A concise guide to creating a mini aquascape for beginners

 

‌Materials Needed‌

  1. ‌Container‌: Cleaned 5L plastic bottle or small glass tank (e.g., 35×25×21cm)
  2. ‌Substrate‌:
    • 5-8mm volcanic rocks (5cm thick for pH balance)
    • Aquarium soil (2-3cm for plant nutrition)
    • 5-8mm river stones (for decoration)
  3. ‌Plants & Livestock‌:
    • Plants: Glosso (Micranthemum umbrosum), Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis parvula)
    • Fish: 1-2 guppies or neon tetras (1cm fish per liter)
  4. ‌Tools‌:
    • Scissors, tweezers, pH test kit
    • Mini filter (optional)

‌Step-by-Step Process‌

  1. ‌Prepare the Container‌
    • Sterilize with potassium permanganate (1:1000) for 2 hours, rinse thoroughly.
  2. ‌Layer the Substrate‌
    • Add large volcanic rocks at the bottom, compact to stabilize.
    • Cover with smaller volcanic rocks (3-6mm), then add soil.
  3. ‌Plant the Vegetation‌
    • Use tweezers to plant foreground species (e.g., Dwarf Hairgrass) densely.
    • Place background plants (e.g., Hygrophila polysperma) in the rear.
  4. ‌Add River Stones‌
    • Arrange stones in a natural pattern, leaving open spaces for fish.
  5. ‌Fill with Water‌
    • Slowly pour aged water (left for 24 hours) to avoid disturbing the substrate.
  6. ‌Cycle the Tank‌
    • Let the tank run for 7 days before adding fish to establish beneficial bacteria.

‌Maintenance Tips‌

  • ‌Lighting‌: 6-8 hours daily for plant growth.
  • ‌Water Changes‌: Replace 20% weekly.
  • ‌Avoid Overcrowding‌: Limit fish to prevent waste buildup.

 

Aquarium-Supplies