Nature Aquariums and Aquascaping Inspiration

Aquascaping is the craft of planning aquatic crops, as well as rocks, stones, cavework, or driftwood, within an aesthetically pleasing manner within an aquarium--in effect, gardening under water. Aquascape designs include a number of different styles, including the garden-like Dutch style and the Japanese-inspired aspect style.Typically, an aquascape homes fish as well as crops, although it can be done to create an aquascape with plants only, or with rockwork or other hardscape and no plants.Although the primary aim of aquascaping is to set-up an artful underwater panorama, the technical aspects of fish tank maintenance and the development requirements of aquatic plants are also taken into account.Many factors must be balanced in the sealed system of an aquarium container to ensure the success associated with an aquascape. These factors include filtration, maintaining skin tightening and at levels sufficient to aid photosynthesis underwater, substrate and fertilization, lamps, and algae control.Aquascape hobbyists trade plant life, do contests, and share images and information via the Internet.The United States-based Aquatic Gardeners Relationship has about 1,200 members.