Aquascaping means designing your aquarium like an underwater garden, with live plants, rock and wood. It looks great and plants help water quality too. Here's how to start simply.
1. Plan your layout
Keep it simple: taller plants at the back, shorter ones at the front, and an open swimming area. Many scapers place the main feature slightly off-centre.
2. Substrate
Use a clean aquarium sand or gravel, sloping it slightly higher at the back for depth.
3. Live plants
Start with hardy, easy plants, then add more once the tank is settled.
 Live Aquarium Plants |
 Bolbitus Aquarium Plant |
 SuperFish SCAPERS FLOATING PLANTY L |
 Superfish scapers tool support |
4. Lighting
Plants need the right light. LED units like the SuperFish Scaper range are designed for planted tanks. Use a timer for a consistent daily cycle, since too much light encourages algae.
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SuperFish SCAPER LED 74 CM / 28 WATT |
 Superfish Scaper LED RGB |
5. Cycle before adding fish
Let the tank cycle and test the water before adding fish, then stock slowly.
 NT Labs Aquarium AxoStart 100ml |
 NT Labs Aquarium Ammonia Test |
New to fishkeeping? Read our tropical fish tank set-up guide and aquarium supplies guide, and see the tropical and coldwater fish for sale in Cornwall.
Shop at Pet Market – our online pet shop delivers across the UK (free delivery over £79.99), or Click & Collect at 12 Wilson Way, Redruth TR15 3RQ (01209 217666).
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