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Hello everyone,
I'm excited to share the beginning of my 75P aquascape journal here on Scape Crunch!
This aquascape is inspired by the timeless works of Takashi Amano and his iconic Nature Style layouts. While I have experience with Dutch hybrids and aquatic garden style aquascapes, this will be my first true attempt at a Nature Style aquascape.
For me, aquascaping is a constantly evolving journey. It challenges us to try new approaches, refine our skills, and embrace the ever changing nature of the underwater world. Committing to this style is both a personal challenge and an opportunity to grow as an aquascaper.
If you have any questions, thoughts, or feedback, feel free to jump into the thread. I’d love to hear from you!
Thank you for taking the time to follow along...
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Specs:
Lighting: WeekAqua A430 Pro
Filtration: Oase Biomaster Thermo 350
Filtration Hosing: UNS Pro Filter Tubing
Co2 Cylinder: Misc 10lb Cylinder
Co2 Regulator: GLA GRO Co2 Regulator
Co2 Diffuser: GLA Atomic Stainless Steel CO2 Diffuser
Inflow & Outflow Pipes: GLA X Series Stainless Steel Lily Pipe Set
Substrate: UNS Controsoil - Brown, ‘fine’
Fertilization: 2Hr Aquarist - APT 'E'
Other Misc Equipment:
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Plant List | 8/3/25 :
1 ) Blyxa japonica
2 ) Pogostemon Erectus
3 ) Pogostemon stellatus 'Dassen'
4 ) Echinodorus Tenellus (Helanthium tenellum)
5 ) Eleocharis sp. Mini
6 ) Rotala 'Orange Juice'
7 ) Cryptocoryne Petchii
8 ) Anubias Bonsai
9 ) Anubias Barteri Petite Coin
10 ) Fissidens Fontanus
11 ) Microsorum Pteropus 'Windelov'
12) Cryptocoryne "Flamingo"
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May 19th, Hardscape:
I began this aquascape in my living room, in a spot where it would be viewed primarily from the left side and center, as pictured. Designing a layout to be appreciated from more than just a head-on perspective presented a unique challenge for me..
I wanted the hardscape to feel balanced and cohesive while also complementing the natural flow of the surrounding living space.
With the help and insight of several talented friends in the aquascaping community, with special thanks to Import, Dennis Wong, and others, I spent several weeks shifting the wood until everything felt just right. The layout in the image below was the result of that process. To me, it captured a sense of flow that resonated with me and thankfully, my partner loved it too!
June 8th, Planting:
After finalizing the hardscape, it was time to move on to planting!
I designed a planting layout that I felt would compliment the scape well, incorporating a variety of species that were new to me. In the past, I’ve been more familiar with high tech oriented plants. This time, in keeping with the Nature Style, I chose species like Java Fern 'Windelov', Echinodorus 'Tenellus', and Anubias Sp.
Attaching each plant was incredibly tedious, and covering the hardscape with moss was especially labor intensive. It took about five to six hours to complete, even if it might appear minimal in the photo. Still, the entire process was a lot of fun, and I was really happy with how it all came together in the end.
June 27th, Diatom Explosion:
A couple of weeks after planting, I experienced what might have been the worst diatom outbreak I’ve ever encountered. It was so severe that the tank actually became a featured example in the 2Hr Aquarist article titled, "How to control brown algae (diatoms) in planted aquariums"
Staying motivated during this period was incredibly difficult. Despite daily removal and meticulous management, twice as many diatoms would return within just an 8 hour period. It felt like an endless battle! The war on diatoms was overwhelming at times, but with persistence and support from fellow aquascapers, I was reminded that this is just part of the journey, and that things would eventually get better...
July 15th, Diatoms Receding:
July 30th, Status Update:
Within just one month~, the diatom outbreak had completely disappeared. After countless rounds of manual removal, careful dosing with Excel, and trying everything I could think of, the moment finally arrived when it simply vanished. One day it was just gone...!
Today, the aquascape rests in a peaceful state, steadily growing and filling in. Daily dosing of 2.2 milliliters of APT 'E' alongside 50% weekly water changes seems to have brought everything into a healthy balance. This sense of serenity comes with its own challenges, though.
For the life of me, I cannot get my Pogostemon 'Erectus' to grow. I have tried several different approaches, yet it remains frozen at the same height, looking as lovely as ever but refusing to budge. I may end up replacing it, but for now I am giving it more time.
Anyway, that is enough rambling from me for now. The images below are the latest from the aquascape...
Until the next update, enjoy!
I'm excited to share the beginning of my 75P aquascape journal here on Scape Crunch!
This aquascape is inspired by the timeless works of Takashi Amano and his iconic Nature Style layouts. While I have experience with Dutch hybrids and aquatic garden style aquascapes, this will be my first true attempt at a Nature Style aquascape.
For me, aquascaping is a constantly evolving journey. It challenges us to try new approaches, refine our skills, and embrace the ever changing nature of the underwater world. Committing to this style is both a personal challenge and an opportunity to grow as an aquascaper.
If you have any questions, thoughts, or feedback, feel free to jump into the thread. I’d love to hear from you!
Thank you for taking the time to follow along...
------------------------------------------
Specs:
Lighting: WeekAqua A430 Pro
Filtration: Oase Biomaster Thermo 350
Filtration Hosing: UNS Pro Filter Tubing
Co2 Cylinder: Misc 10lb Cylinder
Co2 Regulator: GLA GRO Co2 Regulator
Co2 Diffuser: GLA Atomic Stainless Steel CO2 Diffuser
Inflow & Outflow Pipes: GLA X Series Stainless Steel Lily Pipe Set
Substrate: UNS Controsoil - Brown, ‘fine’
Fertilization: 2Hr Aquarist - APT 'E'
Other Misc Equipment:
- GLA Misc. Drop Checker
- ~46” Mountable Plug Strip
- GLA Atomic Premium Quick Disconnect & Flow Control Valve
- GLA 17mm Stainless Steel Extension Piece - Inflow (X-Series)
- GLA Misc. Tungsten Tools
- UNS Surface Skimmer
------------------------------------------
Plant List | 8/3/25 :
1 ) Blyxa japonica
2 ) Pogostemon Erectus
3 ) Pogostemon stellatus 'Dassen'
4 ) Echinodorus Tenellus (Helanthium tenellum)
5 ) Eleocharis sp. Mini
6 ) Rotala 'Orange Juice'
7 ) Cryptocoryne Petchii
8 ) Anubias Bonsai
9 ) Anubias Barteri Petite Coin
10 ) Fissidens Fontanus
11 ) Microsorum Pteropus 'Windelov'
12) Cryptocoryne "Flamingo"
------------------------------------------
May 19th, Hardscape:
I began this aquascape in my living room, in a spot where it would be viewed primarily from the left side and center, as pictured. Designing a layout to be appreciated from more than just a head-on perspective presented a unique challenge for me..
I wanted the hardscape to feel balanced and cohesive while also complementing the natural flow of the surrounding living space.With the help and insight of several talented friends in the aquascaping community, with special thanks to Import, Dennis Wong, and others, I spent several weeks shifting the wood until everything felt just right. The layout in the image below was the result of that process. To me, it captured a sense of flow that resonated with me and thankfully, my partner loved it too!
June 8th, Planting:
After finalizing the hardscape, it was time to move on to planting!
I designed a planting layout that I felt would compliment the scape well, incorporating a variety of species that were new to me. In the past, I’ve been more familiar with high tech oriented plants. This time, in keeping with the Nature Style, I chose species like Java Fern 'Windelov', Echinodorus 'Tenellus', and Anubias Sp.
Attaching each plant was incredibly tedious, and covering the hardscape with moss was especially labor intensive. It took about five to six hours to complete, even if it might appear minimal in the photo. Still, the entire process was a lot of fun, and I was really happy with how it all came together in the end.
June 27th, Diatom Explosion:
A couple of weeks after planting, I experienced what might have been the worst diatom outbreak I’ve ever encountered. It was so severe that the tank actually became a featured example in the 2Hr Aquarist article titled, "How to control brown algae (diatoms) in planted aquariums"
Staying motivated during this period was incredibly difficult. Despite daily removal and meticulous management, twice as many diatoms would return within just an 8 hour period. It felt like an endless battle! The war on diatoms was overwhelming at times, but with persistence and support from fellow aquascapers, I was reminded that this is just part of the journey, and that things would eventually get better...
July 15th, Diatoms Receding:
July 30th, Status Update:
Within just one month~, the diatom outbreak had completely disappeared. After countless rounds of manual removal, careful dosing with Excel, and trying everything I could think of, the moment finally arrived when it simply vanished. One day it was just gone...!
Today, the aquascape rests in a peaceful state, steadily growing and filling in. Daily dosing of 2.2 milliliters of APT 'E' alongside 50% weekly water changes seems to have brought everything into a healthy balance. This sense of serenity comes with its own challenges, though.
For the life of me, I cannot get my Pogostemon 'Erectus' to grow. I have tried several different approaches, yet it remains frozen at the same height, looking as lovely as ever but refusing to budge. I may end up replacing it, but for now I am giving it more time.
Anyway, that is enough rambling from me for now. The images below are the latest from the aquascape...
Until the next update, enjoy!
115 Replies
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12267 views
Got on the tree build kick in past 2 weeks to make somthing I like for 36g freebie build to replace the huge tree turd #2 in there. I got 6 stumps ready today to get built for smaller tanks, 3 done today 3 waiting. Built the larger 17 tall 16 wide tree pics added other day to journal but gonna a build 2-3 more larger trees and the 6 smaller. Sell the ones off on eBay and etsy I don't want.
The larger stump 2nd post pic s 16" tall 15 wide plan to use in future scapes smaller. I've been using Amazon branch packs 15.00 for 25-35 pieces and amazon spiderwood 6-8" 5 for 12.00 for small trees. The large tree I made was a 10.99 piece I tore apart and used the 3 larger branches and built onto them to get the large tree in added pics cost me in end around 22.00 .... I have 10 pieces coming in mail Friday 5 large and 5 medium all spiderwood to make larger trees with this weekend.
Bought a ton of Amazon wood on Amazon lol 2 for 17.00 10-14" so I glued some of them together for larger usable pieces. some came out cool and well worth the 17.00 for the pieces glued together.The 1 has natural plant pots on top. The v shape last 2 pics 12" deep and 16" wide
After literally glueing a finger to a rock today Imao I quit! I ended up used all the accelerator I had anyway so Friday or sat before I can finish my smaller trees. will update as it goes, It will be a forest of trees when its done.
The larger stump 2nd post pic s 16" tall 15 wide plan to use in future scapes smaller. I've been using Amazon branch packs 15.00 for 25-35 pieces and amazon spiderwood 6-8" 5 for 12.00 for small trees. The large tree I made was a 10.99 piece I tore apart and used the 3 larger branches and built onto them to get the large tree in added pics cost me in end around 22.00 .... I have 10 pieces coming in mail Friday 5 large and 5 medium all spiderwood to make larger trees with this weekend.
Bought a ton of Amazon wood on Amazon lol 2 for 17.00 10-14" so I glued some of them together for larger usable pieces. some came out cool and well worth the 17.00 for the pieces glued together.The 1 has natural plant pots on top. The v shape last 2 pics 12" deep and 16" wide
After literally glueing a finger to a rock today Imao I quit! I ended up used all the accelerator I had anyway so Friday or sat before I can finish my smaller trees. will update as it goes, It will be a forest of trees when its done.
4 Replies
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69 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.
14 Replies
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261 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
Rockstar
Journal Kwyet’s 60G Hillstream Tank
Sometime in Nov 2024, I bought a 60G Aqueon tank at the 50% off sale. I already had a 75 gallon stand and tank, but I wanted a shorter tank so I could look in over the top. The 75 gallon was relegated to the garage in case I want it again, and I painted the stand black. I also put black vinyl on the back.
My goal was to make a hillstream environment, based on the long-running tank of Rachel O’Leary. I had looked at other options like the river manifolds, but I liked Rachel’s better. I set it up with an fx6 filter, a horizontal spray bar on the left side, and 2nd modified spray bar situated vertically behind a corner Matten filter on the back right side. Glass strips were attached with silicone to hold it. I cut the Matten filter horizontally a few inches from the tank floor so the top part could be easily removed for cleaning. I also cut a small vertical groove from the inside so it wouldn’t constrict the holes so much on the curve.
This was how it looked on Dec 20, 2024:
My goal was to make a hillstream environment, based on the long-running tank of Rachel O’Leary. I had looked at other options like the river manifolds, but I liked Rachel’s better. I set it up with an fx6 filter, a horizontal spray bar on the left side, and 2nd modified spray bar situated vertically behind a corner Matten filter on the back right side. Glass strips were attached with silicone to hold it. I cut the Matten filter horizontally a few inches from the tank floor so the top part could be easily removed for cleaning. I also cut a small vertical groove from the inside so it wouldn’t constrict the holes so much on the curve.
This was how it looked on Dec 20, 2024:
47 Replies
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5590 views
I have been inspired by everyone’s awesome planted fish bowls. I have been researching and toying around with the idea of setting one up. I was working on building a nano frag tank set up for my saltwater side and got the itch to try something. So I started building the pedestal for a fish bowl. Now down the rabbit hole, I am bending a piece of trim to wrap my 12” platform.
11 Replies
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536 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
Announcement September 2026 Media of the Month Contest Winner!
Please join me in congratulating @Jeff Miotke as the September 2026 Media of the Month winner!
This is the winning photo:
They win a $25 gift certificate from BurrAqua!
Congratulations for second place winner @Kwyet and third place winner @MrJG!
This is the winning photo:
They win a $25 gift certificate from BurrAqua!
Congratulations for second place winner @Kwyet and third place winner @MrJG!
0 Replies
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35 views
I'm looking to switch ferts I have a 20g low tech and 40g high tech both currently getting a mix of apt 1 and 3. I'm wanting to switch to pps pro using the gla salts (cheaper and gets my foot in the door with the dry ferts) for both tanks, but I've seen some recommend against it for low tech, I have no issues dosing daily, actually prefer it, and if I understand correctly, its actually better for the tank as far as stable nutrient levels. My question is, can this be done? Is it really that much of an issue to go pps pro on a low tech? I really want 1 solution (i.e. macro micro mixes) for both problems (the two tanks (obviously they'll need their own amounts as for as dose size)). I'm limited to 20 gallons of clean water at a time (remineralized with apt sky plus to 6 GH since I have neos, amanos and snails) due to space constraints so I can either do weekly 25% changes on the tanks or 50% changes every other week. Any and all input is welcome. TIA 
7 Replies
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144 views
Rockstar
I mention this plant on occasion, but no one ever comments. So I thought I'd make a post for others and me for future reference.
It is my favorite Erio. It is a darker green, doesn't get too big, and for me it has never sent up any seed stalks.
I find it easy to grow. I have high light but nothing crazy at 124PAR and high CO2, 50+ppm. It gets about max 3-4" and makes side daughter plants when large. I'm not sure my dosing scheme is. Sort of an EI daily dosing kind of thing.
What gets me is every autumn, it starts to melt. I'm not sure how it knows it's autumn with consistent light and a heater, but it must get a little cooler in the tank or something. The plant starts to turn brown and sends up (I'm not sure of the correct term) vegetative stalks with little plantlets on the ends. I've found you can plant these stalks into the substrate with the plantlet on top, and it will grow into a new plant. They've been easy to grow. This is the third year this has happened to me.
Pic of plantlets below. I'll try to get a better one sometime. All I had time for tonight was a crappy phone pic.
This year I divided one of the mother plants in hopes that it wouldn't fully melt and would regrow. That is still in progress.
Anyone else's experiences are welcome.
This plant is the same plant as the one on the right above.
It is my favorite Erio. It is a darker green, doesn't get too big, and for me it has never sent up any seed stalks.
I find it easy to grow. I have high light but nothing crazy at 124PAR and high CO2, 50+ppm. It gets about max 3-4" and makes side daughter plants when large. I'm not sure my dosing scheme is. Sort of an EI daily dosing kind of thing.
What gets me is every autumn, it starts to melt. I'm not sure how it knows it's autumn with consistent light and a heater, but it must get a little cooler in the tank or something. The plant starts to turn brown and sends up (I'm not sure of the correct term) vegetative stalks with little plantlets on the ends. I've found you can plant these stalks into the substrate with the plantlet on top, and it will grow into a new plant. They've been easy to grow. This is the third year this has happened to me.
Pic of plantlets below. I'll try to get a better one sometime. All I had time for tonight was a crappy phone pic.
This year I divided one of the mother plants in hopes that it wouldn't fully melt and would regrow. That is still in progress.
Anyone else's experiences are welcome.
This plant is the same plant as the one on the right above.
5 Replies
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136 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
Hello Welcome, Binnhim
Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @Binnhim!
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?
2 Replies
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81 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
Hello Welcome, Poppet7B9
Welcome to ScapeCrunch, @Poppet7B9!
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
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23 views
Has anyone ever kept Dwarf Neon Rainbows (Melanotaenia praecox) with goldfish?
I have 4 fancy goldfish (either Fantails, Orandas, or some sort of hybrid of the two). They are around 4–5 inches each. I also have a school of 8 Dwarf Neon Rainbows in another tank (2 males, 6 females).
The rainbows are super sensitive to CO₂. The moment I cross around 30 ppm in my planted tank, I can see them struggling, so I’m thinking of shifting them to the goldfish tank, which has no CO₂.
The goldfish tank is 300 litres (4 × 2 × 2 ft / 80 gallons), and the rainbows are around 1.5–1.75 inches.
Usually people say no to goldfish tank mates, mainly because of a mismatch in temperature or temperament. But in this case:
I have 4 fancy goldfish (either Fantails, Orandas, or some sort of hybrid of the two). They are around 4–5 inches each. I also have a school of 8 Dwarf Neon Rainbows in another tank (2 males, 6 females).
The rainbows are super sensitive to CO₂. The moment I cross around 30 ppm in my planted tank, I can see them struggling, so I’m thinking of shifting them to the goldfish tank, which has no CO₂.
The goldfish tank is 300 litres (4 × 2 × 2 ft / 80 gallons), and the rainbows are around 1.5–1.75 inches.
Usually people say no to goldfish tank mates, mainly because of a mismatch in temperature or temperament. But in this case:
- The goldies cannot possibly eat the rainbows at their current size.
- The rainbows don’t fin nip, or at least I’ve never seen them do it.
- The water parameters in both tanks are quite similar.
- Goldfish tank: GH 6, KH 2
- Current rainbow tank: GH 4, KH 0
- Temperature is pretty much the same in both tanks: 24–25°C (74–77°F).
4 Replies
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112 views