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Journal 60F Low-Tech PondScape
With our basement finally completed, I’m looking forward to moving my Waterbox Clear Mini 25 downstairs and, importantly, away from direct sunlight. That tank has gone through several iterations of algae, and I feel the direct sunlight has been a significant contributor.
With the Waterbox moving downstairs, I’ll now have an empty spot in the first floor that receives plenty of natural sunlight and is a tall space
Enter the Pondscape.
My inspiration is MJ's recent pondscape in his Big Shallow. His setup relies entirely on natural light, with no dedicated aquarium light. I’m planning something along the same lines, although I will be adding a light, for some control and for viewing the tank when there isn’t much natural light.
As with one of my previous journals, this is going to be an “as I build” journal rather than presenting a finished setup. I’d love to get everyone’s input as I make decisions and inevitably change my mind along the way.
ADA 60F — 60 × 30 × 25 cm
I considered the FZONE shallow (60 × 36 × 18 cm), but ultimately decided on the ADA. MJ’s Big Shallow is 120 × 40 × 25 cm, and I liked retaining that 25 cm height while still having a relatively shallow tank. This would allow good amount of space for fish/underwater plants.
Stand options:
Archaea Modern-Nature Aquarium Cabinet
Lighting Options:
Netlea - 6S- 635Z - 35Watts - Backet light
Fzone Axone 72W
Since i would have a open space on one side, i will likely just need the light on one side. Need something tall to support emersed growth.
Filter
Oase biomaster II 250
will likely use smaller lily pipes to allow gentle flow
Hardscape:
Still undecided.
I’m leaning toward a wood-dominant pond-bank/root structure, with some of the wood breaking the water surface. I’d like a substantial amount of negative space/open substrate rather than filling the entire 60F with hardscape and plants. Likely a triangular layout. Lava rocks as well.
Substrate:
Current thought is aqua soil in mesh bags capped with cosmetic sand. Rationale is so that there is no mess created if i decide to replant.
I see lot of pondscapes with base layer of compose or clay such as the one from Dennerle which we don't have in the US. Curious what others would suggest. Main goal is to have long term nutrition for plants but also allow replanting without causing a mess on the cosmetic sand cap.
Inhabitants:
A betta fish
Some corys
Amanos
Cherry shrimp
Snails
Plants:
This is probably where I have the most questions. Emersed growth selection need to take the low humidity into consideration (lot of cool options such as the P.decannensis flowering, Bolbitis, Java ferns emersed seem to go out the window)
The general idea is predominantly green, relatively low-tech plants with a transition from submerged → marginal → emersed growth.
Current plant list
Submerged -
Cryptocoryne, Blyxa, Anubias, Buce, trident Java fern, Bolbitis mini.
Submerged and Emersed (Marginal)
Hydrocotyle verticalatta
Maybe some Amazon swords - smaller variants
Initially thought of C.Helferi but reading @Naturescapes_Rocco post on this, seems like quite a difficult plant
Emersed
Still researching, not sure if this is needed and could just use the marginal plants.
Lots still to figure out. Suggestions, especially from anyone who has maintained a similar pondscape in a dry house are very welcome.
With the Waterbox moving downstairs, I’ll now have an empty spot in the first floor that receives plenty of natural sunlight and is a tall space
Enter the Pondscape.
My inspiration is MJ's recent pondscape in his Big Shallow. His setup relies entirely on natural light, with no dedicated aquarium light. I’m planning something along the same lines, although I will be adding a light, for some control and for viewing the tank when there isn’t much natural light.
As with one of my previous journals, this is going to be an “as I build” journal rather than presenting a finished setup. I’d love to get everyone’s input as I make decisions and inevitably change my mind along the way.
My current thoughts
Tank:ADA 60F — 60 × 30 × 25 cm
I considered the FZONE shallow (60 × 36 × 18 cm), but ultimately decided on the ADA. MJ’s Big Shallow is 120 × 40 × 25 cm, and I liked retaining that 25 cm height while still having a relatively shallow tank. This would allow good amount of space for fish/underwater plants.
Stand options:
Archaea Modern-Nature Aquarium Cabinet
Fluval 60P stand — walnut
Lighting Options:
Netlea - 6S- 635Z - 35Watts - Backet light
Fzone Axone 72W
Since i would have a open space on one side, i will likely just need the light on one side. Need something tall to support emersed growth.
Filter
Oase biomaster II 250
will likely use smaller lily pipes to allow gentle flow
Hardscape:
Still undecided.
I’m leaning toward a wood-dominant pond-bank/root structure, with some of the wood breaking the water surface. I’d like a substantial amount of negative space/open substrate rather than filling the entire 60F with hardscape and plants. Likely a triangular layout. Lava rocks as well.
Substrate:
Current thought is aqua soil in mesh bags capped with cosmetic sand. Rationale is so that there is no mess created if i decide to replant.
I see lot of pondscapes with base layer of compose or clay such as the one from Dennerle which we don't have in the US. Curious what others would suggest. Main goal is to have long term nutrition for plants but also allow replanting without causing a mess on the cosmetic sand cap.
Inhabitants:
A betta fish
Some corys
Amanos
Cherry shrimp
Snails
Plants:
This is probably where I have the most questions. Emersed growth selection need to take the low humidity into consideration (lot of cool options such as the P.decannensis flowering, Bolbitis, Java ferns emersed seem to go out the window)
The general idea is predominantly green, relatively low-tech plants with a transition from submerged → marginal → emersed growth.
Current plant list
Submerged -
Cryptocoryne, Blyxa, Anubias, Buce, trident Java fern, Bolbitis mini.
Submerged and Emersed (Marginal)
Hydrocotyle verticalatta
Maybe some Amazon swords - smaller variants
Initially thought of C.Helferi but reading @Naturescapes_Rocco post on this, seems like quite a difficult plant
Emersed
Still researching, not sure if this is needed and could just use the marginal plants.
Lots still to figure out. Suggestions, especially from anyone who has maintained a similar pondscape in a dry house are very welcome.
3 Replies
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396 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
Rockstar
Journal Attempting a True Dutch
This tank was a Dutch-ish tank before we moved 2 months ago. This was one of its last pictures, very overgrown I know.
This time I want to make it a true Dutch, so anyone can chime in and help me.
After we moved, it ran low-tech with just a few tissue cultures until this week when I finally had time and materials to finish setting it up. This is what it looks like now:
I know there’s some bubbles showing in the vinyl cling. I’m having trouble reaching back there to smooth it out. I’ll have to think about how to fix that, although when the plants grow in it may not be visible anyway. I did read that you can have 1 rock in a Dutch scape, so I kept one. I may put Monte Carlo on it again, I haven’t decided.
So, details…
Tank: UNS 90U, 68 gallons
Light: Week Aqua P900 Pro, current settings R 40%, G 51%, B 20%, UV 0, Fan 100, Power 51%.
8 hours of light with 30 min ramp up/down
Par—no idea
Filtration: Fluval Fx4, currently running at 75%. Any higher blows the fish around. I expect to be able to increase it when the plants are grown in.
CO2: Yugang stainless steel reactor, 370 mm long, working really well. I had to turn down the CO2 a bit today because the drop was more than I expected (from degassed 7.4 to 5.9). I’ve already changed the end cap to the medium setting, but I think I’m just going to make further adjustments with the regulator. Call it laziness, but since there aren’t any double taps available for the Fx4 tubing that’s going to be easier for me. Anyway, I really like it. It’s completely silent and does its job well.
Substrate: Aqua Natural Galaxy sand, with a few Aquarium Coop root tabs.
Other: Oase CrystalSkim 350 skimmer, Kactoily 6-in-1 water quality monitor
Fertilizer: Until today I’ve just been using Easy Green. Today I installed the Chihiro’s dosing system with PPS-Pro, 6 ml macros and 3 ml micros daily. On water change day, I’ll add another 2 ml macros. I’m currently changing 20% of the water once a week. I’ll increase if necessary.
Parameters: Ammonia and Nitrite 0, Nitrate 10 ppm, gH 6, kH 2, TDS 222, 70-74 F
Plants (mostly from @Burr740 thanks!):
Leopard Val
Echinodorus Aflame
Hydrocotyle Tripartita (coming)
Penthorum Sedioides
Crypt Wendtii Sindoor
Lobelia cardinalis mini
Bacopa colorata
Rotala (? back left corner)
Limnophila wilsonii
Nymphae Peru Puerto Maldonade
Rotala macrandra Kochi
Nymphoides Taiwan
I’m not sure I like the Leopard Val in there. Should I put it in my 125 gallon instead, and move the Limnophila wilsonii to that spot?
Fish:
1 Honey Flame Gourami
4 Ember tetras
8 Otos
2 Pygmy sunfish
4 Red neon blue-eyed rainbowfish
9 Pygmy Cory catfish
9 male Lime Green Endlers
1 Leopard Danio (last of a group)
A few random Amano and Neocaridina shrimp and snails
The fish list will change as I get more tanks set up. I would like to end up with just the gourami, Otos, Rainbowfish (but more of them), and Pygmy Cories.
Well, that’s a start. Thanks for reading!
This time I want to make it a true Dutch, so anyone can chime in and help me.
After we moved, it ran low-tech with just a few tissue cultures until this week when I finally had time and materials to finish setting it up. This is what it looks like now:
I know there’s some bubbles showing in the vinyl cling. I’m having trouble reaching back there to smooth it out. I’ll have to think about how to fix that, although when the plants grow in it may not be visible anyway. I did read that you can have 1 rock in a Dutch scape, so I kept one. I may put Monte Carlo on it again, I haven’t decided.
So, details…
Tank: UNS 90U, 68 gallons
Light: Week Aqua P900 Pro, current settings R 40%, G 51%, B 20%, UV 0, Fan 100, Power 51%.
8 hours of light with 30 min ramp up/down
Par—no idea
Filtration: Fluval Fx4, currently running at 75%. Any higher blows the fish around. I expect to be able to increase it when the plants are grown in.
CO2: Yugang stainless steel reactor, 370 mm long, working really well. I had to turn down the CO2 a bit today because the drop was more than I expected (from degassed 7.4 to 5.9). I’ve already changed the end cap to the medium setting, but I think I’m just going to make further adjustments with the regulator. Call it laziness, but since there aren’t any double taps available for the Fx4 tubing that’s going to be easier for me. Anyway, I really like it. It’s completely silent and does its job well.
Substrate: Aqua Natural Galaxy sand, with a few Aquarium Coop root tabs.
Other: Oase CrystalSkim 350 skimmer, Kactoily 6-in-1 water quality monitor
Fertilizer: Until today I’ve just been using Easy Green. Today I installed the Chihiro’s dosing system with PPS-Pro, 6 ml macros and 3 ml micros daily. On water change day, I’ll add another 2 ml macros. I’m currently changing 20% of the water once a week. I’ll increase if necessary.
Parameters: Ammonia and Nitrite 0, Nitrate 10 ppm, gH 6, kH 2, TDS 222, 70-74 F
Plants (mostly from @Burr740 thanks!):
Leopard Val
Echinodorus Aflame
Hydrocotyle Tripartita (coming)
Penthorum Sedioides
Crypt Wendtii Sindoor
Lobelia cardinalis mini
Bacopa colorata
Rotala (? back left corner)
Limnophila wilsonii
Nymphae Peru Puerto Maldonade
Rotala macrandra Kochi
Nymphoides Taiwan
I’m not sure I like the Leopard Val in there. Should I put it in my 125 gallon instead, and move the Limnophila wilsonii to that spot?
Fish:
1 Honey Flame Gourami
4 Ember tetras
8 Otos
2 Pygmy sunfish
4 Red neon blue-eyed rainbowfish
9 Pygmy Cory catfish
9 male Lime Green Endlers
1 Leopard Danio (last of a group)
A few random Amano and Neocaridina shrimp and snails
The fish list will change as I get more tanks set up. I would like to end up with just the gourami, Otos, Rainbowfish (but more of them), and Pygmy Cories.
Well, that’s a start. Thanks for reading!
279 Replies
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29337 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
Rockstar
Well...let's spend more money! I had thought about attending Aquashella - Chicago a few months ago but decided to pass this year. When I was thinking about it, they still didn't have the specific VIP guest list posted. Out of curiosity, I checked today and to my surprise, the man himself, Yusuke Homma, will be presenting the masterclass on Saturday. I can't pass that up when it's only an 8 hour drive. Ticket purchased, room booked. Anyone else attending?
12 Replies
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365 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
Rockstar
Browsed the Sreepadma booth at Aquashella briefly today. I'd not heard of them but they are the largest aquatic plant farm in India and have been selling their TC offerings in the US for about 2 years. I was actually impressed with the qualty I was seeing of their TC cups and wish I had room in a tank for some (and some ADA TC). Has anyone else purchased any of their plants. One of the first that I spotted was Red Tiger Crypt which was a coincidence since we have a thread discussing it.
5 Replies
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75 views
Journal Farmer D. Singh's journal
Ive reorganized the order of my tanks so I can better keep track of them ie. Tank 2 moss tank is now tank 3. This helps in any confusion I had when tracking tanks they are in a sort of order now. Rather than taking time editing my old journal id rather create a new thread. Pics will be current (for the most part) as they are posted. I am not aquascaping. I am just farming.
71 Replies
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4034 views
Staff member
I Donated 2026
Founding Member
The theme for this month's contest is: Algae Patina
This one is going to be tough but I hope some of you take up the challenge. There is a fine line between algae on an object that makes it look natural and old (patina) and algae on an object that simply makes it look unkept and dirty.
Who can strike that balance best??
Please take a picture of algae patina in your aquarium. Be as artistic and creative as you like.
The rules:
A $25 store credit from BurrAqua thanks to @Burr740!
Good luck!
This one is going to be tough but I hope some of you take up the challenge. There is a fine line between algae on an object that makes it look natural and old (patina) and algae on an object that simply makes it look unkept and dirty.
Who can strike that balance best??
Please take a picture of algae patina in your aquarium. Be as artistic and creative as you like.
The rules:
- Submissions are allowed between September 11 and September 23.
- Voting will start on September 23 at 12:01 am Eastern time.
- Voting will end on September 30 at 11:30 pm Eastern time.
A $25 store credit from BurrAqua thanks to @Burr740!
Good luck!
4 Replies
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388 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!
67 Replies
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4479 views
Rockstar
Journal 22 gallon long bookshelf
Time to start a new thread.
I’ll fill in some details later, but I’m working on the hardscape now. Any and all criticism is appreciated. The vision is nothing more, and nothing less, than something appealing to the eye.
90cm x 30cm x 30cm Lifegard Aquatics ultra clear bookshelf tank. Buce and anubias on the hardscape, stems towards the back and center, mid to front carpet with some changes in shade and texture down to a flat grade on the right side of the tank.
Lily pipe inlet and skimmer will be in the back left corner with the outflow in the front left to hopefully achieve circular flow. I’ll be running an in-line diffuser. Light will be the P600 Pro that I regrettably did not upside to 900. Oh well. I’ll mount it high and hopefully it’ll have enough spread.
I have some dragon stone and red lava rock rubble I’ll use at the base to blend into the substrate, as well as some stratum I may or may not cap with.
I’ll fill in some details later, but I’m working on the hardscape now. Any and all criticism is appreciated. The vision is nothing more, and nothing less, than something appealing to the eye.
90cm x 30cm x 30cm Lifegard Aquatics ultra clear bookshelf tank. Buce and anubias on the hardscape, stems towards the back and center, mid to front carpet with some changes in shade and texture down to a flat grade on the right side of the tank.
Lily pipe inlet and skimmer will be in the back left corner with the outflow in the front left to hopefully achieve circular flow. I’ll be running an in-line diffuser. Light will be the P600 Pro that I regrettably did not upside to 900. Oh well. I’ll mount it high and hopefully it’ll have enough spread.
I have some dragon stone and red lava rock rubble I’ll use at the base to blend into the substrate, as well as some stratum I may or may not cap with.
280 Replies
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31809 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.
7 Replies
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302 views
Supporting
I Donated 2026
It’s time to take down the 20 gallon long tank that was my first “ high tech planted” aquarium and upgrade to a tank with on an appropriate size/depth.
I’ll order a Landen (90 x 50 x 50) tank on Amazon for this. Free overnight delivery. Preposterous!
I’ve studied the thread TRyan posted on 3/4” plywood stands and will be building a stand for this - thank you TRyan!
For filtration, I’ve been studying JayP’s thread. I had a biomaster thermo 350 on the 20L which I’m thinking of reusing. And I also have a netlea prefilter sitting around and an ARC small acrylic yugang reactor I can steal from a tank. I’m thinking of buying an Oase 800 or other pump and chaining these pieces together to provide a second filtration/carbonizing path? Not sure on the pump manufacturer & size?
I’ll be putting this together in the style of the ADA nature aquarium. Aquasoil in the back, some hardscape (rock, wood) in the midground and a decorative sand foreground. Very simple. Primarily a guppy, Endler, Cory, pleco, neocaridina tank.
Soliciting the scapecrunch community for feedback, advice, suggestions, etc.
Thank you as always. You all are the best!
I’ll order a Landen (90 x 50 x 50) tank on Amazon for this. Free overnight delivery. Preposterous!
I’ve studied the thread TRyan posted on 3/4” plywood stands and will be building a stand for this - thank you TRyan!
For filtration, I’ve been studying JayP’s thread. I had a biomaster thermo 350 on the 20L which I’m thinking of reusing. And I also have a netlea prefilter sitting around and an ARC small acrylic yugang reactor I can steal from a tank. I’m thinking of buying an Oase 800 or other pump and chaining these pieces together to provide a second filtration/carbonizing path? Not sure on the pump manufacturer & size?
I’ll be putting this together in the style of the ADA nature aquarium. Aquasoil in the back, some hardscape (rock, wood) in the midground and a decorative sand foreground. Very simple. Primarily a guppy, Endler, Cory, pleco, neocaridina tank.
Soliciting the scapecrunch community for feedback, advice, suggestions, etc.
Thank you as always. You all are the best!
26 Replies
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1465 views