish swim around the aquarium, which improves the ornamental values. Moreover, here is one tip. The rocks or other aquarium decorations should be hard but smooth, and soluble compounds free.

2. Fish-oriented and plants-supplementary

When it comes to fish-oriented and plant-supplementary styles, schooling fish should be the first choice, like neon tetras and zebrafish. And fish similar in size are the best alternative. As for the aquarium decorations, just add some aquatic plants.

3. Plants-oriented and fish-supplementary

Imagine that, the light shines on the plants, and some fish swim around the aquarium. Is there an attractive picture formed in your mind? Exactly, it is feasible to add substrate to your tank, and then plant different types of plants, including tall, relatively short, or floating ones. But you should avoid too many types. At the same time, you can introduce some small fish. They will add color to your aquarium. Nonetheless, you should pay attention to the plants’ layout. Otherwise, your aquarium will be a mess. For instance, tall plants are usually placed in the back of a tank, while short ones are in the front.

4. Integration of fish and landscape

The integration of fish and landscape style is not fish-oriented or landscape-oriented. Actually, it is just like a combination. Various fish species are introduced to the aquarium, while there are other aquarium decorations, including aquatic plants, rocks, stone, caves, wood, artificial aquarium pavilions, and others.

5. Three-dimensional style

Aquariums of three-dimensional style will take up a lot of space. The aquarium indoors should be kept space from the walls. And there are no covers around the aquarium, which allow light to penetrate the aquarium. In general, the three-dimensional style aquariums will be built in restaurants, the hall of a villa, or somewhere with enough room.

Before we get into the details of the most popular aquarium aquascaping styles, let’s review the aquascaping styles mentioned in Part One.

Next, we will cover the last 10 aquascaping styles in this segment.

1. The Terraqueous Plants Aquascaping Style

Generally, the rocks are placed in the back of the aquarium, and the rocks can be above the aquarium water surface. Then, it is feasible to plant aquatic plants on the substrate or rocks. On the other side, you can also divide the aquarium into two parts – the front and back. The back part can be used as a filter cell, and it is feasible to place rocks above the cell. In addition to this, you can decorate the aquarium with artificial aquarium buildings, figures, or other aquarium accessories.

2. The Marsh and Plants Aquascaping Style

The Marsh and Plants Aquascaping Style consists of herbaceous plants and marsh aquascaping, sphagnum and marsh aquascaping, as well as aquarium wood and marsh aquascaping. Specifically, the herbaceous plants and marsh aquascaping feature wetting soil and standing water. And moss and plants from the Poaceae family are used in aquascaping aquariums. Besides that, sphagnum and marsh aquascaping need sufficient water, low temperature, and nutrients supplement. And you can add some small and hardy aquatic plants. Additionally, wood and marsh aquascaping includes wood and plants. It is feasible to plant some moss on the wood. Also, other plants in the aquarium should adapt to the wetting soil.

3. The Clump-shaped Plants Aquascaping Style

The Clump-shaped Plants Aquascaping Style is ideal for offices, homes, or anywhere with limited space. A necessary tool can be a fish bowl or other available utensils. Then, knead the turfy soil with some water, and wrap it with moss. After that, add plants. Finally, give it some water.

4. The Vivarium Aquascaping Style

The Vivarium Aquascaping Style mimics the rainforest scenery. Generally, you should add an aquarium lid to maintain high humidity. Aside from that, the aquariums of the Vivarium Aquascaping Style demand lighting, temperature, oxygen level, and others. Consequently, it is best to add an aquarium light, an aquarium heater, an aquarium air pump, or other necessary aquarium equipment.

5. The Cichlid Fish Aquascaping Style

The Cichlid Fish Aquascaping Style aquariums are not difficult to set up, which mainly include cichlid fish, some aquarium decorations, and pieces of aquarium equipment. Compared with planted aquariums, they need less time to maintain. Commonly, rectangular aquariums are better alternatives. Because it makes rock and stone selections easier. And you should avoid rocks and stones with sharp edges. Or it may cause injury to fish.

Next, we will share an example. You can use white sand as a substrate. In this case, it is recommended to choose black, gray, or off-white rocks. As for the light, blue light is best. Furthermore, adding some aquatic plants is feasible.

6. The Stream Aquascaping Style

The stream Aquascaping Style aquariums also mimic the natural scenery. In general, rocks, stone, aquarium sand, or gravel are applied to create rivers or streams in the aquarium. The stones or rocks are not in the same shapes or sizes. Moreover, you can introduce some freshwater shrimp, and add some aquatic plants along the stream.

7. The Nature Aquascaping Style

The Nature Aquascaping Style aquariums take the nature aquascape scenery as the prototype. Compared with planted tanks, they are easier to build and maintain. And they are lower-cost options. Because they are not demanding lights, carbon dioxide levels, filtration systems, or others.

8. The Saltwater Aquarium Aquascaping Style

The Saltwater Aquarium Aquascaping Style aquarium may be classified into saltwater fish aquariums, soft corals aquariums, hard corals aquariums, and other types. They are varicolored and attractive.

9. The Reptilian Pets Aquascaping Style

Reptilian Pets Aquascaping Style? Yep, sounds interesting, right? Definitely, it is feasible to keep reptilian pets in aquariums, in addition to fish, shrimps, and plants. Crabs, snails, lizards, axolotls, and turtles are excellent alternatives.

10. The Hardscape Only Aquascaping Style

Just as the name implies, some are no aquatic plants in the Hardscape Only Aquascaping Style aquariums, which only consist of stones, rocks, wood, tree trunks, and other hard landscapes.

In short, no matter which aquarium aquascape style you choose, it is vital to determine the aquarium layout before starting aquascaping. For additional aquascaping styles, you can read the part one article – Aquascape Aquarium and the Golden Ratio Part One.

That’s it. Hope you will have an enjoyable aquascaping experience. Finally, thanks for taking the time.