Hello everyone,
I'm excited to share the beginning of my 75P aquascape journal here on Scape Crunch!
This aquascape is inspired by the timeless works of Takashi Amano and his iconic Nature Style layouts. While I have experience with Dutch hybrids and aquatic garden style aquascapes, this will be my first true attempt at a Nature Style aquascape.
For me, aquascaping is a constantly evolving journey. It challenges us to try new approaches, refine our skills, and embrace the ever changing nature of the underwater world. Committing to this style is both a personal challenge and an opportunity to grow as an aquascaper.
If you have any questions, thoughts, or feedback, feel free to jump into the thread. I’d love to hear from you!
Thank you for taking the time to follow along...
------------------------------------------
Specs:
Lighting: WeekAqua A430 Pro
Filtration: Oase Biomaster Thermo 350
Filtration Hosing: UNS Pro Filter Tubing
Co2 Cylinder: Misc 10lb Cylinder
Co2 Regulator: GLA GRO Co2 Regulator
Co2 Diffuser: GLA Atomic Stainless Steel CO2 Diffuser
Inflow & Outflow Pipes: GLA X Series Stainless Steel Lily Pipe Set
Substrate: UNS Controsoil - Brown, ‘fine’
Fertilization: 2Hr Aquarist - APT 'E'
Other Misc Equipment:
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Plant List | 8/3/25 :
1 ) Blyxa japonica
2 ) Pogostemon Erectus
3 ) Pogostemon stellatus 'Dassen'
4 ) Echinodorus Tenellus (Helanthium tenellum)
5 ) Eleocharis sp. Mini
6 ) Rotala 'Orange Juice'
7 ) Cryptocoryne Petchii
8 ) Anubias Bonsai
9 ) Anubias Barteri Petite Coin
10 ) Fissidens Fontanus
11 ) Microsorum Pteropus 'Windelov'
12) Cryptocoryne "Flamingo"
------------------------------------------
May 19th, Hardscape:
I began this aquascape in my living room, in a spot where it would be viewed primarily from the left side and center, as pictured. Designing a layout to be appreciated from more than just a head-on perspective presented a unique challenge for me..
I wanted the hardscape to feel balanced and cohesive while also complementing the natural flow of the surrounding living space.
With the help and insight of several talented friends in the aquascaping community, with special thanks to Import, Dennis Wong, and others, I spent several weeks shifting the wood until everything felt just right. The layout in the image below was the result of that process. To me, it captured a sense of flow that resonated with me and thankfully, my partner loved it too!
June 8th, Planting:
After finalizing the hardscape, it was time to move on to planting!
I designed a planting layout that I felt would compliment the scape well, incorporating a variety of species that were new to me. In the past, I’ve been more familiar with high tech oriented plants. This time, in keeping with the Nature Style, I chose species like Java Fern 'Windelov', Echinodorus 'Tenellus', and Anubias Sp.
Attaching each plant was incredibly tedious, and covering the hardscape with moss was especially labor intensive. It took about five to six hours to complete, even if it might appear minimal in the photo. Still, the entire process was a lot of fun, and I was really happy with how it all came together in the end.
June 27th, Diatom Explosion:
A couple of weeks after planting, I experienced what might have been the worst diatom outbreak I’ve ever encountered. It was so severe that the tank actually became a featured example in the 2Hr Aquarist article titled, "How to control brown algae (diatoms) in planted aquariums"
Staying motivated during this period was incredibly difficult. Despite daily removal and meticulous management, twice as many diatoms would return within just an 8 hour period. It felt like an endless battle! The war on diatoms was overwhelming at times, but with persistence and support from fellow aquascapers, I was reminded that this is just part of the journey, and that things would eventually get better...
July 15th, Diatoms Receding:
July 30th, Status Update:
Within just one month~, the diatom outbreak had completely disappeared. After countless rounds of manual removal, careful dosing with Excel, and trying everything I could think of, the moment finally arrived when it simply vanished. One day it was just gone...!
Today, the aquascape rests in a peaceful state, steadily growing and filling in. Daily dosing of 2.2 milliliters of APT 'E' alongside 50% weekly water changes seems to have brought everything into a healthy balance. This sense of serenity comes with its own challenges, though.
For the life of me, I cannot get my Pogostemon 'Erectus' to grow. I have tried several different approaches, yet it remains frozen at the same height, looking as lovely as ever but refusing to budge. I may end up replacing it, but for now I am giving it more time.
Anyway, that is enough rambling from me for now. The images below are the latest from the aquascape...
Until the next update, enjoy!
I'm excited to share the beginning of my 75P aquascape journal here on Scape Crunch!
This aquascape is inspired by the timeless works of Takashi Amano and his iconic Nature Style layouts. While I have experience with Dutch hybrids and aquatic garden style aquascapes, this will be my first true attempt at a Nature Style aquascape.
For me, aquascaping is a constantly evolving journey. It challenges us to try new approaches, refine our skills, and embrace the ever changing nature of the underwater world. Committing to this style is both a personal challenge and an opportunity to grow as an aquascaper.
If you have any questions, thoughts, or feedback, feel free to jump into the thread. I’d love to hear from you!
Thank you for taking the time to follow along...
------------------------------------------
Specs:
Lighting: WeekAqua A430 Pro
Filtration: Oase Biomaster Thermo 350
Filtration Hosing: UNS Pro Filter Tubing
Co2 Cylinder: Misc 10lb Cylinder
Co2 Regulator: GLA GRO Co2 Regulator
Co2 Diffuser: GLA Atomic Stainless Steel CO2 Diffuser
Inflow & Outflow Pipes: GLA X Series Stainless Steel Lily Pipe Set
Substrate: UNS Controsoil - Brown, ‘fine’
Fertilization: 2Hr Aquarist - APT 'E'
Other Misc Equipment:
- GLA Misc. Drop Checker
- ~46” Mountable Plug Strip
- GLA Atomic Premium Quick Disconnect & Flow Control Valve
- GLA 17mm Stainless Steel Extension Piece - Inflow (X-Series)
- GLA Misc. Tungsten Tools
- UNS Surface Skimmer
------------------------------------------
Plant List | 8/3/25 :
1 ) Blyxa japonica
2 ) Pogostemon Erectus
3 ) Pogostemon stellatus 'Dassen'
4 ) Echinodorus Tenellus (Helanthium tenellum)
5 ) Eleocharis sp. Mini
6 ) Rotala 'Orange Juice'
7 ) Cryptocoryne Petchii
8 ) Anubias Bonsai
9 ) Anubias Barteri Petite Coin
10 ) Fissidens Fontanus
11 ) Microsorum Pteropus 'Windelov'
12) Cryptocoryne "Flamingo"
------------------------------------------
May 19th, Hardscape:
I began this aquascape in my living room, in a spot where it would be viewed primarily from the left side and center, as pictured. Designing a layout to be appreciated from more than just a head-on perspective presented a unique challenge for me..
I wanted the hardscape to feel balanced and cohesive while also complementing the natural flow of the surrounding living space.With the help and insight of several talented friends in the aquascaping community, with special thanks to Import, Dennis Wong, and others, I spent several weeks shifting the wood until everything felt just right. The layout in the image below was the result of that process. To me, it captured a sense of flow that resonated with me and thankfully, my partner loved it too!
June 8th, Planting:
After finalizing the hardscape, it was time to move on to planting!
I designed a planting layout that I felt would compliment the scape well, incorporating a variety of species that were new to me. In the past, I’ve been more familiar with high tech oriented plants. This time, in keeping with the Nature Style, I chose species like Java Fern 'Windelov', Echinodorus 'Tenellus', and Anubias Sp.
Attaching each plant was incredibly tedious, and covering the hardscape with moss was especially labor intensive. It took about five to six hours to complete, even if it might appear minimal in the photo. Still, the entire process was a lot of fun, and I was really happy with how it all came together in the end.
June 27th, Diatom Explosion:
A couple of weeks after planting, I experienced what might have been the worst diatom outbreak I’ve ever encountered. It was so severe that the tank actually became a featured example in the 2Hr Aquarist article titled, "How to control brown algae (diatoms) in planted aquariums"
Staying motivated during this period was incredibly difficult. Despite daily removal and meticulous management, twice as many diatoms would return within just an 8 hour period. It felt like an endless battle! The war on diatoms was overwhelming at times, but with persistence and support from fellow aquascapers, I was reminded that this is just part of the journey, and that things would eventually get better...
July 15th, Diatoms Receding:
July 30th, Status Update:
Within just one month~, the diatom outbreak had completely disappeared. After countless rounds of manual removal, careful dosing with Excel, and trying everything I could think of, the moment finally arrived when it simply vanished. One day it was just gone...!
Today, the aquascape rests in a peaceful state, steadily growing and filling in. Daily dosing of 2.2 milliliters of APT 'E' alongside 50% weekly water changes seems to have brought everything into a healthy balance. This sense of serenity comes with its own challenges, though.
For the life of me, I cannot get my Pogostemon 'Erectus' to grow. I have tried several different approaches, yet it remains frozen at the same height, looking as lovely as ever but refusing to budge. I may end up replacing it, but for now I am giving it more time.
Anyway, that is enough rambling from me for now. The images below are the latest from the aquascape...
Until the next update, enjoy!
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