Dutch Dreamscape

Introduction:​

Hi my name is Matt Dao (@Hardwell).

I am a registered respiratory therapist with a decade of experience in planted tanks. I've cultivated a unique passion for planted tank and aquascaping in my spare time.


My fascination with aquariums began with a humble goldfish tank, which sparked a journey that has spanned over 10 years. This hobby holds sentimental value, as it was inspired by my father's own goldfish-keeping endeavors.

Through this creative outlet, I've developed a keen eye for aquatic design and a deep appreciation for the serenity that thriving aquatic ecosystems can bring.

Advice for those new to planted aquariums:​

What got me over the hump of my problems in the past is fertilization. I had lights, CO2, but I was severely under-fertilizing, causing my plants to grow algae and become small and stunted which also seems to be a known problem across the aquascaping hobby.

Therefore my advice here is to understand your NPK goal values and dose accordingly. I chose 30/10/30 in the past which worked well, I am now experimenting with 20/6/20.
My other advice here is to vacuum your substrate, despite the myth of mulm buildup being beneficial, it causes more harm than good. Invisible dissolved organics contribute to algae, you want your tank to be as clean as possible.

Happy aquascaping and good luck to you alls future endeavors!