The captivating realm of aquascaping combines artistic flair with a profound appreciation for aquatic life, transforming aquariums into mesmerising underwater landscapes that echo the enchanting essence of nature. Ranging from minimalist, zen-like designs to complex, densely planted aquatic ecosystems, these living art installations stand as a testament to the harmonious fusion of human creativity and the intrinsic allure of nature’s own handiwork. As one of the UK’s largest aquatics specialists, Perfect Aquatics is deeply passionate about guiding aquascaping enthusiasts on a voyage of discovery and inspiration, providing educational, informative, and unique content meticulously crafted to empower you to create your own breathtaking vision—an underwater dreamscape that transcends traditional aquarium aesthetics.
diving into aquascaping, the art of underwater landscape architecture and design
when it comes to the art and architecture of a landscape, parks, plazas, and even pastures may come to mind. yet there is a discipline dedicated to an entirely different kind of landscape — one that lives in subaquatic spaces — and it’s called aquascaping. this art of creating an underwater garden within the confines of an aquarium combines architecture, sculpture, painting, landscape management and careful focus on the flora and fauna that live inside. ranging from minimal driftwood arrangements to elaborate jungle environments, the resulting compositions are as dynamic as they are distinct, and can form an artful expression in any interior environment. aquascape designs can be stylized according to a range of aesthetic influences, including the garden-like ‘dutch style’ and the japanese-inspired ‘nature style’ — but before we dive into types and techniques, we look back at aquascaping history.
a nature-style aquascape, suggesting mountains
image by peter kirwan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via wikimedia commons
the history of aquascaping begins with the innovation of the aquarium in nineteenth century victorian england. in 1836, english doctor nathaniel bagshaw ward proposed to use his invention of the ‘wardian case’ — an early example of a terrarium — to house tropical animals, which he did by 1841 and filled with aquatic plants and toy fish. a few years later, british marine zoologist anne thynne built the first stable and sustained marine aquarium, and maintained a collection of corals and sponges in it for more than three years. on its heels, english chemist robert warington experimented with the notion of filling a 13-gallon container with goldfish, eelgrass, and snails. warington is credited for fully developing the principle of the aquarium, noting that plants added to water in a container would give off enough oxygen to support animals, so long as their numbers do not grow too large. he published his findings in 1850 in the chemical society’s journal.
a jungle-style aquascape with anubias, ferns, bolbitis crypt plants and more
image by george farmer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via wikimedia commons
the keeping of fish soon became a popular hobby, particularly after ornate aquariums in cast-iron frames were featured at the great exhibition of 1851 — the international showcase at the crystal palace in london. an aquarium ‘craze’ was soon in full effect, with english naturalist philip henry gosse’s creation of the first public aquarium in the london zoo. it was gosse who coined the term ‘aquarium’ in his 1854 book, the aquariums: an unveiling of the wonders of the deep water. by the late 1800s, popular interest in aquariums had reached germany and the united states, and became more widely used in houses after world war I, when electricity allowed for the introduction of artificial lighting, aeration, filtration, and water heating.
aquascaping by dave chow via finest filters
as the popularization of aquariums increased, so too did creativity in their design begin to develop. the craft of aquascaping, and the arrangement of aquatic plants to create an artful underwater landscape, is thought to have been introduced in the 1930s in the netherlands with the introduction of dutch-style aquascaping techniques. the style was intended to mimic a heavily planted english garden — underwater, following principles of harmony, depth, and simplicity. the dutch-style setup revolves primarily around plants with diverse leaf colors, sizes, and textures, while rocks, driftwood and other ornamentation absent from the scene.
aquascape evoking an overgrown cave and decaying trees
image by duc viet bui, CC BY-SA 4.0, via wikimedia commons
in contrast to the dutch-style, japanese photographer, designer, and aquarist takashi amano introduced a new style of underwater landscaping in the 1990s. amano authored a three-book series, nature aquarium world, on aquascaping and freshwater aquarium plants and fish. rather than evoking a colorful garden, his compositions drew from japanese gardening techniques, and avoid artificial ornamentation in an effort to highlight the beauty of the natural landscape. typically organized around a single focal point, an asymmetrical arrangement of relatively few species of plants is combined with carefully selected stones or driftwood. the style is largely inspired by the japanese aesthetic concept of wabi-sabi — an appreciation of ‘imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete’ beauty.
this lake malawi biotope with cichlids is an exhibit of artis, a zoo in amsterdam — note the absence of green plants
image by svdmolen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via wikimedia commons
since then, a huge range of interpretations, styles and techniques have developed across the aquascaping community. the iwagumi style derives from japanese rock formations, and refers to layouts that highlight the use of large stones and minimal geometries. meanwhile, a jungle-style aquascape is thought to incorporate both dutch and japanese features, with plants left to assume an overgrown, untrimmed aesthetic. serious aquascapers can enter competitions that are judged on composition, balance, and use of space, but also the biological well-being of the aquarium’s inhabitants. hobbyists and professionals alike can also draw inspiration of countless videos on youtube that share aquascaping tutorials and techniques.
discover aquascaping art and design in the photos and videos below…
iwagumi style aquascape, with the oyaishi stone at the right | image by lennart jöhnk, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via wikimedia commons
The greenskeeper: Create an underwater landscape
If you thought aquariums were only for fish, think again! You can create your own dream landscape in a little fish tank, and watch it come to life. It’s called aquascaping , a technique perfected in Japan in the 1990s. The idea is to build underwater miniature landscapes using rocks, pebbles, twigs and water plants. Some use schools of tiny shrimp and fish to bringing it all to life. The result is a fascinating painting-in-motion, that you can spend hours contemplating.
There’s no exact science to aquascaping. European aquascapes tend to be lush and flower-border like, while Japanese designs tend to be relaxing and zen-like. Choose a style that matches your personality. To start with, you need a sturdy aquarium tank with an aeration filter, dependable lighting, and a fairly light touch. Next, think of what you want to build. Rocks, boulders, pebbles, driftwood and twigs are the usual props used in aquascaping. Create rocky cliffs, a pebbled floor, or even a jungle using these elements. You need to think your design through well, though. Most aquascapes are built carefully, stone by stone, twig by twig, often going through multiple redesigns before they look the way they do. Try to give your design a focal point, like a large rock or twig, to tie everything together. A little tip here: the focal point should ideally be offset to the side, not bang in the centre. Years of meticulous research show that this is the ideal position for the dramatic element of any garden.
Next, get yourself some easy to work with aquarium plants. Not more than four or five varieties, though.Small-leafed varieties tend to work better in an aquascape, though you can experiment with bigger plants once you get the hang of it. Some easy growing plants like java moss are used to simulate grassy slopes, while others like water wisteria and java fern are used in backgrounds. More dramatic ones like the green tiger lotus make colourful feature plants. Sshh. Don’t tell anyone, but many aquascapers throw in a couple of artificial plants too, just to make sure their beautiful creations don’t look too bleak when the plants are in their shedding cycles! Place your plants fairly densely, but make sure the planting isn’t too chaotic. Peace, harmony and tranquillity are what you want to aim for, rather than a bunch of plants choking your aquarium!
Last, but not least, you need to bring your still creation to life! Plants and landscaping are usually the prime foci of aquascapes, so the fish you choose to complement them need to be small and pretty. Miniature shrimp look delightful in aquascapes, as do schools of small fish like blue tetras and guppies. Don’t overpopulate your aquascape with these though. You just need a few to make it look alive and welcoming. Make sure your aquarium filters, pumps and lights are in good working order, or you’ll end up with a bunch of dead fish in a quickly blackening aquarium, in no time! With a little care and patience, you’ll soon have a stunning aquascape in your own living room, that will be the centrepiece of conversation for many years to come!
GALLERIES View more photos
Plant Selection and Arrangement: Cultivating a Thriving, Visually Stunning Aquascape
A flourishing aquatic landscape necessitates careful plant selection and thoughtful arrangement, ensuring a delightful visual display that supports the health and vitality of your aquarium inhabitants:
- Plant Choice and Compatibility: Research a diverse range of aquatic plant species suitable for your aquascaping style, considering factors such as growth patterns, colour, texture, and compatibility with your chosen aquatic life. Opt for plants with varying heights, shapes, and leaf structures to add visual intrigue and complexity to your design.
- Arrangement and Composition: Compose your aquatic plant arrangement with consideration for balance, depth, and emphasis, placing taller species towards the back and shorter varieties towards the front. Utilise hardscape materials, such as rocks and driftwood, to provide focal points, contour, and support for your plantings. Experiment with plant groupings and placements to create an engaging, dynamic underwater tableau.
- Lighting and Plant Health: Equip your aquarium with appropriate lighting to promote optimal plant growth and colour expression. Tailor your lighting set-up to suit the specific needs of your chosen aquatic plants, offering the correct spectrum, intensity, and duration to ensure they thrive and contribute to the overall allure of your aquascape.
- Aquatic Plant Maintenance: Cultivate the ongoing health and vitality of your aquatic plants through regular trimming, fertilisation, and proper CO₂ supplementation. Adhere to a consistent maintenance routine to preserve the structural integrity and aesthetic balance of your underwater landscape.
Complementing Your Aquascape with Fish and Invertebrates
Inhabit your ethereal underwater dreamscape with a curated selection of fish and invertebrates that complement and harmonise with your aquatic plantings, adding life, colour, and movement to your aquascape:
- Fish Selection and Compatibility: Choose fish species that complement the style, colour scheme, and size of your aquascape, ensuring their compatibility with your chosen aquatic plants and other fish while also accommodating their unique care requirements.
- Schooling or Shoaling Fish: Include visually appealing schooling or shoaling species, as their synchronised swimming behaviours create a dynamic, captivating display that accentuates the overall visual impact of your aquascape.
- Invertebrates as Aquascape Adjuncts: Enhance your underwater landscape with invertebrates, such as shrimp and snails, which add diversity and functional benefits to your aquatic ecosystem, serving as natural algae and detritus control.
- Avoid Overstocking: To maintain the cleanliness and harmony of your aquascape, avoid overstocking your aquarium with excessive numbers of fish and invertebrates, which may lead to undesirable imbalances and overwhelm your aquatic environment.
Conclusion
Aquascaping is an extraordinary art form that merges human creativity with the innate allure of aquatic life, revealing a breathtaking underwater world of boundless imagination and serenity. With the guidance and support of Perfect Aquatics, your aquascaping masterpiece awaits, ready to transform your aquarium into a mesmerising aquatic tableau that enchants and captivates.
Visit Perfect Aquatics today to awaken your creative spirit and explore our extensive range of aquatic supplies and expert advice. Begin your aquascaping journey and discover the artistry of an exceptional aquatics store near you , rendering your underwater dreamscape into an enchanting, tangible reality.
