Have you ever heard of the "hardscape"? Surely you know what we are talking about if you are connoisseurs of the aquarium world and the water landscaping. But if you are not, and you are curious about the characteristics and needs of an aquarium home ... Welcome! On Premium Divers you will find all information and products what do you need.
Today we are going to talk in depth about one of the most important elements of landscape design and creation of home aquariums. We have spoken to you in numerous blog articles about two of the most prominent inhabitants of the aquarium world: fish and plants.
But in the aquarium there are many other elements that are not alive, and yet they form a fundamental part of life under water, not only from an aesthetic point of view but of the health of the water and his neighbors. These are, above all, decorative rocks and woods or logs that are normally kept in the aquarium.
To like know everything you need about Hardscape? Are you thinking of setting up your first aquarium and want know which are the best types of rocks and logs for your future pets?
WHAT IS THE HARDSCAPE? THE ART OF AQUATIC DESIGN
Let's start at the beginning, and that is: What exactly is the hardscape? The hardscape is one of the main elements of the art of tank setup or also called water landscaping.
Specifically, the hardscape is the specific decoration and design work from the aquarium of the part does not live, that is, of which has as components the rocks, woods y other decorative elements like these.
EL HARDSCAPES, AN ELEMENT WITHIN THE AQUATIC LANDSCAPE OR AQUASCAPES
El water landscaping o tank setup is art or dedication to decoration and placement in an aesthetic and healthy way of the elements that make up an aquarium, whatever the type and the size.
These elements include the Plants types y how we place them according to our aesthetic criteria, and also the placement of the rest of the elements decorations that we will have under water: this is the substrate, rocks or woodsas well as others more artificial elements, how can they be a ship or sculpture that we have decided to place in what will be the habitat of our fish.
Of course, within the design and creation of an aquarium according to aesthetic criteria of landscaping, also include fish that will live: fish from the same species, fish of different species that make up a community aquarium, a lot of fish or little and so on.
WHAT IS THE CRITERIA TO FOLLOW TO DECORATE AN AQUARIUM?
You may be thinking that the only criterion to follow is your own, because we ourselves will decide what elements and in what way we will put inside the aquarium in our house. This is a reality, of course, but you should know that the world of aquascaping it is much more deep and with more history of what we can tell you first, and that they exist different schools and movements, different ways of understanding the motivation to place the elements in one way or another.
For example, there is a type of Dutch-style water landscaping, which is characterized by highlighting the landscaped appearance of aquariums, fixing the prominence on plants and on certain plants in very specific ways. There is also the Japanese-style water landscaping, who is the one who cares about him respect for the reality of nature, trying to emulate landscapes as close to natural habitat of fish possible. About this kind of japanese water landscaping, and specifically about a Iwagumi style aquarium You can read if you click on the following link.
FISH, PLANTS, ROCKS: INTERCHANGEABLE ELEMENTS
Surely many of you will take for granted that an aquarium must have necessarily fishIn obligatorily plants But this is not so. Even if in case there are fishit's essential that they are accompanied by plants as we tell you in this post and we will detail you throughout this article, the truth is that there are tastes for everything and aquariums can be as varied as this:
- Aquariums that do not have the presence of fish, and just be a planted aquarium where to try to create an aesthetic and a landscape with all the different species of plants that the person wants. In our blog you can read more about how to keep a planted aquarium in perfect condition.
- Aquariums that don't count neither with the presence of fish nor with that of plants. These would be aquariums formed solely with non-living decorative elementsand substratum, rocks and wood and they would be aquariums that would be rated purely within the hardscape.
So, as we are telling you, the choice of what to wear is absolutely personal. What is certain is that if we choose an aquarium to have in our house in which we want the presence of a fish, or of a different fish community, in this case it is essential that the aquarium also has plants, and also have decorative elements such as rocks, wood and substrate because they are a fundamental part of their day to day and they need them to stay healthy.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HARDSCAPE ELEMENTS IN AN AQUARIUM WITH FISHES
So now that we hope we have explained well that the hardscape is the dedication to reallocating, choosing and placing decorative elements inside the aquarium based on aesthetic and health criteria, we are going to talk to you about the latter, about important that is the presence of this type of elements for our pets, the fish.
Evidently the aesthetic part is fundamental when a specialized person decides to create an aquarium. This is, in the end, like a kind of canvas in which to decide on the colors, forms and contextualization of all this within the living room or the room that is in our house.
But in addition to this, as we always tell you, we cannot forget that fish are living beings that have their needs and cares to wear a dignified life that depends on us. As we have told you in other articles on the plants, that it is not only necessary to decide on them based on aesthetics but also on healthy contribution what does it mean for aquarium water, the same thing happens with rocks and woods.
The fishes are animals of customs, and there are certain day-to-day activities for which they need a specific context: plants often come in handy when it comes to reproducing and hiding the young, the substrate comes in handy when it comes to rummage for food in it as it happens with fish Corydoras, and rocks and woods come in handy in the same way.
What is it good for? Well mainly this type of decorations of the world of hardscape he serves them as a refuge: for hide, feel safe predators (although there are not, but as we say, fish are animals that like to feel as if they were in their natural habitat) and rest in places where they are not seen In a simple way.
TIPS FOR CREATING AN IDEAL HARDSCAPE
Now that we have reached this point in our article, we are going to talk about main topic is how can you make a hardscape. Both in case you want an aquarium only with decorative elements not alive, as in the case that you also want have fish and plants, we want to tell you everything we know about this important element under water, how to take good care of it and what things should you keep in mind so that their presence does not alter the other inhabitants of the aquarium.
So, let's see what they are the best tips, so that everything goes well in your aquarium, and you can have a good hardscape-based decoration that is aesthetically incredible, and that it suits your fish:
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CARING FOR THE HEALTH OF FISHES
As you surely know if you have had aquariums before, or if you have read regularly our blog articles, the fishes are animals sensitive to any change or mess in the water parameters.
We have already told you countless times, but the water must have some regulated and adapted parameters to what the fish need, which is neither more nor less than the parameters they had in their natural habitat. In addition to this, there are certain chemical elements his very dangerous, harmful and must be eliminated at the moment: this is chlorine, without going further, carbon dioxide in large quantities, or ammonium, which must be removed using the aquarium cycling process before starting this. At our Online store we have products like this one here, That works for delete that harmful elements of water quickly if we have a emergency situation.
Once a person learns to control these parameters, in principle you have to stop worrying and simply enjoy our aquarium. But as long as we add external and new elements to the aquarium, you have to know that they can out of control parameters. Why? Because they are impregnated in any way with liquids or harmful products for the water and for our fish.
With all this what we want to say is that if we are thinking about insert wood, rocks or a new substrate in the water of an aquarium that is already fish village, we have to make sure clean it well with neutral water before they come in. If, for example, with all our good intentions, we wash a rock with soap thinking that this way we will clean it up, we are meddling in the aquarium water a toxic element that will make our fish sick right away.
Thus, the first tip what do we want to give you for create an ideal hardscape is that you watch the cleaning of the new non-living elements of the aquarium, that you never put chemical products on it because what gives cleaning in other contexts, in the water can become real poison.
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THE RIGHT PROPORTION OF THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS
El second tip what do we want to give you for have a hardscape aquarium that is perfect, beautiful and comfortable for the fish, is that let's not go overboard with disproportion and let's not get carried away by the enthusiasm of buying and incorporate too many elements.
It is a normal feeling that we have when we go to a aquarium specialist shop for the first time, and we want to buy and take all kinds of rocks and woods, with different shapes and colors. But an aquarium it should not have all its space occupied, because fish need move and have a balance and proportionality: the same free space, that he occupied by other elements like plants or rocks or woods.
Just as we told you in this article on plant pruning, who if a plant grows too big begins to occupy a space that takes away from the fish, it happens with the elements of the hardscape. A fish cannot see its way through numerous rocks, or rocks of enormous size that do not correspond to the total space of our aquarium.
So be logical, buy decorative elements in proportion to the overall size that your aquarium has. That the fish have both open space and decorative elements that give them hidden places. And if you really want to incorporate new elements, new plants or new fish, the best thing then is that you get hold of a bigger aquarium and with more liters of water.
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VARIETY AND SIMPLICITY
As we have already repeated numerous times throughout the article, the variety, shape, size and combination of elements it is a decision absolutely commitment. But whenever we are going to combine the equation presence of living beings, we will have to take greatly into account for the choice of the other elements.
So by this we mean that if you are going to have a lot of fish, you will have to balance the number of plants and the number of rocks o woods. If you are going to have few fish you can grow in the number of the other elements, but always without overwhelming them and taking away their minimal living space.
The variety of elements is important in a aquarium inhabited by fishas well as a simplicity of not going crazy and incorporate a lot of everything.
But when we talk about variety as advice to have an ideal hardscape, we are also referring to try new elements if the first ones chosen do not work: the aquarium world has its merit, and sometimes we will choose plants that do not grow as we expected, fish that do not behave as we wanted, and rocks or wood that after a while clog more than anything else. So do not be stubborn in a fixed aesthetic what you would have thought before starting: varied if one type of plant doesn't work for you, or if a rock or wood is too big or too small.
MAIN TYPES OF HARDSCAPES FOR AQUARIUMS
We've talked in a generalized way about the hardscape, which is the design and aquatic landscaping focused on non-living objects in the aquarium. But within this area of landscaping and the world of aquariums there are several elements to consider and we are going to talk a little about them, to tell you what characteristics should they have and also how many types are there, since the materials and shapes vary a lot and it is important to take this into account when choosing:
THE ROCKS
If we think of Decorative elements from our aquarium, it is likely that the first thing that comes to mind is the rocks. These rocks can be of very different shapes and materials, as we will see throughout the article, but all of them have as a common point that they are fixed objects that will be part of our aquarium.
This means that although over time we can get tired of a certain decoration and change it, it is not advisable to change it constantly or daily because the fish are disturbed it is enough not to have a habitat that they know and gradually get used to.
What varieties can we find in the rocks when choosing the right ones for our home aquarium?
- We can choose rocks of different colors: there are from white, cream or beige colors, even brown darker and even black. The reason why we can choose one or the other is purely aesthetic, since according to the rest of the decoration that we choose for our fish tank, one or the other rocks will be better.
- We can also choose rocks of different materials: in fact, there are natural and there are artificial, which are made of a kind of resin that it is not harmful to our water (this detail is very important to check, we have already warned you many times what can happen if we put elements of toxic materials inside the water of our aquarium). As in everything we talk about, if we are to have a aquarium where fish live, we must think about them when choosing some materials or others, and always let ourselves be advised by profesional los.
- Finally, we can choose the rocks according to their shape and size: We will tell you later in the article what are the best rocks for the aquarium, as there are many kinds of different origins and shapes. But, in general, you should know that you can also select under different criteria the shape and size of your rocks. If for example you have many fish and plants, you must choose small rocks so as not to overload the space. If, on the other hand, you have enough free space, it is possible that you could use a larger rock to give order and proportionality to your aquarium.
THE WOODS
Another of the most common elements to put in an aquarium as a decoration, they are timbers or logs. In the same way that happens with rocks as a decorative element, the idea is not only to put your nice aquarium and to your liking, but to give the fish that live in it the feeling that they are in their natural habitat, and therefore they find elements that could be found there.
All the woods or logs are very common, Specially in sweet waters which is where most of the fish that we will have in our aquarium live. This is so because as we have already told you, having a saltwater aquariumAlthough possible, it is quite complicated and it is necessary to take into account other different chemical parameters those of fresh water.
Wood in aquariums, and rocks too, although to a lesser extent, have a important function as well as decorative, which is to serve for root some mosses and plants and that this way they grow from the wood as the initial base. As we are going to tell you in the next section of the article, there are woods of very different types and places of origin, but in general they are very useful for rooting plants in a non-artificial way, without being noticed and that it seems that it has taken root as it would in a natural ecosystem. In fact, there are many times when you can even acquire the woods already with mosses or small plant growths.
THE AQUARIUM BACKGROUND SUBSTRATES
Finally, the other decorative element that is part of the hardscape of an aquarium is the substrate. As we have told you in other articles, the substrate is necessary to be able to grow plants there that will grow in the future. It is also very useful for a aquarium with corydoras, what do you need scratch the substrate as a form of routine behavior.
But, in addition to all this, the substrate is decorative, and we have the possibility to choose it from different types based on many criteria. In the first place the aesthetic one, but also the practical one with regard to the well-being of the fish:
- Substratum different colored: In many specialty stores, such as Premium Divers, you can choose substrate of different colors to combine it like this with the color of the rocks, with the types of plants that we have, and also with the different species of fish. We always have to worry that a certain color has not been achieved using chemical dyes that can discolor in the water and intoxicate it. Therefore, in general, always buy quality products.
- Substrates of different sizes: There are substrates with much finer stones, and substrates with larger stones and thick. Although we can also choose between one and the other based on aesthetics, we must take into account certain things regarding fish life: if we have fish that usually develop their life in the aquarium bass, like the Corydoras, we cannot have a substrate with thick stones because when digging they can hurt each other.
- Substrates inert or nutritious: We can also choose a substrate that just be decorative, and therefore does not add any characteristic to the water in our aquarium beyond giving it a natural appearance, or choosing a nutritive substrate in which different types of plants can be grown. Also can be combined both substrates, and even divide them by zones of the aquarium.
WHAT ARE THE BEST HARDSCAPE ELEMENTS FOR OUR AQUARIUM?
Now that we know what are the decorative elements that make up the hardscape that we can select for our aquarium, what are its general characteristics based on which we can prefer one or the other, and also what they bring to our aquarium besides beauty, we can start talking about the specific types out there, and what you can find in Premium Divers.
How to Live Aligned with our online store, which also ships to all of Spain and Europe, is characterized by always trying to provide products that are of the highest quality, we have one specific section to talk about the best rocks for aquariums, and also about the best logs and woods for our aquarium.
So, let's see them a bit more carefully:
THE BEST ROCKS FOR OUR AQUARIUM
THE ROCK MAPLE LEAF
Buy Roca Maple Leaf
This type of rock is one of the big favorites of professional aquarium landscapers. The reason is your characteristic orange-red color, which gives a special touch to any aquatic environment in which it is found.
Also the shape of the Maple Leaf rock it is very original, well its surface resembles a spider web, or a lot of dry leaves, and they give a very natural touch to our aquarium.
Leaving the aesthetic reasons that can lead us to choose the Maple Leaf as one of the rocks that decorate our aquarium, they are also Very useful rocks to join some plants with others in the zone of its roots. However, there is something that we must take into account and that is that this rock has a high calcium intake in our water, so maybe if we have a lot of these we will have to counteract this parameter so that it does not rise too high and harm our fish.
THE ROCKS KEEP STONES
Buy Roca Mantenimiento Stone
All the rocks Keep Stones are others of the favorites of anyone who has owned an aquarium at some point in your life and have practiced the aquascaping. In fact, in our Online store are usually some of those that are previously exhausted, due to the high demand.
Conclusion stones of asian origin, specifically from the high-altitude chain mountains of this continent. Its appearance is absolutely unique, and also very variable because it can surprise with different shades, with very rough edges and in general a very angular look.
Usually the people who choose the Keep stones they do it because they are making an aquarium of the Iwagumi type, which we have already told you about in a previous article from our blog. The extreme realism that this type of rock gives is difficult to find with any other that is usually sold for our aquariums, so, if what you are looking for is this specific aspect to elaborate the habitat of your fish, do not hesitate and acquire a Manten Stone.
THE FOSSILIZED WOOD ROCKS
Buy Rock Fossilized Wood
Another most authentic and original rocks that you can choose to decorate and provide that natural touch to your aquarium neighborhoods, are the fossilized wood rocks.
These peculiar rocks are a type of fossil that is formed underground for thousands of years. This gives it a characteristic appearance, since although it is a wood species, have the appearance, weight and hardness of any rock decorative aquarium.
In an aquarium where there are fossilized wood rocks the externally perceived beauty that these contribute. By having very different shapes and sizes, in addition, you can adapt them perfectly to any area of the aquarium in which you want to decorate.
THE ROCK ELEPHANT SKIN ROCK
Buy Roca Elephant Skin
One our favorite stones, without a doubt, and although they all seem beautiful and perfect for decorating an aquarium, it is the rock Elephant Skin Rock.
What this rock looks like looks a lot like the texture of elephant skin, and that is why it is called that. It is an aspect that is achieved through a process of weathering and water erosion, and that also not only gives beauty and originality to our aquarium, but also brings practical questions:
All the roughness and craters that are formed throughout the length and width of this type of rock, which can also be of different sizes, serves so that the shrimps they can hide and explore. Besides this, it is also very useful for plants, because they can grow from these types of holes.
ROCK AMANO SEIRYU RYUOH DARK
Buy Roca Seiryu Ryuoh Dark
La Rock Amano Sieryu Ryuoh Dark is black version of the original Seiryu Ryuoh, and has like this a beautiful combination of the almost total black color in contrast with white lines and spots all over the surface.
This type of rock is generally chosen due to the concern about combining colors in our aquarium. Just as the earlier rocks had more variety in terms of shape and textures, the Amano Sieryu Ryuoh black contributes more in the chromatic scope.
It is also a very valid rock to serve as a tie to the ground of certain plants and mosses. Another important aspect to keep in mind is that it is a natural rock that adds lime to the water, and this makes slightly increase the hK and pH of the water.
THE BLACK VOLCANIC ROCK BLACK LAVA ROCK
Buy Roca Lava Stone
La black volcanic rock, Also called Black lava rock in English, it is one of the favorite rocks of people who own aquariums but they don't want complicate your life in terms of parameters of water is concerned.
Although normally a small decorative rock in our aquarium it will not suppose large peaks in the chemical parametersYes, it must be taken into account in a general way. That does not happen with this black volcanic rock as does not release any type of substance, is completely neutral and therefore is great for beginners.
Besides this is a rock with porous and very light texture. This gives a lot of play since you can either put directly on the substrate in some areas of the aquarium, or make sets and false reefs with her.
THE PAGODA ROCK STONE
Buy Roca Pagoda
La Pagoda rock It is named for its very characteristic layered shape. This makes it possible to do with her a very specific type of decoration how is the cannon emulation in the aquarium.
El Pagoda rock color is also particular, since it is a light brown color that is usually combined in aquariums that have the dark substrate, or you have other black rocks such as black volcanic rock. Of course, you should bear in mind that this type of rock makes the water quite hard, and that therefore it is possible that at some point you will have to regular this so that the fish do not suffer the consequences.
THE OHKO STONE DRAGON ROCK
Buy Dragon Rock Ohko Stone
La ohko dragon rock es another of the favorites of the vast majority of people that they usually buy in Premium Divers. The reason is that it has a unique look, which the difference perfectly from the others rock samples we have to decorate the aquarium.
The appearance of the Dragon Rock it's like clay, with many holes and craters along its surface. Also has earthy tones, which combine very well with woods and other decorative elements of the aquarium.
Another point in favor of purchase of the Dragon rock is that does not influence the water quality at all, and it is a neutral rock that will not alter the parameter values.
ROCK AMANO SEIRYU RYUOH
Buy Amano Seiryu Ryuoh Rock
Finally, we have the rock Amano Seiryu Ryuoh, Which is the non-dark version we talked about earlier. The color of this is not black, as we say, but of a very nice gray, what makes it quite different from the other rocks that are on the list.
Its peculiar gray color and its shape like spikes makes it perfect not to put in isolation, but to make combinations of many of them and thus give our aquarium a touch like rocky mountain. This will give you a lot I play our fish and prawns, if we have, because they will find in it a perfect hideaway.
THE BEST LOGS AND WOODS FOR OUR AQUARIUM
CHOLLA WOOD
Buy Cholla Wood
La cholla wood, one of the most used in many aquariums, has its origin in a Mexican cactus which is called the same way.
It is a nutrient-packed wood and that contributes many values to the aquarium water and its inhabitants, and that is why it is one of the ones we always recommend. Also, because it has holes and small cavities, it is a perfect place for small fish and prawns hide.
The only thing to keep in mind is that does not sink immediatelyBut when you get used to the different parameters water, so you should not lose patience if you see that floats for the first few days.
MANZANITA WOOD
Buy Manzanita Wood
La Manzanita wood is also a one of the most used in aquatic landscaping, and especially by people concerned to give a appearance of naturalness and hardness to your home aquarium.
It's a wood scrub shaped, and in fact that is its origin: small bushes that are usually found in areas of the United States such as Arizona or California.
In the same way that it happened with Cholla wood, manzanita wood it will take a few days to sink and this should not worry us. It is also great for fish farming, because it provides a hiding place for them.
HORN WOOD
Buy Horn Wood
The call Horn wood is a driftwood feature, filled with knots and a deep brown color. Many people like facing the aesthetic field, since its appearance is hardly imitable with any other decorative object.
Of course, there is something that you must take into account and that is that being a completely natural product, Horn wood tends to fade and leave the brownish water, that you should not worry at all because it is not harmful.
MOPANI WOOD
Buy WOOD Mopani
La mopani wood is African origin, and it is one of the woods that we like the most because can be very variable, in terms of shapes and also in terms of colors.
It is usually from brown colors, but it varies a lot from beige to brown rather dark. Also has very irregular shapes that usually like our pets fish.
Being a heavy wood, which immediately sinks, is also perfect to tie in it some roots of plants or mosses and thus give it that even more natural look.
TALAWA WOOD
Buy WOOD Talawa Wood
La talawa wood is a strange wood with branches which can be very long, or short, or a combination of both. This makes them absolutely unique pieces, that there is not one the same as the other and that therefore depends on its shape and size adapts to the aquarium in different ways.
By this we mean that maybe a piece takes longer to sink than in another, it is more or less suitable for rooting mosses or plants, and it can also be better in the center, back or side of the aquarium.
OPUWA WOOD
Buy WOOD Opuwa Wood
La Opuwa wood comes directly from Namibia, and it is also a very curious type of wood because it usually has reddish tones. If we are looking for a look like dry and dramatic in our aquarium, we could combine this type of wood with the Maple Leaf rock.
Another interesting fact is that it is a wood that can also be used in our terrarium, in case we have one, because it is also suitable for out of the water. Furthermore, we always recommend that you wash this type of wood before putting it in the water, although in particular it does not have any type of substance that is negative for water, but it never hurts.
WOOD MILLENIUM TREE
Buy WOOD Millenium Tree
La millennial tree wood, not a bonsai although it may give this impression from the name, but a type of root with a very specific shape composed of branches.
Su appearance is very peculiar, since it is what is known as curly wood, branches are very twisted and this gives it a look unlike any other wood on the list.
It is possible that, in the same way that we told you before, the Millenium Tree wood discolor the waterWhich not harmful to fishBut it shouldn't alarm you either.
MANGROVE DRIFTWOOD WOOD
Buy MANgrove Driftwood WOOD
This type of wood is also extremely beautiful, because it has a reddish hue that however can vary a lot from one to the other.
Besides this the Mangrove Driftwood wood a very easy wood to adapt to our aquarium: it is robusta, so it doesn't take long to sink, it's with complex shape, perfect for fish and prawns and further does not fade nor does it need to be previously washed.
RED ROOT RED MOOR
Buy Red Moor Red Root
La Red root Red Moor, as its name suggests, it has its origin in the swamps, where it usually grows without oxygen. Although it does not usually happen and is quite rare, you have to watch that it does not rot in the water of our aquarium as it could harm our pets.
Unlike the other woods on the list, this one has small leaves at the end of its branches and this gives you a very beautiful, natural look, and that it can combine perfectly with other plants.
SPIDER WOOD WOOD
Buy SPIDERWOOD WOOD
Last but not least because this is also one of our favorite woods, comes the Spider Wood wood.
His name gives an idea of the great number of branches and twists that it has, giving the feeling of being like the roots of a tree. This gives a lot of play in the aesthetic scope of aquascaping, because combining it with different types of plants, we can emulate even that there were trees in our aquarium, and also, the prawns love it.
With this kind of madera we finish our list on the best products to decorate our aquarium home and focus on the hardscape technique. We hope it has been clear to you how to make a hardscape correctly, thinking so much in the beautiful what can be left, as how beneficial it can be for our fish and our plants.
For any other duda, relevant information on this topic and others, you can write us through the comments. And if you want to know all our specialized products for the aquarium world, you can take a look at our online store and social media.
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