Planted tank field notes · Aquascaping & planted aquariums

A practical guide to aquascaping and planted aquariums.

From the first hardscape to the daily trim, here are thirty aquascaping techniques — how to compose a scape, lay its substrate, light it, plant it, and keep it clean and balanced.

01Layout & Composition

The classic ways to compose a planted tank — Iwagumi, Dutch, nature, and more — and the principles behind a balanced scape.

001 Iwagumi Layout Intermediate 002 Dutch Aquarium Intermediate 003 Nature Aquarium Intermediate 016 Biotope Aquarium Beginner 017 Jungle Style Beginner 018 Island Layout Advanced

02Hardscape & Substrate

Driftwood, stone, and layered substrate: the bones and floor of a planted tank that everything else grows on.

004 Choosing Driftwood Beginner 005 Aquascaping Stone Beginner 006 Substrate Layering Intermediate 019 Hardscape Preparation Beginner 020 Soil Capping Intermediate 021 Hardscape Cleaning Beginner

03Lighting, CO₂ & Fertilization

The growth triangle of planted tanks — how light, carbon dioxide, and nutrients work together to drive healthy plant growth.

007 Aquarium Lighting Beginner 008 CO₂ Injection Intermediate 009 Liquid Fertilizers Beginner 022 Fertilizer Schedule Intermediate 023 Photoperiod Beginner 024 CO₂ Drop Checker Beginner

04Aquatic Plants

Carpet, midground, background, and floating plants — how to choose, plant, and grow each layer of the scape.

010 Carpet Plants Intermediate 011 Background Plants Beginner 012 Midground Plants Beginner 025 Mosses & Epiphytes Beginner 026 Stem Plants Beginner 027 Floating Plants Beginner

05Maintenance & Troubleshooting

The routine that keeps a planted tank clean and balanced — water changes, trimming, algae, and diagnosing problems.

013 Algae Control Intermediate 014 Water Changes Beginner 015 Plant Trimming Intermediate 028 Glass Cleaning Beginner