While fish-keeping has always been popular among hobbyists, more enthusiasts are turning to designing planted tank set-ups instead. Interested to add an aquarium to your living room? Here are 10 inspiring tank styles you can consider.
1) The bonsai
Perfect for small/nano-sized tanks, all you need are substrate materials, a piece of driftwood and some moss tied to the top branches. Small fish, such as neon tetra, complement this look nicely.
2) The Japanese willow
More complicated in style, this setting requires the use of rough-edged river rocks to go with the various plants. The important aspect to note is that such looks require time for the palnts to grow over the base rocks and wood (over the course of 3-4 weeks), so there’s a good deal of patience involved.
3) The valley
By using different coloured base substrate and rocks, you can create the look of a winding path between two hills. The moss at the top is attached using pieces of wire mesh.
4) The Iwagumi rocks
A style that was developed in Japan, this look focuses on the uniqueness of the rock formations and uses only one or two types of plants. Although it looks simple to achieve, a lot of emphasis lies on selecting the perfect stones that can complement each other. Many tank enthusiats liken this to an artform not unlike Ikebana.
5) The redwood forest
If space allows, opt for a longer tank with shorter height. Using long and straight pieces of wood will hep to create the look of a deep forest filled with plenty of undergrowth.
6) The evergreen forest
This look requires the use of a wide tank in order to create the various layers of undulating meadows and hills. The pines are created by attached pieces of moss to short driftwood that has been cut to shape.
7) The dense jungle
Instead of straight branches, curly pieces of driftwood can also be used to create the look of a large and old tree. Plants with larger leaves help to evoke the lush and leafy settings often seen in tropical rainforests.
8) The Zen-garden
Those who prefer a more understated and clean look can consider such settings, with several long and sharp stones rising from the base in various directions, brought together by a gathering of low-lying moss.
9) The floating peak
Create a floating island by hanging a piece of pumice stone from an overhead grill. Once the moss overgrows the stone, it will look like the island is naturally detached from the forest below.
10) The fantasy land
If you loved the movie Avatar and want to create the magical land it’s set in, you can add more hanging islands across a larger tank. Combine with the valley look to add depth to the entire set-up.