5 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Aquascaping

[@JTCT371]

For my first planted aquascape, I just dove in. I made mistakes which I will not make on my next project. I have enough experience to know how everything is supposed to work. One thing I did right was to add at least 2 plants per gallon....the result? After 3 weeks, 1 week to let plants adapt to my water, added snails the second week, and added fish this past Saturday......Instead of an ammonia reading, Ive gotten insane growth out of my plants in less than a week with no CO2....So if I had to give any advice on this, make plants the center of your attention.....and use plants in substrate, ferns, anubias, and floating plants....give them access throughout the entire water column.....they immediately start balancing everything out.....they will filter out ammonia and nitrites. Ive had no ammonia reading in the last 2 weeks. Its the healthiest water Ive ever had in an aquarium.

[@johnwood738]

If wish I knew how addictive it is!

[@thesmallscape]

Yes!! Good one. Should come with a warning label. Merry Christmas, John!

[@johnwood738]

@@thesmallscape merry Christmas Farmer Jo!!!!!!!

[@jaggynettles8382]

I can’t believe how expensive it is now 😢😢😢

[@AsianAmericanGuy]

I got a habbit of buying live plants I end up not even using or need.

[@midnull6009]

@@AsianAmericanGuy join a group/forum and resell them to the locals in the area :)

[@alekkoomanoff7281]

" Less is more." - Miles van der Rohe. Excellent advice.

[@lindataylor8302]

I wish I had found your channel before I started this journey

[@Brensters63]

Wow. What a great video. So refreshing and real. Love it!

[@bobstranzenbach4700]

Nice insights.

[@shesellsfish]

The substrate mix...yeah wish I knew years ago that you can save substrates when you take and aquarium down and re-use them and mix them in with new river rock or gravel or sand or whatever, that it is OK to mix substrates. That was a biggie learning thing for me that made setting up a new scape so much more economical. Merry Christmas, guys 👍💖👍

[@aadeorukhkar]

@thesmallscape: You are the best because your are so down to earth and relatable! It is impressive how you ensure to encompass all audience.

[@thesmallscape]

That makes me so happy to hear it! Thank you! ☺️

[@laowhy86]

Glad I found the channel! Great stuff

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@jaymegoldie6639]

I really like what you said about river stones. I feel the same way. Most of my fish are from rivers and streams so the stones seem to suit their needs so much better. They also help feed grazers really well. The natural colour variation pulls me in because I love the look of a big shoal of natural looking fish over the colourful stones. River stones are also great for retaining the plant substrate higher in the back portion of the tank.

[@tatianalagrave9781]

I would love to see a video on ways I wish we knew how to anchor stem plants until they root! I was ready to give up on live plants... Then I started using the small size ponytail holders to keep bunches together and found success.

[@macc224]

great advice only thing i wished i knew pre large planted tank was that substrate can seep though sand, my soil is now in mesh bags, as you say helps with building up, and no extra stuff added to the water column.

[@sghettinona]

Joanna, people who have met you, have So many good things to say about you. ✨ Know that you are cherished for your kindness in the Aquarium Community. 🎄Take Care and Stay Safe & Warm!!⛄

[@thesmallscape]

You are so sweet. I could only hope so. Thank you for such kind words. Merry Christmas! ✨🎄✨

[@cherylbelott]

I agree with your list :) Especially about the option to mix substrates. When I started my first tank years ago, I thought gravel was the only option. I’d do that tank differently now, especially adding mesh bags of aquasoil for the plants. 🌱 Merry Christmas to you and yours!! 😊

[@thesmallscape]

So did we. Gravel, gravel or gravel. (I chose blue 🤭). A very Merry Christmas to you and yours too!! ☺️🎄✨

[@sonofgod375]

I love using river rock. I've been upgrading my tank scaping which has a forest background and they work perfectly. Plus with the plants I use it's easy to glue them down.

[@jonisin5498]

Good suggestion, thinking build one with only driftwood + algae

[@rockylamotta8154]

Great & very informative vid! Thanks!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Have you tried the hygger Aquarium Gravel Cleaner? Looks cool on the site and good for cleaning sand.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Great Fab 5, Joanna for Aquascaping.

[@noelbrucker135]

Thanks for another wonderful video, Joanna! On the mixing of substrates, one of my favorite tanks has plain ole play sand mixed with just a bit of mid sized matching gravel - looks just like a natural beach/riverbed to me. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!❤

[@Lisa-zo3rf]

Thank you because of you. I've glued with super glue anubia plants to shells and rocks! I had no freaking idea that was actually possible. Also, I would have never tried an anubia plant, which is now my absolute favorite aquatic plant period. The one and only plant my goldfish will not eat. Great and fantastic tips if you listen to your recommendations. Wish I would have bought the super glue you recommended from Amazon. Your videos inspire me to get out of my comfort zone and try different plants.

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

To clean Dragon stone I use the $2 car wash, on rinse only. Start off with a good distance and then move in as things allow this will reduce the chance of damage. But like you said, just pick up any little pieces that come off and use them as accents.

[@OfTheChurchInTheWoods]

Great video!

[@lizdyson3627]

Fantastic Video Joanna

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you! 😀

[@nancychandler7289]

New subscriber here and new fishy person. Question on aquaecapes....when using rocks are these rocks from your yard or neighbors and is there any preparation needed before just sticking in tank....OR....do you buy special rocks??? Same for driftwood??? Thanks!!!

[@johnd5805]

Thanks for this. I'm just getting back in after 30 years and pre-internet. Very helpful.

[@thesmallscape]

Welcome back!!!

[@cindylundberg125]

Really loved this series. Learned so much

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you, Cindy! 🎄☺️

[@johnjwedrall4290]

Joanna, I'm wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 ❤️

[@larrymoyer6178]

Thank you for this video I needed to hear this

[@thesmallscape]

Yippee! 🌿🌿🌿

[@IsabellaM._]

Thank you for the terrific tips! Merry Christmas, and God bless.

[@thesmallscape]

A very Merry and blessed Christmas ✨🎄✨to you as well!!

[@eltonrachman919]

thnks for the tips👍

[@chriscyr4982]

some great thoughts, thank you

[@thesmallscape]

🙏🙌🌱

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Years ago I wish I knew more about what fish work with aquascapes and which ones don't. Specifically... OSCARS!!!! I love Oscars. They are my #1 favorite fish that I have ever kept. But they are just not nice do decorations, whether living or fake. They'll play with them, eat them, etc. So.. For my re-entry back into fishkeeping is going to be community, nano fish, invertebrates, and Bettas so I can get my feet wet in doing a real planted tank this time.

[@ohguy1991]

Merry Christmas Joanna!

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you - and Happy New Year!!

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

Fabulous message,Joanna. You give all of us inspiration. I love the idea that we can layer different substrates. Merry Christmas fishy friend. 🎄🌟❤🌹 Gina Hetlage

[@audrameyer9558]

Great series! Thanks so much, Joanna 😁

[@thesmallscape]

☺️☺️☺️ thank you, Audra! 🎄

[@valgarlienheart]

Where is that aquascape from 1:20 from? I am in love

[@thesmallscape]

Hi - that was a competition scape from Aquashella Orlando 2022. ☺️ it’s stunning, yes.

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

awesome video

[@gigi3242]

Happy Holiday

[@luciad5988]

My friend I’m starting a 10 gallon nano tank. My hub is experienced with fish, mostly saltwater I’m not. In a 10 gallon can I have 8 rasboras or tetras with 3 or 4 mini Cory Dora’s , and maybe some tiny shrimps?

[@feralon9570]

Thanks for the tips! I've had a rough time with the turtle tank. Little guy eats anything he see's that even resembles a green plant. Little dude ate an entire amazon sword, no lie. So he is rocking a blackwater kinda tank these days.. lol Not by my choice! Some pets and fish are just jerks.. ❤💚 Merry Christmas from my family, to yours! 🤶🎄🎅 ❤💚

[@jefffleet9546]

I just seen how bad the weather is on our news over in the USA . Sending you and Jason and the fish best wishes for Christmas from Jeff in London 🇬🇧

[@thesmallscape]

We’re just starting to thaw out over here. Glad to hear from you, Jeff. Happy New Year to you and the UK!

[@jessicasinclair323]

I wish I had known that you can put your wee plants in gel into a terrainium to grow up before planting in your aquarium. In fact majority of plants! And that it is the hobby of those of us with addictive personality disorder 🤣

[@bobmorgan476]

What are the red fish at 6:34?

[@vanessatamplin7659]

Plants are good for the fish helps with the water too !?

[@SleeperBBQ]

TY

[@rockyandmiles9889]

I don’t know the meaning of simple lol 😅 all my tanks have everything possible 😂 I’m never satisfied, always adding, adjusting, tweaking!! Live plants have been a roller coaster of problems but I love them and now 5 tanks are 100% live and one is a mix of live/fake for some color. My sister has had the same scape in her betta tank for 2 1/2 years. I couldn’t do it, I like to keep it fresh!! 😁

[@thesmallscape]

Haha! Good for you! I admire your patience and passion for your works of art. ☺️

[@hummingbird3771]

I'm not sure if it's your Mid-Western accent or Mom humor, (that can be a thing, too right?), but you are delightful and engaging teacher!

[@thesmallscape]

Oh my gosh, you’re so funny. Thank you so much! And, yes, mom humor is a thing!😂

[@loganryan1317]

Where do you get your mesh bags from???

[@cindys.4409]

Hang on... Are you saying if I were to clean the little crevices of the dragon stone BEFORE I put it in a tank it won't crumble all over around it???

[@thesmallscape]

Lol. Yup. ☺️

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Try the silicone artificial plants. They move in the water flow like a real plant.

[@katphish30]

The other day I broke up some of the seiryu stone I bought from Lowe's last year, and sometime soon I'm going to try building a cave out of some of it.

[@thesmallscape]

How fun! ☺️

[@PaulZyCZ]

I was surprised how much clay there is in Dragon Stone. Speaking about stones, certain types of gneiss are rather complex for a cheap rock available in many land yards. Also there are countless threads online about getting local wood for a scape, not only an actual driftwood, but core of a tree stump, holly branches, wine root, etc. Fallen oak leaves can be used as well as almond leaves. There are rules to follow and downsides, but it's not as if these would just catch mold and bring diseases. Same with using dirt as a base layer.

[@naegwut]

I have 7 nano tanks now I blame you 💋

[@thesmallscape]

😂😂 I will take the rap for that. Merry Christmas!

[@juli8vdberg562]

To all fellow girlies loving aquascaping arts; dragon stones ans lava stones make best stones for your Bucephalandra and Anubias plants or any other epiphytes to root in and growing healthily without any failure; and instead of sand; use crushed lava for bottom of tank, add a good substrate like amazonia ver 2 and top it with a not so thick layer of powder nutri soil… and let it cycle … I am a minimalist zen tank scaper; I look at nature itself; stones/rocks and sand or hanging roots and a sandy bottom and or just stones and NEVER more than 3 sorts of plants!!! Use the Holy Trinity of Aquascaping Art: number 3!!!! 3 sorts of plants, 3 major stones/rocks and in between one or two or 3 pieces of woods at most! Go easy, go light, go thin! It works!

[@BENfromSUNDIAL]

I'd like to set up my 29 Gallon as a deluxe Blackwater Betta Bachelor Pad, with mostly just driftwood and plants and a few of his good friends. I'm just not sure how worried to be about a fish getting hurt or stuck on the wood.

[@peetos-chan2835]

👍👍👍

[@pbking442]

What are some good real looking fake plants? I use real but I want to add fake to make things look more filled in.

[@Film-maker842]

Well the superglue kill the fish

[@besthobbit]

I tried the superglue/cotton thing before and it didn't work :(

[@juliaheinritz3264]

When you love different types of scape looks it results in MTS big time...lol. At this time most of my tanks have it all..stone, wood, and mostly live plants but my 75 G has some artificial plants. I am addicted to petrified wood rock. It is my absolute favorite and the pieces can look completely different from each other. I even have some large pieces by my front door along with two beautiful pieces of rose quarts...did I mention that I really like rocks..lol My least favorite substrate is the aqua soils. I have a hard time planting in it and not damaging plant roots. I admit though, my crypts love it and do much better than those tanks with gravel..go figure. Have a great day everyone and Happy Holidays:)