Although many plant types are used, one typically sees neatly trimmed groupings of plants with fine, feathery foliage, such as Limnophila aquatica and various types of Hygrophila, along with the use of red-leaved Alternanthera reineckii, Ammania gracilis, and assorted Rotala for color highlights.

Linear rows of plants running left-to-right are referred to as 'Dutch streets'. It emphasizes plants located on terraces of different heights, and frequently omits rocks and driftwood. This style was developed in the Netherlands starting in the 1930s, as freshwater aquarium equipment became commercially available. The Dutch aquarium employs a lush arrangement in which multiple types of plants having diverse leaf colors, sizes, and textures are displayed much as terrestrial plants are shown in a flower garden. See also: Garden design and Water garden Dutch style Dutch style aquascape The United States-based Aquatic Gardeners Association has about 1,200 members. Īquascape hobbyists trade plants, conduct contests, and share photographs and information via the Internet.

These factors include filtration, maintaining carbon dioxide at levels sufficient to support photosynthesis underwater, substrate and fertilization, lighting, and algae control. Many factors must be balanced in the closed system of an aquarium tank to ensure the success of an aquascape. Īlthough the primary aim of aquascaping is to create an artful underwater landscape, the technical aspects of tank maintenance and the growth requirements of aquatic plants are also taken into consideration. With the increasing availability of mass-produced freshwater fishkeeping products and popularity of fishkeeping following the First World War, hobbyists began exploring the new possibilities of creating an aquarium that did not have fish as the main attraction. Typically, an aquascape houses fish as well as plants, although it is possible to create an aquascape with plants only, or with rockwork or other hardscape and no plants.Īquascaping appears to have begun to be a popular hobby in the 1930s in the Netherlands, following the introduction of the Dutch style aquascaping techniques.

Aquascape designs include a number of distinct styles, including the garden-like Dutch style and the Japanese-inspired nature style. Craft of designing and planting aquariumsĥ8 gallon (220 litre) freshwater aquascapeĪquascaping is the craft of arranging aquatic plants, as well as rocks, stones, cavework, or driftwood, in an aesthetically pleasing manner within an aquarium-in effect, gardening under water.

Round modern fish tank for plants