Nature Style Aquarium
Now that you already determined the ideal location and dimensions of your tank, it is time to think about your planted aquarium style. In this article, we will be discussing the different aquascaping designs to unleash the inner artist in you, specifically, the Nature Style Aquarium.
Aquascaping is the art of arranging aquatic plants, driftwood, rocks, stones, and even the substrate in an aesthetically pleasing and natural manner.
You probably searched on the internet and was overwhelmed by tons of aquascaping images and still cannot decide. So in this article: the main characteristics, what tank to use, light, substrate, if you need CO2, what filter, fertilizer, hardscape, what fish and plants will be discussed to help you in your decisions.
Table of Contents
Nature Style
Recommended Layouts
What Tank to Use?
What Light to Use?
What Substrate?
Do I Need to Inject CO2?
Filtration
Do I Need to Dose Fertilizers?
Hardscape
What Fish?
Plants Selection
Conclusion
Closing Remarks
Why is it so important to know the different aquascaping designs?
These are no strict rules, and there is nothing that will hinder you from getting out of a particular design’s theme and combine it with other styles.
However, you’ll probably can create a much more appealing result if you are following a particular style.
So without further ado, here are the most common styles/designs you’ll see in planted aquariums.
Nature Style
The Nature Style aquascape can be great for beginner hobbyists when starting their first planted aquarium. This is the style you’ve probably seen all over the internet in various forms and compositions. As far as competition goes, this design was winning tons of awards.
It is mostly considered to be one of the most popular aquascape designs today. And for an excellent reason, this style is simply breathtaking and very natural looking. We are replicating nature, after all.
Nature style aquascape uses natural wood branches or driftwood, rocks, and stones to project a natural theme and provide a sense of flow to the form and composition.
This style re-creates various terrestrial landscapes like hills, valleys, mountains, rain forests, even a half-submerged ecosystem, etc. This design has limitless potential for beauty and creativity.
Nature Style 12x12x10 in Low Tech Aquascaped by Fritz Rabaya Philippines
Introduced by Takashi Amano, the nature aquascape or Ryoboku Style encompasses the same core principles of Japanese gardening techniques.
The Hardscape Diorama and Paludarium styles, which we will be discussing later and separately, are considered under the nature style as the Diorama and Paludarium styles overlap/blend with the core elements of a Nature style aquascape, except for immense complexity to build, great attention to details, sense of scale and volume, and understanding of physics in building nature-like structures.
Choosing a mix of undemanding plants means that an aquascape like this may look complex but easy to maintain as far as plants go. Epiphyte plants can be used on the hardscapes, carpet plants if you are using soil/aquasoil as substrate, rosette plants in the background, or even red-leaf plants to create contrast.
Colors are limited in a nature style aquarium, but there is no stopping you from using different colored plants.
A Unique Hardscape Nature Style Aquascaped by Doi Suason Philippines
Nature Style Aquascaped by Jeremy Navarro Philippines
Nature Style 2.5 Gallons Low-Tech Aquascaped by Omar Krishnan Afuang Philippines
Nature Style Deep Substrate Aquascaped by Armel Adman David Philippines
Recommended Layouts
Concave – the concave layout in nature style aquascape employs a low focal point object in the aquarium. Be it driftwood, a group of stones/rocks, or a cave, or a pathway, etc. This point will then gradually increase in height towards the sides and contrasted by tall-growing plant life or hardscapes that gradually ends toward the center. The concave layout can be used to illustrate natural settings like valleys, roads, or hills to project an illusion of depth and scale in our aquarium.
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Convex – the convex layout is the complete opposite of the Concave layout, where it uses masses of rocks, stones, and driftwood to create height as the centerpiece. There will be smaller plant life and hardscape from the centerpiece that decreases in height as it approaches the sides. We can also use sand around the centerpiece to depict a very natural looking island.
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Triangle – a high-rising focal point that starts from either side, your preference, then gradually decreasing towards the substrate level is the triangle layout’s characteristic.
Plantlife should also follow the layout, tallest from the high rising side, then gradually decreasing towards the other side.
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What Tank to Use?
From a tank as small as 5 gallons to the largest ones, 50 gallons and above, nature style aquascape can fit on most tank sizes. But this really depends on your budget, which we will discuss later below when it comes to the topic of hardscapes to use.
Showcasing a nature style aquarium is not about the size of the tank you used. It is your ability to create an illusion of depth, scale, and proportion that makes the scape looks larger.
Nature Style Aquascaped by Stoffer Samudio Philippines
Nature Style Aquascaped by Reynold San Andres Philippines
What Light to Use?
If you choose undemanding plants, having low to medium strength lighting is enough. A decent LED lighting for planted aquariums, or a T5 array can do the job. But I still recommend using a dimmer in your lighting whenever you can so you can adjust the intensity of your light lower when you notice unpleasant algae beginning to showing off their fangs.
The only ways you can adjust the intensity of a T5 array are by subtracting or adding tubes or adjusting the height higher or lower.
Nature Style Aquascaped by JayR Bagni Philippines
If you employ carpeting plants, use carpet plants that grow in lower lighting levels like Marsilea Crenata or Dwarf Sagittaria. You can even use any aquatic moss as carpets.
Using lower or medium-light levels allows you to have easier tank management, fewer algae issues to deal with, and slower growth rates mean less pruning/trimming.
If you know electronics and building skills, you can even DIY/experiment with your light fixture with LED bulbs, high powered LED beads. Some had success with LED floodlights, even 5730, 5630, 5050, and 3528 LED strips. I personally DIYed a 5630 LED strips lighting fixture, with warm white, cool white, red and blue LEDs, and a generic 3rd party dimmer.
Whichever route you choose for your planted aquarium lighting, the most important thing is you should be able to control/adjust the intensity (which can be done with 3rd party dimmers for LEDs, or if dimmers are not possible, you should be able to adjust the height of your lighting fixture.
For a more in-depth discussion about planted aquarium lighting, go here.
Nature Style Moss Evolution Aquascaped by Jay-R Huelar Philippines
What Substrate?
A soil-based planted aquarium like aqua soils will help grow plants, especially when using root-hungry rosette plants, red-leaf stem plants, and carpeting plants. You can also use organic potting/gardening soil topped with 1-inch layer of sand.
However, you have to prepare the soil by cooking/frying them or cooking them under the sun for several days before using them to prevent hitchhikers/parasites from getting into your tank.
Nature Style High-Tech Aquascaped by Jay-R Huelar Philippines
Sand can also be used around the island or in triangle-type layouts if you are not planting any plants there.
Do I Need to Inject CO2?
CO2 is recommended if you are using red-leaf plants to create contrast and demanding carpet plants. Many undemanding plants like Java Fern, Water Sprite, Water Wisteria, Anubias species, Bucephalandra species, Jungle Vallisneria, Hygrophila Pinnatifida, and mosses can grow well without deliberately injecting CO2. However, it takes a while for the aquascape to reach the desired effect, for the plants to mature and grow.
Nature Style 200 Gallons High-Tech Aquascaped by Michael Yap Philippines
Filtration
Good flow is required to distribute the nutrients and CO2 (if using one) all over the aquarium, provide surface agitation, and simulate underwater currents in nature. An appropriate size canister filter can be used to do the job. We can also deploy mini submersible water pumps or wavemakers to aid with circulation.
Nature Style – 80 Gallons Long – Eheim 600 Canister Filter – with 3 Wave Makers – High-Tech – Aquascaped by Ramon B. Isla – Philippines
Aim for 5x to 10x the water turnover rate. For example, if you have 15 gallons long tank, you should choose a filter that turns over the water at 75 (x5) to 150 gallons per hour (gph) (x10). The different types of filtration, types of filters that we can use in our planted aquariums, and considerations of what to look for in a planted aquarium filter are all discussed here.
Nature Style – 11 Gallons Bowl – Using SunSun 603B Canister Filter – Aquascaped by Terrence Guillermo – Philippines
Do I Need to Dose Fertilizers?
You should dose a leaner fertilization regime if you are using the undemanding plants mentioned above. But if you want to achieve the effect that you are aiming faster, injecting co2 and balancing the lights and fertilizers goes a long way.
You can insert Osmocote capsules/beads (a slow-release fertilizer) deep into the substrate to fertilize the substrate. Most carpeting plants benefit from this to spread faster and get thicker. This also works on your hungry stem plants by inserting beads of Osmocote near the plants’ roots.
Even aqua soils deplete its nutrients over time, and you can insert Osmocote into your substrate every 6 months.
Nature Style High-Tech Aquascaped by Jay-R Huelar Philippines
Nature Style Aquascaped by Andrian Jutba Philippines
Hardscape
Having a substantial amount of hardscapes like rocks, stones, and driftwood gives you more options and enhance your creativity when setting up the hardscape. But the amount of hardscapes should match the size of the tank of your choosing.
Remember that your hardscape design will be the foundation of your nature style scape. It will be the frame of the scene you are trying to showcase. This is where you plant the bulk of your plants. As the plants are grown in, they can significantly cover your hardscape. This creates volume/depth in the scape.
Please also note that the larger the tank, the hardscape materials, and even the substrate can easily sky-rocket in cost, even much higher than the tank, plus the equipment.
It is much better to concentrate your efforts, time, and money in small to medium-sized tanks concerning hardscapes than a larger tank that looks half-bare or half-scaped.
Hardscape Nature Style by Christian Pontiano Philippines
Hardscapes Nature Style by Jeremy Navarro Philippines
Hardscape Nature Style by Fritz Rabaya Philippines
Hardscape Nature Style by Ian Garrido Philippines
What Fish?
Shoaling/schooling fish with strong coloring creates contrast against the greenery background makes for breath-taking scenery. Cardinal/Neon Tetras, Glowlight Tetras, Rummy nose Tetras, Ember Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras are recommended. Aim for only 1-2 different species, each of schooling fish with at least 6-12 or more individuals. But I’ve seen nature aquariums locally that have Angelfishes, some peaceful Gouramis, or even Discus and Arowanas on huge tanks.
You can also add invertebrates such as snails and shrimps to the nano fish species mentioned above. Some hobbyists only keep snails and shrimps with no fish at all. For snails, we recommend Nerite and Ramshorn Snails. For Ramshorn snails, though, be mindful that their reproduction rate is proportional to the amount of food inside the aquarium (so don’t overfeed). Freshwater snails feast on organic dead matters (dead plant leaves, even dead fish, etc.), uneaten fish food, some types of algae. They can even clean your glass but not really efficient.
As for shrimps, we recommend Amano Shrimps, Red Cherry Shrimps (RCS), and other color morphs (Neocaridina sp.) and Caridina sp. (though more sensitive to your water parameters than Neocaridinas). Do not keep shrimps, though, if you have medium to large omnivorous fish. Always follow this rule: If you think the shrimp fits in their mouth, they will probably get eaten eventually.
Nature Style Aquascaped by Armel Adman David Philippines Two
Nature Style 2.2 Gallons Low-Tech Yellow-Back and Fire Red Shrimp Aquascaped by Ian Paz Philippines
Nature Style with Elements of Dutch High-Tech Aquascaped by Jay-R Huelar Philippines
Nature Style Triangle Layout Aquascaped by Moss Rhem Philippines
Plants Selection:
As mentioned above and in consideration with beginners who don’t want to mess around with strong lighting and CO2 injection and want only undemanding plants:
For Carpet/Foreground Plants:
Click Gallery to Enlarge and See the Captions
For Midground/Background Plants:
Click Gallery to Enlarge and See the Captions
Plants on Hardscape:
Click Gallery to Enlarge and See the Captions
Floating Plants:
Click Gallery to Enlarge and See the Captions
Note:
- Nymphaea Lotus Red – please note that these Nymphaea species can grow very large and are suitable in larger tanks 50 gallons or more.
- Rotala Rotundifolia (topmost leaves can turn orange or even pink when it gets taller and near the water surface and thus near the light source)
- Ludwigia Repens, Ovalis, Atlantis, Brevipes, Arcuata, and Super red mini. (Some of these Ludwigias’ leaves can turn orange or reddish-brown in moderate lighting in my experience, especially when nearing the light source, creating contrast when planted in bunches)
- Even Ludwigia Super red mini and Alternanthera Reineckii mini can be tied to the hardscape so you can create a contrast between the green mosses and the green background plants. They will grow roots in the nodes of their stems and get nutrients from the water column. You need to dose fertilizers to support this so that they can get the nutrients from the water column.
- Amazon Swords can develop enormous root systems under your substrate that can span the length of your tank. If you choose to have this plant on your scape, decide on their final position and don’t even try to uproot or relocate them once they are settled in your tank. It will create a big mess of flying debris and may disturb/uproot your other plants’ roots. It may also ruin your scape.
Nature Style Aquascaped by Oliver Silvestre Philippines
Nature Style Aquascaped by Jeremy Navarro Philippines
Conclusion:
Nature style aquascaping is a beautiful and natural representation of a nature landscape.
By using and choosing among 3 different layout shapes, the hobbyist has clear guidelines on the principles of how to set up a nature style aquarium.
However, this style’s execution requires attention to detail and dynamic skills to convey a sense of depth, scale, and proportion.
Nature Style 5 Gallons Low-Tech Aquascaped by Omar Krishnan Afuang Philippines
Nature Style Aquascaped by Khris F. Lim Philippines
Want to Explore More?
Closing Remarks
I hope you enjoyed this article and if ever you have additional questions or want to share your experiences with Nature Style Aquariums, please leave a comment below.
Next, we will be discussing the Iwagumi Style Aquascape.
Your post is so amazing on the topic at hand, I find aquascaping to be so unique. This is a great way to bring nature indoors while bringing that much-needed change. Thanks so much for the breakdown, I myself at one-time hand and interest in how this works and after seeing what you have to offer has cause me once again to have some thoughts on giving aquascaping a try. Thanks so much for sharing a well-detailed post.
Thank you Norman! I hope in some way I was able to help you in your decision in starting up a planted aquarium at your own home. Please come back and watch out for more articles coming soon.
Wow, this is a very good article. It is informative and well-written. Thank you. I do have a question though. You recommended a few types of species of fish, will this cause any problems (fighting, eating each other, etc.) by them being together in a fixed space? It may not be, but I remember watching a few videos where certain fish do no interact well with others.
Hi Cinamatics, thank you that you find my article informative. Those fish are peaceful specially the tetras and rasboras and will not cause any problems. And yes, I will not recommend fish that will destroy your plants nor not suitable for a community tank.
I really enjoyed your article. So much information but it is really clear. I did have a very small aquarium years ago but it was nothing like these. These are really beautiful. If I were in a position to have one I would seriously come back to your site. You cover everything, fish, plants. Thank you for this.
Thank you so much Louise that you enjoyed my article. I hope in some way or two, I was able to help you in your decision to start your very first planted aquarium at your own home. Please come back and watch out for more articles coming soon.
Simply gorgeous. I had a friend that had several tanks throughout her home years ago. I had one myself for a few years, but didn’t have any live plantlife in it. It was a lot of work that I grew tired of and no one else in the house seemed to think it was their job, so I loaded it up and gave it away. Luckily it wasn’t a very big setup. LOL! Anyway, I have always envied people that have the knowhow and dedication it takes to maintain aquatic tanks.
Hi Carrie,
You can also do it! You are in the right direction upon finding my site. Please watch out for more articles coming soon and thank you for sharing your experience
This article is really good.
I love the “nature style of aquascaping design” because it gives one the opportunity to be creative, you can recreate the part of nature you love for your viewing pleasure, bringing nature into the home. I love it because it gives the home a cool and warm sensation.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Lizzy,
Thank you that you love this article about Nature Style Aquariums. I hope in some way or two i was able to help you in your decision to take into this hobby. Cheers!
I have always admired these aquariums and wondered how they are created. I enjoyed the simplicity and your approach and this has evoked my interest while absorbing the enlightenment emanating from your article. I kept wondering how do you really select the type of fish to use and the role of the climatic conditions. I stay in South Africa where it is mostly hot and the temperatures may get up to 42 degrees Celsius and 1 degree Celsius in winter, so which type of fish would survive in such extreme temperatures or I may need to heat up the water in order to maintain a constant temperature? Do you have cost estimation or formula one could use to evaluate the feasibility of building such a design?
Thank you again, I just learned a lot about aquariums and will do one for experimentation and integrate it with my garden.
Regards
Welcome Moeng
Hi Moeng,
Thank you That you that you find this article interesting. About your question, what is the ambient temperature inside your home during the warm and cold times of the year? I mean are you using airconditioning during the warm weather and using a heater at home during the cold winters? Without this, I cannot recommend a product to you. The idea is you should be able to maintain a stable temp for your aquarium so as not to shock the fish of your choice and and also affect your plants. But in general, you should at least maintain your tank’s temp from 24 to 27 degress Celsius for a planted tank. Chillers can help or fans directed to the water surface of your aquarium during hot weather or if you have airconditioning in one room, place the aquarium in that room. During the winters, you can use a heater for aquariums. Or if you have a heater in your home/room. But I cannot recommend for now the wattage (for chillers and heater), appropriate for your needs without the ambient temps data.
Thanks for such an informative and awesome article, so much knowledge in it. For a while I have been so confused on the type of aquascaped style to put up. I am so glad I am getting this article on time. I think the nature style aquascaped style is amazing and I love this nature style of Jeremy Navarro it’s just so beautiful. Thanks once again this information was helpful.
Hi Sheddy thank you for appreciating one of the creative works of my good friend Jeremy. And thank you for finding my article about Nature style aquascaping informative. Please watch out for more articles coming soon.
I know that finding a good article does not come by so easily so i must commend your effort in creating such a beautiful website and writing an article to help others with useful information like this. i could not help but stare at the beautiful aquariums in this post. i had to read the page again.
Hi Perry,
Thanks for your interest! I hope in some way I was able to help you in your decision to start your very own planted aquarium at your home. Please watch out for more articles coming soon. If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
I would first like to mention that this is a helpful post and i am very sure that the content of your superb article will be of much help to a lot of people, just as it has greatly helped me. very good article on aquascaping and designs of some beautiful aquarium. t am enlightened by this superb post.
Hi Smoochi and thank you for the enlightening comment too. I hope in some way or two, I was able to help you in your decision to start your very own planted aquarium at home. Please watch out for more essential articles coming soon about this hobby.
These are amazing aquarium design photos. This will definitely create an ambiance of nature to add in an otherwise empty space in my house. This is a really neat idea. I am actually imagining one right by my living room area with fish making it even come to life.
I’ve never had this type of natural landscaping inside my house before and having one will be an awesome experience. I’ll have to get back to your other articles to learn additional information about it. Thank you for this article. I also love that your background color on your website matches what you’re talking about, which is nature.
Hello Richard thank you! I hope in some way or two, I am able to help you decide to keep a piece of nature at your home. Please watch out for more articles coming soon. And if ever you have questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to ask. We have all your backs!
What a very informative post! Thx Lemuel !
I liked your aesthetic presentation of your aquarium styles. It’s really like you have an aquatic nature in your living room.
You’ve revived in me my dream to have an aquarium in my new house in pipeline.
You’ll see me again at your website for inspiration!
By the way, I liked also the theme chosen for your website!
All the best!
Bathwag
Hello Bathwag,
Thank you for the kind words and appreciation about the design of my website. This will be same the feeling when you have your planted aquarium at home already stable and requires minimal human intervention. I hope in some way or two I was able to help you in your decision to start your very own planted aquarium at home. Please watch out for more articles coming soon.