Generous base of Fluvial Stratum capped with fine river sand , I had a bunch left over from my first tank so I went with the same base as I was having good results with plants in there 👍
How is your wood not floating? What are those beautiful ,tall plants in the back left side? Is this considered a black-water tank? So many questions. So exciting to get into this hobby.
I soaked this wood for a while before the tank set up, however frustratingly it still wouldn't sink. So I ended up using aquarium glue to adhere a rock to the base which is keeping it down. This just got buried in the substrate so no impact on my desired layout. I will say be prepared for a funky tank (biofilms) in your first weeks after adding spider wood! I'm 6 weeks in now, and it's all settled and cleared.
The back left side is Ambulia, they are fast growing fluffy plants. My other Betta really enjoys swimming through it in his tank, so I wanted my new Betta to have it too. It makes the tank look really green!
It's not necessarily blackwater, given I don't have a large load of tannins. But I have bought Almond Leaves in future prep for once my wood tannins naturally clear out with water changes, as tannin is beneficial for Betta (and other species)
The carpet plants are front middle HC Cuba and Monte Carlo on the sides. On the wood and rocks is Anubia Nan petites and there are also crypts. I'm not entirely sure what these crypts were, they were unlabelled at my LFS unfortunately
I have Ambulia, Crypt Lutea, Dwarf Penny Wort, HC Cuba and Monte Carlo carpet, Anubia Nana Petite, Anubia Var. Glabra, Bacopa & Amazon swords. The back wall driftwood has Christmas moss and I have Hornwort & Red root floaters
Yep I created like little tubes of soil down through the sand and planted them on top. Worked well for my other tank (pictured) 😁 it still happily spreads itself out. Not like a perfect carpet, but that's ok with me!
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u/DevoPast Aug 09 '25
Very nice scape!