22/11/2021
Aquascaping Essentials
1. Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important pieces of aquascaping equipment. With crucial influence upon the health and growth of the aquascape plants, the lighting is considered to be the functioning heart of an aquarium.
2. Water Filters
As their name says it, the purpose of water filters is to remove excess food, fish waste, dangerous chemicals, and decaying organic matter within the aquarium. There are three basic methods you can filter water: mechanical, biological, and chemical, and most water filters on the market involve a combination of two of them.
3. Carbon Dioxide
The CO2 systems might be slightly costly, but they are essential for the growth of plants. No plant can grow without carbon dioxide. If you are truly passionate about aquascaping and find that you will continue it as a hobby, purchasing a good CO2 system enables them to grow their plants to their full potential.
4. Liquid Fertilizers
Fertilizers are necessary to plant growth the same way that vitamins are beneficial to the human body. Depending on the lighting and CO2 systems of the aquarium, there are two types of fertilizers you can use to keep it healthy: macronutrients and micronutrients. They both need to be dosed properly to create an appropriate aquatic environment.
5. Substrate
Aquascape plants absorb nutrients not only through their leaves, but also through their roots, which makes a correct selection of aquascaping substrate very important. Depending on the plants you want to grow (small foreground, tall background, etc.) the right substrate will ensure their proper size, development, and color of your plants.
6. Hardscape Materials
Sometimes plants are not enough to secure the aesthetic of an aquarium. Adding rocks, wood, or gravel makes them look as unique as possible. Arranging them in an unusual way allows you to use your creativity, but you can also follow layout guidelines. Hardscape materials like driftwood or rocks are essential elements that ensure the design and layout part of the entire aquascaping process.
Mastering the backbone of the aquascaping process is necessary if you want to be successful. You want your tank to be aesethically pleasing, your fish to feel comfortable, and your plants to grow to their full potential. You can do all of that by following a set of simple mathematical rules.
