What To Consider Before Building Your First Aquascape Tank

Aquascaping is the art of arranging aquatic plants, rocks, driftwood and other natural elements in an aquarium to create a visually stunning underwater landscape. It not only adds beauty to your home or office, but also provides a healthy and stress-free environment for your fish.

Choosing the right aquascape tank is crucial, as it plays a significant role in creating and maintaining a successful aquascape. Here are some essential factors to consider when selecting the best aquascape tank for your needs.

Tank Size

The size of the tank is one of the most critical factors to consider when choosing an aquascape tank. The larger the tank, the more space you have to work with and develop a natural-looking aquascape.

A larger tank also provides a more stable environment for your aquatic plants and fish, as it can hold more water and dilute any toxins that may build up.

However, keep in mind that a larger tank also means higher maintenance costs and stronger lighting to reach all areas of the aquarium. Consider the space available in your home or office, and choose the largest tank you can accommodate within your budget.

Shape

Aquascape tanks come in various shapes, including rectangular, square, and cube-shaped. Each shape has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to creating an aquascape.

• Rectangular tanks are the most popular choice, as they provide ample surface area for plants and fish to thrive.
• Cube-shaped tanks are ideal for small spaces, but they may limit your creativity due to their small surface area.

Material

Aquascape tanks can be made from glass or acrylic. Glass tanks offer better clarity and scratch-resistance, while acrylic tanks are more lightweight, durable, and provide better insulation. However, acrylic tanks tend to discolour over time, affecting the quality of your aquascape's appearance.

Choose a material based on your budget, as well as other factors, such as the type of plants and fish you plan to keep in the tank.

Filtration

Proper filtration is essential for maintaining a healthy environment in your aquascape. Canister filters are the most popular choice for aquascape tanks, as they provide excellent mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration.

However, other types of filtration systems, such as hang-on-back filters or sump filters, can also be suitable depending on the size and setup of your tank.

Lighting

Lighting is crucial for photosynthesis to occur in aquatic plants, promoting their growth and creating an aesthetically pleasing aquascape. LED lights are the preferred option for aquascape tanks, as they are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and have customizable settings to replicate natural lighting conditions.

Consider the type of aquarium plants you plan to keep, and choose appropriate aquarium lighting that can provide the necessary spectrum and intensity for their growth.

It is best to consider using WRGB aquarium lights, which are crafted to accentuate the vibrant hues of planted aquariums. Representing White, Red, Green, and Blue, these primary colours are meticulously combined to optimise both the growth and visual appeal of aquatic plants.

This balanced light spectrum allows efficient photosynthesis, enhancing the vividness of plants, fish, and other tank inhabitants. For aquascapers aiming to cultivate lush, visually stunning tanks with flourishing plant life, WRGB lights are indispensable.

Budget

Lastly, consider your budget when choosing an aquascape tank.

While larger tanks may be more expensive initially, they require less maintenance in the long run. However, smaller tanks can also be suitable for beginners with a limited budget and space.

Takeaway

Choosing the right tank is crucial for creating a successful and visually appealing aquascape. Consider factors such as tank size, shape, material, filtration, lighting, and budget when making your decision.

With the right tank and proper care, you can create a beautiful underwater landscape that will bring joy and relaxation to both you and your fish. Keep experimenting and have fun with your aquascape!

Consult our experts at Living Shrimply for further guidance and get us to build a custom aquascape aquarium for you.