The ULTIMATE HARDSCAPE Tutorial | How To Build Better Planted Tank Layouts

As we go deeper and deeper into the gray winter-times, lots of you might have the desire to build a new planted tank at home. This video is for you guys! And also for everyone, who wants to develop their hardscape building skills. Create flawless aquascapes following these pro tips presented by Tommy! Which stone/wood is your favorite?
BROWSE EVERY HARDSCAPE MENTIONED ON OUR WEBSITE
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Layouts With Rhino Stone
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• TOMMY'S 60P IWAGUMI AQ...
The Brazilian-Style Aquascape
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OUR 650-liter Nature-Style Planted Tank
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OASE ScaperLine 60
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0:00 INTRO
1:08 STONE TYPES
9:28 WOOD TYPES
13:54 HARDSCAPE BUILDING
20:10 OUTRO
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Camera Operators: Miki Bacskai, Aron Tamasko
Post-Production: Peter Hajdu, Aron Tamasko, Balazs Farkas
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#greenaqua #aquascaping #hardscape

[@full_metal2452]

Missing the plastic skeleton bubbler holding a treasure chest

[@microcox]

Nice video! Now we need 45 minutes of the last 15 minutes of this one, with in depth tips and tricks as to how to place rocks and wood !

[@creightonfreeman8059]

It would be nice if aquarists used the geological names of the rocks rather than these marketing names. That would actually tell you something about the physical properties of the rock and how it might influence water chemistry. I know it can be figured out but it would save doing density, moh's hardness, and acid base reactions tests on the rock.

[@MrHappyFish]

Dear Green Aqua! I think Tommy is skilled enough to make his own masterclass with stones. No matter what was between Tommy and stones before.👀😅 From Russia with love!

[@RWAquariumPages]

Wow love the quick scapes you've built so fast and so quickly and so naturally. Love all of your videos and can't wait for the next one

[@kanelucas1475]

I watch Green Aqua videos for a year before I took the plunge. I now have a 350 and a 190 (corner) litre tank built the Green Aqua way.

[@user-ce2jm1hz4t]

Это невероятно! Три сборки за 30 минут! Спасибо, Виктор! Каждый раз учусь чему-то новому ❤️

[@laraquerubin8250]

The best aquascaping video for beginners

[@irfankusai1433]

Watching Sir Tommy do this without even single sweat is a true example of knowledge creates beauty comfortably. cheers to Green Aqua as always!

[@thedivide3688]

America LOVES Tommy!!!

[@alwalsted]

I just finished my very first aquascape up a couple months ago. But each time I see a Green Aqua video my mind begins to race with ideas for the next one.

[@zacwong6776]

I am also a beginner of few months like you and feel exactly the same! Let your tank mature, reach it's prime (within 4-6 months) and take a "final look" photo so you can tear it down and start a new scape :)

[@GrowingInterest]

I have waiting for a video like that, thank you :)

[@lindamiller9264]

Thank you so much for your easy tips! I've been struggling a bit about what rocks I can use. Now I've got to find a video about the different kinds of drift wood and what can we use in our freshwater aquariums. TY👍

[@fbasantajr]

#1 video so far for 2022, thank you from NYC

[@Aquagold.goldysingh1313]

wow...bonus video. tommy always come back with amazing tips for us. perfects hardscape materials. i never use seriya rocks and iron woods , i want to try them this year...

[@klebberbrazilian.theprofessor]

I loved the video! Better saying: I loved the Aquascaping Mini Class we've got this time! Thanks, Tamás! Thanks, Green Aqua! Cheers from Brazil!🇧🇷 (Professor Klebber)

[@Martin-cf6nf]

Good job Tommy, perfect video

[@kemalgunes1519]

Very informative video, many thanks Tommy...👏👏👏👏

[@aquamoment]

We learn every day🙏thanks a lot again 💪😎

[@DolbecAqua]

Lots of good infos here! Thanks Tommy :D In my region we also have access to Eucalyptus roots, they come in lots of different shapes and sizes and I love using them in my scapes.

[@martinhlavna7552]

I also tend to put some smaller rocks inside aquasoil "paths" from back to front where I don't have actual hardscape. They will act similiar to wall in your mixed scape and help with holding elevation. Plants will also help with holding the hills when they root.

[@javier_lakondia]

Very didactic video Tommy!!!! Thanks si much

[@AquaGardenAquariums]

Great mashup!

[@01xcguy1]

Great educational video and I saw a big smile when Tommy started the rock only layout. Happy New Year guys...

[@GreenAquaShop]

Thanks for your kind words and your support. 😇🙏

[@successgrowthacademy]

I learned quite a lot from your teachings Tommy. You inspire me. Got some nice ideas to create a nice scape with my rocks that I was struggling with and with the various woods that I am using now. Busy with my first 1.2m x 50cm x50cm tank. So excited.

[@GreenAquaShop]

Good luck with the scape. Gogogo!

[@tammyfletcher7114]

Very informative Tommy! Now I know what’s wrong with my scape. Thank you! ❤

[@emanueledigiovanni3133]

Grazie Tommy, ottimi suggerimenti arrivati al momento giusto ! Emanuele

[@MigHeart68]

Awesome Videos and Information!!👍👍👍👍

[@dylanmorrison951]

Love ur vids and tatorials and all the deep info. Had my first 15gal planted tank for abiut 5 months now with gravel substrate and fish was orgiginaly for the kid. Just got a used 32 gallon fluval tank that needs some cleaning and scratch removal that im going to try my had at a true aquadcaped carpeted tank. Gona take this one slow and get it right. Thank u for all the information you share with the world

[@fischverruckt7321]

Awesome!

[@newmexicoaquatics282]

Fantastic video, great topic! Thank you for sharing! - Little Bobby

[@jorgebaltazar7]

Thank you .. love your info

[@mariaveronicasonzini9788]

Hey! You guys must hear this all the time, but anyway: great videos! Amazing content! Keep doing it, it brings me so much joy. Thanks

[@marquelmah]

I love this video a lot. Thanks for the detailed explanation and examples.

[@GreenAquaShop]

You are welcome, glad you found this useful.

[@mr_walker_chris]

Great video brotha! 👊👊👊

[@simonetonini2538]

As always we learn a lot, so thank you Tommy (it wouldn’t be a bad idea to plant the iwagumi…😁)

[@jonbon9578]

Ive been trying to get my hardscape to look good for a long time and this guy put together three beautiful scapes in 10 minutes 😭

[@GreenAquaShop]

😀👍🗻

[@alt7244]

Very nice. You have a gift.

[@gihanilangakoon]

Excellent presentation, a learning experience 👏

[@GreenAquaShop]

Thanks for your words 👍

[@bekirelveren6158]

Amazing video

[@garretmcclegane4068]

Wow the iron stone!! It's awesome

[@GreenAquaShop]

It is!

[@Hirwailandscape]

Very informative videos, there much more to learn sir😊

[@sergeymogilat4886]

Спасибо за полезное обучающие видео! Надо больше такого контента.

[@GreenAquaShop]

Thanks for your feedback, appreciate that 👍🙂

[@TundeEszlari]

Nagyon jó, és minőségi videó! ❤

[@GreenAquaShop]

Köszi 💚

[@alexandrafontaine8111]

Thank you soooo much 🙌🏻 and have a nice day 💁🏼‍♀️

[@GreenAquaShop]

You're welcome! Cheers.

[@evo12]

Many good tips! Especially in creating depth with large pieces in front and smaller or thinner ones at the back

[@GreenAquaShop]

Thanks for your comment! Glad to hear you find it helpful! Happy aquascaping! 😀👍

[@veljkokojcinovic6570]

Thank you

[@alexandrews6211]

Very good clip. I enjoyed this. Gives Me inspiraționale for fluture builds. You should do more vids Like this. Great Work ! 👏🏻✌🏻

[@zpm3atlantis]

Great video But a small correction, the white stuff that appears on the wood is not a fungus, but a bacterial film.

[@GreenAquaShop]

Yup you're right 👍

[@LaccerHS]

I've boiled my Red Moor in a pot for an hour, that removed most of the tannins, plus it made it accelerated the sinking process by a lot.

[@BlackStar-zk7ri]

A complete package video. Love it. Greeting from indonesia👍

[@GreenAquaShop]

Thanks for watching from such a distance 👍

[@kidstv8201]

Excellent👍👍

[@GreenAquaShop]

🙏😃

[@legionaquatics]

I cant wait to see tommy on tropica live

[@evamunro6245]

Thank u

[@Ladousek]

Awesome video, thank you for that. How do you solve issue that a lot of stones increase KH with combination of co2? I have seiryu stones and co2 because of plants and KH is every day one degree higher.

[@lorenzoguerriero26]

Go Tommy go!

[@GreenAquaShop]

Thanks for the support 😃

[@Nutamago]

great job

[@GreenAquaShop]

Thanks!

[@shark9905]

Thanks...

[@markneedham2287]

Makes a stunning finish look way too easy, id love to have Tommy build a tank for me

[@devachapman6315]

great vid guys! can you do the same but with pants? be nice to have a series that show the plants grow cycle.

[@glub9075]

30 minutes ago, This helped me so much :)

[@GreenAquaShop]

Glad to hear that 👍

[@Zet309]

Thanks, Tommy) and what can I do with kH+ and gH+ stones? In plant aquarium with osmosis water.

[@Zet309]

Спасибо!

[@theviolentone]

I like Indonesian sand stone.. very unique

[@extinctlibertine]

Any thoughts on manzanita wood? I have 2 large branches in my tank but it's quite pricey to build a more complex look with just manzanita, so I'm thinking of adding some smaller redmoor branches.

[@danielpfister866]

Happy New Year 2022 🎄🎅🏼🎄 Nice to see you again 😜🤩

[@GreenAquaShop]

Hey Happy New Year to You as well 😃

[@darthvaider4347]

do you primary use black seiryu rocks in your aquascape ir regular ones?

[@fr4nkenstein711]

Can you guys do an tutorial on how to make like mountains and such for the background of the tank?

[@carlharris8987]

great video, do you have a similar one for plants? different types how fast they grow etc... new to aquascaping and your channel is great

[@GreenAquaShop]

Yes, check out the tutorial sections, or type in plant tutorial green aqua in the searchbox.

[@Thief94]

❤️❤️

[@rickwilson8795]

I would see to see Tommy try to make an iwagumi in a nano cube tank!!

[@sprey9459]

Hi, dark seiryu stones harden water less than normal seiryu?

[@regisperraud6283]

Super Tommy ! pour ma part je prefere le bois uniquement . mais videos instructive , bravo ! peut avoir des nouvelles de Mister Grubber ce beau Betta ? 👌👌

[@irfaanbaig5396]

Ow does one get rid of the tannins on the driftwood? Ive had tannins for 2 years no and it just won't go away. I've tried Boling it and still no luck

[@juiceboxsteez]

Is there any dos and don'ts with certain stones when it comes to breaking them down into smaller pieces or different shapes?

[@mahomere1249]

جميل جدا جدا

[@suyushona]

Hello. I bought elephant skin stone. Could you be able to tell how much rise in pH / GH this stone causes. ? Is it good for freshwater planted high tech tank ?

[@ezstreet1997]

Thank you for the super informative video? Does iron wood go by any other common names? I cant find anything about it

[@ampac]

Iron wood is not a specific type of wood but a class of woods that includes several hard and high density woods. Some drift woods can also be iron woods. By the way, not all iron woods will colour the water. That entirely depends on the amount of tannins they have.

[@plantsandfish5512]

Great video! Is Iron wood Mopani wood?

[@XxPaltkomaxX]

Is Clithon Corona snails the same as Clithon Diadema?

[@TadekWaleczny]

Witaj. Tylko ten PETRIFIED WOOD STONE nie wpływa na parametry wody? Kamienie kwarcowe chyba też nie powinny? Pozdrawiam

[@naoto_date]

So even the petrified stone alters the the water paramethers? I'm looking for something that don't raise my kh (and I don't like lavic stone and slate too much). What would be a good choice for a ryoboku style?

[@ampac]

There are dozens of types of petrified wood. Some woods petrified in carbonate rich environments, while others in silicate rich environments. The former will change the dKH, the latter not that much. You will never know unless you measure the effect of the rock on the water. Sedimentary rocks (such as limestone, sandstone and other soft stones) usually contain a high percentage of carbonates and can significantly change the dKH. How much depends on the stability of the rock and other factors (for example, sandstone is more stable than limestone). Igneous and Metamorphic rocks (lava rock, granite, basalt, quartzite, ...) would be your best choice since they have high amount of silicates and low amount of carbonates. However, even these rocks can contain layers of carbonates that will change the dKH. If you perform regular water changes and start with a low dKH water (e.g. from RO), you can keep the pH and dKH under control. Moreover, fish and plants do not care about the dKH level.

[@Bambi.Shubhodip]

It's always good to see Tommy work with stones... He wanted to keep the build obviously... 😎

[@GreenAquaShop]

Yup he quite enjoy the scapes with stones. Actually a new build is coming soon with him 👍

[@Bambi.Shubhodip]

@@GreenAquaShop Waiting for it... Cheers...

[@nikdi5743]

It took me roughly a few hours to place 3 large stones in my tank and he does it in 5 mins

[@wongtw3207]

How to solve the lime stone raise the pH in aquarium? My tanks stay 7.1-7.4 pH when CO2 is switched off

[@lukaskaminski8388]

You said you would make a way with sand in the last scape on top of the soil. How do you do that? My sand way would disappear within days, falling down to the front or into the soil since sand is heavier than the soil.

[@LukaszTiiger]

Great video, but you upset me a bit with those Monten stones. Yesterday I just launched the tank with them. Mine are those original ADAs and I heard they don't raise GH and KH that much ... Do you know more about them? I run a 100% RO aquarium. Will 50% water changes every week solve this problem? Greetings.

[@DrMolodoj]

@LukaszTiger I reacted in the same way as you regarding Manten stone. From your experience, does it affect TDS/KH/GH? I believe they use the same name in the video, but it is not the same type as from ADA.

[@wwz9939]

先点赞，后观看

[@GreenAquaShop]

😃🙏

[@Wupper_Ryder]

👍

[@Nutamago]

does anyone have tried crushed limestone? it's awsome

[@GreenAquaShop]

That will harden the water, I would not do it.

[@mhattearnestgorillo4082]

May I know the glass thickness of the aquariums that reach 100 gallons with hard scape ?

[@GreenAquaShop]

I would use 12-15 mm glass for that if it is rimless.

[@henridusasca8077]

Hello, what is the size of the tank?

[@webcherrysupport3839]

What should be the TDS of water of planted tanks like yours?

[@ampac]

The usual electric conductivity (EC) target is 230-320 µS/cm (some fish or invertebrates might need different values). This will be TDS around 150-200 ppm if using a TDS 640 scale. You might need to use Reverse Osmosis water to get to these levels. _Please be extremely careful with the units!!!_ If not, you will be comparing apples and oranges. For historical reasons, aquarists use TDS to measure dissolved solid in the water, instead of measuring electric conductivity (EC). EC is measured in micro Siemens/cm (µs/cm), while TDS is in ppm. The problem with TDS is that there are different measuring scales depending on the type of dissolved substances you want to measure. If you do not use the correct scale, then you will end up with a significant measurement error. So, if you get a TDS probe, you must know exactly which TDS scale is being used (which may not even be appropriate for a freshwater aquarium). To make matters more complicated, different countries use different TDS scales! So, you cannot compare TDS values unless you know exactly which scale was used. This means that 120 ppm TDS in the US (500, 550 or 640 scale) is not the same as 120 ppm TDS in Europe (usually 640 scale), or in Australia (sometimes 700 scale). If you read internet forums and webpages, usually they just say ppm, and do not say which TDS scale was used, which makes the information useless. A much simpler alternative is to use a probe that measures the standard EC instead of non standard TDS. If you want to use TDS then you must learn how to properly read and convert the values.

[@GreenAquaShop]

Thanks for the detailed answer. Yeah, we aim for TDS 120.

[@siddharth786mohanty]

I am from India, looking for Wild Rhino Stone.....Please let me know where i can get Wild Rhino Stones

[@prodromosapostolou5123]

how significant frodo stones will change the water KH and GH?

[@GreenAquaShop]

Slightly and mostly in the early months. This is not like the grey stones like seiryu or manten for sure.

[@prodromosapostolou5123]

thank you 🙂

[@hiteshsathawane]

I have few question regarding drift wood in nature I have few woods I bot from nature and cleaned it some of them gets drown into water but releases yellow tint within 15 days and this is repeated for almost 4 months some of the wood I bot from nature has very little tint but is floating even after it is in the tank for more than 2 weeks I am going to setup my new aqua scaping tank (tank size 57" x 18" x 15") and i m having 2 options 1] to search more wood in nature - pros - zero cost for wood with more options - develop connection with nature and a habit which will help me build experience the way most of the legends had done cons - not sure of the effect of wood on water conditions - not sure if the cost saving for wood has adverse effect and instead i need to pay more on other solutions - need lot of time and effort 2] To buy wood in aquarium shop -- save lot of time and effort cons -- expensive -- may have to choose from limited stock of woods and shop keeper may not allow that I have same question with respect to stones I can find lot of videos and material online for stones and woods internationally but not from India

[@kunalthakare7110]

Sand and stones name please ..

[@sandorkarcza7124]

Cimbora az utolsó akváriumot csináld meg élesben :) nekem is tetszik

[@GreenAquaShop]

megcsináltadjuk majd vele. :) mármint a cimborával.

[@sandorkarcza7124]

@@GreenAquaShop :D

[@johnnyalfonso3531]

Hi Tommy, Do u know Sal from Impractical Joker's? He is ur look Alike Buddy

[@robinbeasley4591]

I have a piece of petrified Redwood that my great grandmother got from the petrified forest in California back before it was against the law to take the petrified wood away. Could I use it in my tank? I think my family would get a huge kick out of it getting a second life but am unsure of petrified redwood. Thank you.

[@ampac]

Sure you can. Soak it for a couple of weeks and wash it thoroughly several times during the soaking period (ideally with a pressure washer and brush; do not use detergents, bleach or similar). Any rock, including petrified wood, can contain some carbonates, which can increase the dKH and pH of the water. But this can be tested (with a pH meter and a TDS/conductivity meter). You can actually check if the pH of the water you used for soaking the wood changes over time. "Dangerous" rocks are the one that include significant amount of metals (like copper, zinc, cadmium). However, petrified wood will have none of those. But a small increase of the pH and dKH is not a problem at all and can be very easily controlled with regular water changes.

[@robinbeasley4591]

@@ampac if it is petrified does it not make it inert? I've been watching several vids talking about petrified wood saying that unlike stone or wood it won't change the chemical balance of your tank at all. I planned to give it a thorough blasting to remove all dirt for sure. By why the soaking? Confused on this.

[@ampac]

@@robinbeasley4591 the soaking is just to help removing the dirt. Petrified wood usually does not change the water parameters, but it all depends on how the original wood mineralized over time. petrified wood is often based on silica, which is mostly inert. But it can also mineralize as rock with carbonate content. In any case, the changes in water parameters, if any, are usually low and gradual. Just make sure the rock is clean and do not worry.