

The substrate should be very fine and almost disappear in the tank. Scale and simplicity are critical to this style. The plants are used as a backdrop to highlight the rock features or are used to mimic trees and bushes along a hilltop.

Many Iwagumi-style tanks aim to recreate specific natural landscapes too. It’s almost like recreating an underwater mountainside in your aquarium. A few small-growing plants are chosen to balance and harmonize the effect. The Iwagumi aquascape utilizes odd-numbered rocks as the primary hardscape, with the largest “Father” rock dominating the tank. Takashi Amano, known as the Father of Modern Aquascape, brought this style to its current height of popularity. The most popular styles of aquascaping include: Iwagumi or Japanese Style Learn more at You may find yourself drawn to a specific look or style, or you may prefer to use elements from several styles in your tank. There are many styles of aquascaping, just as there are many styles of terrestrial gardening.

When you get into aquascaping, your focus shifts from the animals to the plants and other visual elements in your tank. But for some aquarists, fish are practically an afterthought. Many folks get into aquarium keeping because they want beautiful community tanks filled with fish and other aquatic species. 75-Gallon Natural Aquascape with Low Lighting Lakebottom Aquascape with Sandy Substrate Natural Lakebottom Aquascape How-To Video
