Your First Nature Aquarium [Part II]

This is a continuation of Your First Nature Aquarium [Part I]; click here to catch up.

From this point you should already have you tank cleaned and prepared for this step. You want to place your tank in the location you want it to be permanently, it is really difficult to move a tank once it is finally set up.

If you have not selected the wood you are going to use in your nature aquarium, here are a few tips to help with picking out pieces for your aquarium.

1. Do not be afraid to use odd looking pieces that have interesting angles and curves. These pieces are the ones that give your tank a unique look and can be the final touch the aqua-scape requires.

2. Do not look at one store for pieces. Always pick and choose from multiple stores, this allows you to have a greater selection to choose from when setting up your aquarium.

3. Have fun! If you find a piece that makes you laugh, buy it. This is your tank, if a piece "speaks" to you or just looks cool, get it. You want to make this your tank in every way.

After acquiring the wood for the tank, it is up to you for the rocks. I choose rocks that support my wood pieces while also giving my aqua-scape a nature appeal, this is after all a nature aquarium. Many nature aquariums include rock to support other pieces or consist of just rock.

Now we begin laying the sediment in the tank. I started with Back Flourite due to using it in the past and being very pleased with the out come. I washed the sediment before use and put a layer, about 1/2 inch on the bottom of the tank. I did not show it here, but I eventually left a space of 1 to 1.5 inches between the glass front and the flourite. This will be explained later.

After I smoothed this layer I opened the Power Sand donated by Aquarium Design Group whom are part of Aqua Design Amano in the United States. They donated two substrates that Takashi Amano uses in designing his nature aquariums. The power sand has a large granular size allowing oxygen to reach plant roots while also preventing packing of the sediment. Also, the power sand is covered in beneificial minerals/peat that provides nutrients for the plants. I evenly distributed the power sand on top of the flourite while leaving a space between the sides of the aquarium and the power sand.

With the power sand smoothed, I can now easily put the last layer of sediment in the tank. This layer is the Aqua Soil Amazonia (donated by Aquairum Design Group) which acts and looks like normal sediment. It is easier to pile and create angles with than normal gravel used in aquariums and it naturally lowers the pH of the water to a level that plants are able to comfortalbly absob nutrients and grow.

I evenly distributed the amazonia sediment over the power sand while also creating an slope, where the highest part is the back of the tank. This aids in giving the aquarium depth and helps in planting the background. After the sediments had been added to the tank, I put a small amount of decorative white sand in the front of the tank. I did this to help clear out an area where the fish can easily swim because the plants will not be able to grow there.

The last addition to the tank is the wood and the rocks. I knew I wanted the pieces to be centered in the middle of the tank and to have even empty space on each side. It is very important to note the empty space shaped by your pieces and the overall "balance" of the pieces in the aquarium. I recommend reading about the different types of layouts and the balance of empty space. This step can be very time consuming because you have to balance the wood pieces with the rocks while also trying to create the look you want. But, after the hard work the end product is very satisfying.

Next post will be including which plants I am using (and why!), setting up the CO2 system and the lights. Then my nature aquarium and hopefully yours will be a masterpiece of nature!

Next: Your First Nature Aquarium Part III

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