Welcome to ScapeCrunch
We are ScapeCrunch, the place where planted aquarium hobbyists come to build relationships and support each other. When you're tired of doom scrolling, you've found your home here.
Social Feed
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
ScapeCrunch family,
As many of you know, I am a big fan of aquarium automation to function as a tool helping you with aquarium husbandry. This not only makes your life easier but also helps to maintain consistency when we get lazy or busy and can even save the day in case of an emergency. This is why I long ago invested in the Neptune Apex system.
The problem has been that it there is a large upfront cost to get started with automation and the leading companies have decided to use the closed-ecosystem model that requires you to purchase their products rather than allowing you to use whatever products you may choose. While I appreciate that this gives the company more controller of how products interact with the controller, it also means you are at their mercy when things go wrong. It would be better for a company to focus on doing one thing well (i.e., controllers) and let other companies do what they do best (i.e., lighting, pumps, dosers, etc.). Now we have an automation option that does just that.
I'm happy to let you know about Robo-Tank, a new controller for our aquariums.
Robo-Tank is the brainchild of Rob Fowler (@robsworld78) who happens to also be a planted aquarium hobbyist. Robo-Tank is a modular and customizable aquarium controller that has been evolving for nearly a decade. Rob's journey with Robo-Tank began when he got his first aquarium and, like many of you, found the high price of controllers out of reach. Inspired by others in the Reef2Reef community, he decided to build his own using Arduino, and when fellow hobbyists saw it, they wanted one too. That’s what sparked the idea to start selling Robo-Tank controllers, and it’s been growing ever since! Today, Robo-Tank is powered by a Raspberry Pi, offering even more power and flexibility for both beginner and advanced users.
Robo-Tank is all about flexibility. It works with non-proprietary equipment and sensors, so you’re free to choose the gear that suits your needs without being tied to a specific brand. Over the years, Rob has sold more than 1,200 aquarium controllers, with 700 in just the last few years, and the system has been thoroughly tested in real-world aquarium setups. You can read real experiences and feedback from Robo-Tank users here.
The hardware has been refined to ensure reliability, and the affordable pricing, with aquarium controllers starting at just $100, gives incredible value for money. It even includes a highly accurate pH circuit, and for those who love to tinker, Robo-Tank offers the freedom to create custom circuits and, most excitingly, to modify the web app to fit your needs exactly how you see fit. The web app is continuously being developed and provides real-time control and automation for your aquarium, making it incredibly powerful and flexible. You can dive into all the details of the web app here to see how it can transform your aquarium management.
I’m excited to announce that the next version of Robo-Tank is launching soon on Kickstarter! This updated version is tailored to fit the needs of even more users based on feedback and offers the same flexibility and ease of use you’ve come to expect. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to launch!
Make sure to follow the Kickstarter pre-launch page for updates and be part of this exciting journey.
Kickstarter Pre-Launch Page
I reached out to Rob and found out he is a freshwater guy but has been working with the reefing community given they are very much ahead of us with this type of equipment. Of course, I asked Rob to join us here so that we can also help him continue to evolve the Robo-Tank to be a useful tool for planted aquariums as well.
Please, please take some time to think about how this can assist you and your aquarium husbandry. We need to encourage and support this type of innovation and it's wonderful that a freshwater planted aquarium hobbyist like Rob is doing it. Feel free to ask questions here.
I've asked Rob to keep us updated on progress. Let's think about how this tool can specifically help us in planted aquarium management.
[HASH=95]#robotank[/HASH]
As many of you know, I am a big fan of aquarium automation to function as a tool helping you with aquarium husbandry. This not only makes your life easier but also helps to maintain consistency when we get lazy or busy and can even save the day in case of an emergency. This is why I long ago invested in the Neptune Apex system.
The problem has been that it there is a large upfront cost to get started with automation and the leading companies have decided to use the closed-ecosystem model that requires you to purchase their products rather than allowing you to use whatever products you may choose. While I appreciate that this gives the company more controller of how products interact with the controller, it also means you are at their mercy when things go wrong. It would be better for a company to focus on doing one thing well (i.e., controllers) and let other companies do what they do best (i.e., lighting, pumps, dosers, etc.). Now we have an automation option that does just that.
I'm happy to let you know about Robo-Tank, a new controller for our aquariums.
Robo-Tank is the brainchild of Rob Fowler (@robsworld78) who happens to also be a planted aquarium hobbyist. Robo-Tank is a modular and customizable aquarium controller that has been evolving for nearly a decade. Rob's journey with Robo-Tank began when he got his first aquarium and, like many of you, found the high price of controllers out of reach. Inspired by others in the Reef2Reef community, he decided to build his own using Arduino, and when fellow hobbyists saw it, they wanted one too. That’s what sparked the idea to start selling Robo-Tank controllers, and it’s been growing ever since! Today, Robo-Tank is powered by a Raspberry Pi, offering even more power and flexibility for both beginner and advanced users.
Robo-Tank is all about flexibility. It works with non-proprietary equipment and sensors, so you’re free to choose the gear that suits your needs without being tied to a specific brand. Over the years, Rob has sold more than 1,200 aquarium controllers, with 700 in just the last few years, and the system has been thoroughly tested in real-world aquarium setups. You can read real experiences and feedback from Robo-Tank users here.
The hardware has been refined to ensure reliability, and the affordable pricing, with aquarium controllers starting at just $100, gives incredible value for money. It even includes a highly accurate pH circuit, and for those who love to tinker, Robo-Tank offers the freedom to create custom circuits and, most excitingly, to modify the web app to fit your needs exactly how you see fit. The web app is continuously being developed and provides real-time control and automation for your aquarium, making it incredibly powerful and flexible. You can dive into all the details of the web app here to see how it can transform your aquarium management.
I’m excited to announce that the next version of Robo-Tank is launching soon on Kickstarter! This updated version is tailored to fit the needs of even more users based on feedback and offers the same flexibility and ease of use you’ve come to expect. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to launch!
Make sure to follow the Kickstarter pre-launch page for updates and be part of this exciting journey.
Kickstarter Pre-Launch Page
I reached out to Rob and found out he is a freshwater guy but has been working with the reefing community given they are very much ahead of us with this type of equipment. Of course, I asked Rob to join us here so that we can also help him continue to evolve the Robo-Tank to be a useful tool for planted aquariums as well.
Please, please take some time to think about how this can assist you and your aquarium husbandry. We need to encourage and support this type of innovation and it's wonderful that a freshwater planted aquarium hobbyist like Rob is doing it. Feel free to ask questions here.
I've asked Rob to keep us updated on progress. Let's think about how this tool can specifically help us in planted aquarium management.
[HASH=95]#robotank[/HASH]
12 Replies
·
3224 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
Rockstar
When I was walking around Aquashella Chicago, I crossed paths multiple times with Logan Rando while he was filming. I was wondering if he had posted a video of the show yet so I checked out his channel. No video of Chicago yet, so I instead watched his video of New Jersey. About half way through the video, Father Fish rolls by on his scooter and announces he'll be making an announcement that will destroy the tropical fish industry. LOL! I didn't know Father Fish was actually a speaker at Aquashella. Seems funny that a guy who preaches about not giving money to the aquarium industry was invited to speak. I figured WTH, I'll bite and go to his channel to see what the big news was. I couldn't bring myself to watch the whole thing, but I did scan through it and still don't know what the big Earth shattering news was. Just the same ole preachy stuff and I regret destroying the brain cells. I have to be more careful of that, as I'm older and can't afford to lose many more. I'm sure glad my path into this hobby was seeing the work of Takashi Amano, other knowledgeable aquascapers, and all the great folks in this community.
24 Replies
·
1041 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
Rockstar
Article Contributor
Skip to the actual journal here.
I'm known here for high tech, high nutrient, inert substrate scapes -- but I also love NO tech, rich substrate scapes, too!
This thread is three-sided:
But there is a new modern kind of fish bowl, one where plants, substrate, bacteria, water changes, and proper inhabitant selection all work together to create healthy, mini ecosystem-worlds in our homes:
My first bowl attempt in 2020
My second bowl, a true "no tech" in 2021
My third bowl scape (no tech) in 2023, and by far my favorite and most successful!
The point is, these are smaller, affordable, beautiful little worlds of light to enliven our living spaces and create art, nature, and beauty -- often with very little maintenance and upkeep besides a partial water change and feeding the fish.
quano_aqua on Insta
waterplantslover on insta
hanahiyori1112 on insta
Sono aqua pfm on Insta and on Youtube is one of the pioneers of this method, and
deserves a TON of credit for popularizing this technique across many Japanese communities!
kazuaki387 on insta
qball_aquatics on insta has many small bowl scapes.
Nanoscape on insta
syo_aqua_plants on insta follows the "Sono" method.
Aquadream in Vietnam on insta and on Youtube has TONS of no-tech bowl scapes.
Almost 20 bowls in his store/gallery. Lots of info on his youtube channel!
pokomama_medaka on insta
tinyecosystems_ on insta, also sells "kits" to make your own tiny ecosystem jars.
the_bettabowl_project on insta
MJ Aquascaping bowl on youtube, beautiful setup.
MJ Aquascaping vase on Youtube
MD Fishtanks on Youtube has done a few planted no tech bowls
aquashopuha on insta
jp72363 on insta
y0shi_n9 on Insta
kermitDE on Reddit
buiscape on insta has a tiny Fluval bowl scape with crabs!
nakayamachiyomi on insta
ichistarium on insta
chandan0616 on instagram
Few-Focus8050 on Reddit
KrishTheBaker on Reddit and on Youtube
@HardeeParty here on Scape Crunch
@bradquade here on Scape Crunch
10-gal bowl featured on Tank Tested on Youtube
And that's just the ones I have found over the last few years! I have no doubt there are many, many more out there.
I'll add to this thread as I find them, and would love it if you would, too!
I'm known here for high tech, high nutrient, inert substrate scapes -- but I also love NO tech, rich substrate scapes, too!
This thread is three-sided:
- To act as a journal for my new No-Tech bowl scape, and
- To act as a discussion board for no/low tech bowl scapes, and
- To collect and share accounts and examples of bowl scapes from around the world!
But there is a new modern kind of fish bowl, one where plants, substrate, bacteria, water changes, and proper inhabitant selection all work together to create healthy, mini ecosystem-worlds in our homes:
My first bowl attempt in 2020
My second bowl, a true "no tech" in 2021
My third bowl scape (no tech) in 2023, and by far my favorite and most successful!
What does No Tech mean?
In general, it means that these scapes have:- No Filter
- No Heater
- No Air Pump
- No Skimmer
- No CO2
- No Circulation
- A Light (usually low to medium-powered)
- A Substrate (inert, aquasoil, or sand-capped soil like Walstad method)
- Plants (usually quite low-tech plants, though a surprising number will thrive in this method!)
- Inhabitants (Since these bowls are usually between 2-12 gallons on average, this limits selection to nano fish, shrimp, and snails).
The point is, these are smaller, affordable, beautiful little worlds of light to enliven our living spaces and create art, nature, and beauty -- often with very little maintenance and upkeep besides a partial water change and feeding the fish.
Gallery and Links to bowl scapers:
quano_aqua on Insta
waterplantslover on insta
hanahiyori1112 on insta
Sono aqua pfm on Insta and on Youtube is one of the pioneers of this method, and
deserves a TON of credit for popularizing this technique across many Japanese communities!
kazuaki387 on insta
qball_aquatics on insta has many small bowl scapes.
Nanoscape on insta
syo_aqua_plants on insta follows the "Sono" method.
Aquadream in Vietnam on insta and on Youtube has TONS of no-tech bowl scapes.
Almost 20 bowls in his store/gallery. Lots of info on his youtube channel!
pokomama_medaka on insta
tinyecosystems_ on insta, also sells "kits" to make your own tiny ecosystem jars.
the_bettabowl_project on insta
MJ Aquascaping bowl on youtube, beautiful setup.
MJ Aquascaping vase on Youtube
MD Fishtanks on Youtube has done a few planted no tech bowls
aquashopuha on insta
jp72363 on insta
y0shi_n9 on Insta
kermitDE on Reddit
buiscape on insta has a tiny Fluval bowl scape with crabs!
nakayamachiyomi on insta
ichistarium on insta
chandan0616 on instagram
Few-Focus8050 on Reddit
KrishTheBaker on Reddit and on Youtube
@HardeeParty here on Scape Crunch
@bradquade here on Scape Crunch
10-gal bowl featured on Tank Tested on Youtube
And that's just the ones I have found over the last few years! I have no doubt there are many, many more out there.
I'll add to this thread as I find them, and would love it if you would, too!
63 Replies
·
5944 views
Journal High-Tech 90P Build
Hi guys!
I'm new here, but not entirely new to planted tanks though I've been out of the hobby for the better part of the last decade between kids and moving a couple of times - but finally in a spot where I can do something again. I'm mostly going to be making things up as I go along, but plan on a lot of automation (I want to integrate everything into home assistant) and a lot of DIY as I love the challenge of building things out myself.
The starting point:
I picked up a 90P rimless, low-iron tank on a great deal.
I have a rough idea in my head for a stand to be built from plywood - just have a couple other house projects to finish off before starting that built.
Wife says I can only have one aquarium, so for this tank, I want to go all out with a sump to allow for auto top off, and auto water changes, auto fertilizer dosing etc. etc. I have half a plan in my mind.
I've also started on the light fixture which I've modeled up in CAD, and plan on making out of an 8020 extrusion, and some 3D printed bits.
I'm using bridgelux gen 3 thrive CW (3000k) and WW (5000k) LED strips which have super high CRI at 98+ along with some specific XPE2 wavelengths that I'll solder onto some starboards. Far Red (730nm), Red (654nm), Cyan (495nm), Blue (455nm), Visible UV (415nm). Each segment of the white channels will be on its own driver so I can adjust left to right brightness in thirds, and each colour channel on its own driver so I can vary each channel on a time-based approach.
These will be run from a custom PCB board with Meanwell N-LDD drivers, and will run ESPHome on an ESP32 so it can link up with my Home Assistant installation.
That's it for now, this will probably be a very slow build so be warned if you follow along!
I'm new here, but not entirely new to planted tanks though I've been out of the hobby for the better part of the last decade between kids and moving a couple of times - but finally in a spot where I can do something again. I'm mostly going to be making things up as I go along, but plan on a lot of automation (I want to integrate everything into home assistant) and a lot of DIY as I love the challenge of building things out myself.
The starting point:
I picked up a 90P rimless, low-iron tank on a great deal.
I have a rough idea in my head for a stand to be built from plywood - just have a couple other house projects to finish off before starting that built.
Wife says I can only have one aquarium, so for this tank, I want to go all out with a sump to allow for auto top off, and auto water changes, auto fertilizer dosing etc. etc. I have half a plan in my mind.
I've also started on the light fixture which I've modeled up in CAD, and plan on making out of an 8020 extrusion, and some 3D printed bits.
I'm using bridgelux gen 3 thrive CW (3000k) and WW (5000k) LED strips which have super high CRI at 98+ along with some specific XPE2 wavelengths that I'll solder onto some starboards. Far Red (730nm), Red (654nm), Cyan (495nm), Blue (455nm), Visible UV (415nm). Each segment of the white channels will be on its own driver so I can adjust left to right brightness in thirds, and each colour channel on its own driver so I can vary each channel on a time-based approach.
These will be run from a custom PCB board with Meanwell N-LDD drivers, and will run ESPHome on an ESP32 so it can link up with my Home Assistant installation.
That's it for now, this will probably be a very slow build so be warned if you follow along!
82 Replies
·
5752 views
Wrapped up my AGA submittal a few weeks ago, and I just can't seem to bring myself to take care of my tank right now 
I think I'm experiencing burnout. I go through these cycles where my tank is all I can think about for a few weeks/months, and then I need a break, and I can't bring myself to do my usual water change and trim schedule. The good news is my tank has so much healthy plant mass that algae doesnt grow even after a few weeks of neglect.
Any tips on fighting this tendency? I think my first idea is to slow everything down, lower my nitrate to more of a zero-bound system and try to reduce my stem trimming frequency. My second idea is making my water change easier. Right now the hardest part is siphoning detritus into buckets that I walk to the toilet. After that I pump the tank down the rest of the way. How do you guys do this? I would siphon straight to the toilet but I'm bound to accidently send a shrimp to their doom that way.
I think I'm experiencing burnout. I go through these cycles where my tank is all I can think about for a few weeks/months, and then I need a break, and I can't bring myself to do my usual water change and trim schedule. The good news is my tank has so much healthy plant mass that algae doesnt grow even after a few weeks of neglect.Any tips on fighting this tendency? I think my first idea is to slow everything down, lower my nitrate to more of a zero-bound system and try to reduce my stem trimming frequency. My second idea is making my water change easier. Right now the hardest part is siphoning detritus into buckets that I walk to the toilet. After that I pump the tank down the rest of the way. How do you guys do this? I would siphon straight to the toilet but I'm bound to accidently send a shrimp to their doom that way.
35 Replies
·
473 views
Hello, can anyone running the ARC small acrylic reactor on a 40 breeder tell me what your outlet position is and what ph drop or co2 ppm you are getting?
12 Replies
·
349 views
I completed my first AGA contest photos for the Dutch category today!
What a PITA!!!
It took me a lot longer than I thought it would. Removing the tank equipment, cleaning the resulting mess, figuring out how to use a bunch of random cardboard to keep the light bleed off the camera...it was like a 4.5 hour affair for me in my cramped, sweaty office.
The other challenge was keeping the water clear with the filters off. Every time I thought I was ready to shoot I'd find one more leaf or stray piece of root hanging out somewhere on the surface or stuck in the moss or something. It's a lot more noticeable when the water is stagnant.
I'm glad to be done. I'm about 75% happy with how my tank turned out. Had a couple issues with plant selections but I think I made it work OK for my first entry. I'm really excited to see everyone else's tanks (and to finally start seeing them discussed on the forums). Good luck everyone!
What a PITA!!!
It took me a lot longer than I thought it would. Removing the tank equipment, cleaning the resulting mess, figuring out how to use a bunch of random cardboard to keep the light bleed off the camera...it was like a 4.5 hour affair for me in my cramped, sweaty office.The other challenge was keeping the water clear with the filters off. Every time I thought I was ready to shoot I'd find one more leaf or stray piece of root hanging out somewhere on the surface or stuck in the moss or something. It's a lot more noticeable when the water is stagnant.
I'm glad to be done. I'm about 75% happy with how my tank turned out. Had a couple issues with plant selections but I think I made it work OK for my first entry. I'm really excited to see everyone else's tanks (and to finally start seeing them discussed on the forums). Good luck everyone!
3 Replies
·
235 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
Hello Welcome, Renuprajan
Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @Renuprajan!
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
0 Replies
·
16 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
Hello Welcome, karlosp
Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @karlosp!
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
We would love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself. What tank do you have?
0 Replies
·
17 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
In keeping with our "all in it together" motto, I'm sharing our Google Analytics stats from last quarter.
We seem to be tracking the previous quarter pretty well. The spikes tend to be AI bot swarms that hit us from time to time and skew the data. I wish Google would give me some way to exclude those events but it's fine.
As I've said before, as long as we see green arrows pointing up, we are moving in the right direction.
Finally, it's always interesting to see traffic stats versus actual member sign ups. Always amazed how many people visit but don't sign up with the forum.
All the best,
Art
We seem to be tracking the previous quarter pretty well. The spikes tend to be AI bot swarms that hit us from time to time and skew the data. I wish Google would give me some way to exclude those events but it's fine.
As I've said before, as long as we see green arrows pointing up, we are moving in the right direction.
Finally, it's always interesting to see traffic stats versus actual member sign ups. Always amazed how many people visit but don't sign up with the forum.
All the best,
Art
0 Replies
·
31 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
Rockstar
Anybody else stay up late to watch the IAPLC rankings. As usual, my choices would have been different. Some scapes ranked in the 40s got picked by some judges as the best, so at least I'm not alone in that. Highest ranking by a U.S. contestant was Ryan Noel at, I believe, 31. Congrats to Ryan.
21 Replies
·
1204 views