Do you have a large aquarium at home? Apply one of your favorite aquascape styles to enhance the appearance of the aquarium
For those who have an aquarium at home, surely you want it to be an attractive display, not just water and fish. One way to beautify your aquarium is by creating an aquascape within the glass box of the aquarium. What is aquascape? Aquascape is the art of arranging aquatic plants, rocks, wood, or coral naturally and beautifully in an aquarium so that it resembles an underwater garden. Various styles of aquascape design can be chosen according to your taste. Here are some interesting aquascape examples that catch the eye.
Dutch Style
This aquascape design, which uses various types of plants, is one of the oldest styles compared to other design styles. Popularized in the 1930s in the Netherlands, this design does not use hardscape elements such as rocks or wood; only plants are used. The placement of contrasting plant colors makes it visually appealing. Typically, stem plants of various species and colors are used in this style. The plants can also cover various aquarium equipment like water filters, maintaining the aquarium's visual appeal.
Iwagumi Style
This style has a relatively simple design. Developed in Japan by Takashi Amano, it is unique and minimalist. Arranging the aquarium with an odd number of stones reflects Japanese culture and is aesthetically pleasing. It's not just about placing an odd number of rocks; the size of the stones is also crucial. The design should include larger stones and smaller ones. By using the golden ratio and the rule of thirds, a balanced appearance in the arrangement of odd-numbered stones is achieved. The use of marine plants is also simple, ensuring they do not obscure the beauty of the stones.
Nature Style
This style is a common choice because it resembles natural environments. With the appearance of hills, valleys, and various natural settings, many people appreciate its beauty. More precisely, this design mimics an island within the aquarium. It includes features such as trees, sand, grassy hills, creating a harmonious unit.
Taiwanese Style
The Taiwanese-style aquascape has easily recognizable characteristics. Although it is now less commonly used, it was quite popular in the past. This aquascape style is known for its unique accessories that make it look like a miniature human world, including houses, statues, bridges, miniature humans and animals, and various other decorations. It's like a diorama inside an aquarium—unique and beautiful.
Biotope Style
Biotope style aquariums are designed to resemble existing aquatic landscapes. This style provides a replica of a place in a smaller aquarium form. It's not just about the plants; it also includes fish and water temperature adjusted to mimic the natural habitat. This style is often designed for research purposes. Observers of an aquarium designed in the biotope style get a glimpse of what happens in rivers, swamps, or various other places around the world.
Jungle Style
If you have a large aquarium, the jungle style can be a great choice. The wild ecosystem appearance creates a captivating natural atmosphere. Of course, this intricate design also poses a challenge because the aquarium keeper must maintain it well to keep it looking beautiful. The key to the jungle style is the variation of plants within it. This style also allows the owner to express their creativity.
The Walstad Mehthod
This style is likely a design that you won't find in most aquascaping awards. It involves using various plants and rocks arranged randomly. This is because everything that happens in nature is formed naturally without various elements arranged to look beautiful. The plants placed in this design are allowed to grow naturally, giving it a natural appearance. In this design, there is no need to change the water content too frequently.
