Color + Convenience

This lower light (~70 PAR) aquascape is filled 90% with slower growing non-stems: easy maintenance while still retaining an algae-free sandbank foreground. 

PLANTS:

• Aponogeton crispus 'purple' is beginner-friendly and widely available. Importantly, it is planted in 5cm of rich aquasoil ( APT START for new setups*, APT JAZZ for mature / old substrate).
• Samolus pariflorus 'red' forms the secondary anchor and is surprisingly easy-going to upkeep. Alternanthera reineckii 'mini' or 'variegated' can also be used as alternatives. Similarly planted in rich aquasoil. 
• Eriocaulon 'Vietnam' forms the bulk of the shorter plant mass: it occupies the entire background and pockets of the midground. An alternative would be Blyxa japonica (however this species would not have equal depth of color, as its leaves are less opaque). Limnophila 'Vietnam' is used for finer texture and contrast. 

THE CONCEPT:

Slower-growing rooted plants + root-fed nutrition + lean water-column dosing (1ml of APT3 daily) keep algae at bay. Combined with low light (~70 umols of PAR at substrate), the foreground sandbank remains white / clean over time. 1X 80% Water Change the 2Hr Way every week, or every 2 weeks. While the plant mix is relatively hardy, this setup requires CO2 (min ~15ppm). Lower temperature (~ 23°C / 73.4°F) also moderates metabolism. 

CONSTRUCT:

The layout comprises only 4 components:

1. Aquasoil (~5L, sloped to 8cm high in background )
2. Seiryu (3-4 fist-sized, 5-8 smaller pieces, 30 small pieces)
3. Inert White sand (~1L, foreground only)
4. Malaysian driftwood (3 pieces, anchor piece reaches 80% of the tank height)

PREPARATION:

2 Weeks DARK START with APT START*. Importantly, a sufficient quantity of plants are added all at once after cycling, covering 90% of exposed aquasoil. Increased plant mass always helps to speed by the stabilization process.

HARDWARE:

TANK SIZE: 60x36x36cm / 70L (shown in picture)
CO2 DIFFUSER: Inline atomizer
FILTER: The tank uses an Oase Biomaster 250 (900L/hr rated filter).
LIGHT: Adjustable RGB LED

SOFTWARE:

• APT START*
• APT 3 
• APY SKY (if using RO water)
• APT JAZZ (after 2 months)
• APT FIXLITE (where needed, for spotless rocks)

PARAMETERS:

CO2: 25ppm (15ppm minimum)
KH: 0.5
pH: 7
GH: 5
TDS: 180
Temp: 23.7 Celsius

The measurements shown are average readings. It is possible for some parameters to deviate from the above and still be OK.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Designed as a slow-growing setup for easy maintenance, precision in light level tuning (to ~70 PAR)  is key. Read this post on how to use an iphone app to estimate PAR. 

While not immediately visible from the front, a good amount of aquasoil is used in this aquascape to support the many rooted plants. 

With slow growers, starting with a good plant mass is important- plant densely at the start! 

*Above tank was cycled and grown-in with APT FEAST aquasoil (available from Q4 2024). Existing can enrich other / conventional aquasoils with APT START instead. 

FLOW SETUP