Simple Tips & Tricks To Make Better Hardscapes!

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  • Опубліковано 26 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 168

  • @MJAquascaping
    @MJAquascaping  Рік тому +13

    Today we are diving into the topic of hardscape! I'm going to prepare the hardscape for my new OASE ScaperLine 90, and share all my tips and tricks to make better hardscape layouts.
    Equipment I like to use (affiliate links)
    Tank
    US: bit.ly/3EbkdxH
    EU: bit.ly/3S3y9ht
    Light
    US: bit.ly/3S2WxjC
    EU: bit.ly/3z6R16F
    Filter
    US: bit.ly/3yxFttR
    EU: bit.ly/3eoYxUn
    Clear Filter Pipes
    US: bit.ly/3RsFJkT
    EU: bit.ly/3AL5oyv
    Substrate
    US: bit.ly/3bux8yR
    EU: bit.ly/3qhHDt4
    Wood (similar)
    US: bit.ly/3VmDUJ0
    EU: bit.ly/3MwgKfm
    Rocks (similar)
    US: bit.ly/3yAO7Yk
    EU: bit.ly/3Tn0tLX
    Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis parvula)
    US: bit.ly/3VsJIR5
    Umbrella Hair Grass (Eleocharis Vivipara)
    US: bit.ly/3MpO9br
    Riccardia moss
    US: bit.ly/3SR3Zy9
    Juncus repens
    US: bit.ly/3yyJjmo
    Crypt parva
    US: bit.ly/3Cs0APn
    Crypt lutea
    US: bit.ly/3yBGDo7
    Crypt walkeri
    US: bit.ly/3rSxBzu
    🚨Watch this next!🚨
    Inspiration playlist!
    • Build Videos
    CO2 buying guide!
    • BEST CO2 SYSTEM F...
    How to SETUP your CO2!
    • EVERYTHING YOU NE...
    Simple fertilizer dosing!
    • SIMPLE AQUARIUM P...
    👉🏻Cool Aquascaping T-shirts: mosscotton.com/ Code: mjaqua10
    👉🏻Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my UA-cam channel:
    / mjaquascaping
    👉🏻 Use Code ''MJAMSTERDAM'' for 10% off Fzone products
    #plantedtank #aquascape #mjaquascaping

  • @DRaquascapes
    @DRaquascapes Рік тому +2

    You are THEE aquascape UA-cam channel for beginners. If only ALL beginners knew about you, instead of MR. Sand capper. I do my best to spread the word.

  • @onterom
    @onterom Рік тому +3

    The large piece of wood just on on the substrate in the right side is perfect. Keep this wood visible❤

  • @tombarb2864
    @tombarb2864 Рік тому +13

    Hi MJ: your videos drop first thing in the morning here in California. A great way to start the day. I get my coffee and watch away. This design is beautiful. So calm. Who knew some sticks and rocks would become something so nice. I look forward to seeing it planted, then of course with the fish. This is going to be very cool!

  • @monikauminska4857
    @monikauminska4857 Рік тому +11

    Hej! Thank you for very educative video! My tip for all: use paper box which your aquarium comes with som scaping dojo 😁. During scaping process especially with rocks risk for scratching the glass is relatively high. I use to scape outside the aquarium to minimise the risk och afterwards place hardscape elements in.

    • @agustinortiz9361
      @agustinortiz9361 Рік тому

      I can't do this I try it outside and when I put it in looks different 😂😂

  • @russelldonnor4439
    @russelldonnor4439 Рік тому +1

    Will come in very hand as I'm setting up 5 new tanks❤

  • @sandyfleming9490
    @sandyfleming9490 Рік тому +3

    Now this is a proper tutorial. Great explanations on how you decide your scapes. Thank you for sharing

  • @stefansteinert2181
    @stefansteinert2181 Рік тому

    Awesome tips for me as a Aquascape beginner!

  • @Trinity.Hk83
    @Trinity.Hk83 4 місяці тому +1

    You are so lucky to have so many great shops around. I love seeing all the great items. I have to take my chances and order online 😢

  • @scaper-ny2ww
    @scaper-ny2ww Рік тому +1

    A calm voice, great backround music, a very relaxing video!👍😌

  • @kincudi5210
    @kincudi5210 Рік тому +3

    Your hobby of aquascaping got me into it as well. From regular aquarium fish to live plants now. I love your videos and I can’t wait on how you would plant this hardscape. Much love from Toronto.

  • @RichardDowd
    @RichardDowd Рік тому

    What a brilliant idea regarding the gap for the pipes in the cabinet!

  • @OlegKuchmin
    @OlegKuchmin Рік тому

    "Less is more" - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
    Nice job as always MJ 😎🙂

  • @erickbijkerk5743
    @erickbijkerk5743 Рік тому

    Hoi MJ. Ziet er weer strak uit. Vind het erg leuk om een Nederlander hier te hebben. Helemaal dat je vertelde welke winkels je heen bent gegaan voor de stenen en het hout. Ga gelijk langs zaterdag. Ga zo door.

  • @vikkirountoit497
    @vikkirountoit497 Рік тому +1

    I really appreciate that you showed the wood in different configurations - I still find it hard to see in my mind what the final layout could look like and your examples are very helpful. My last tank set up is 36x18 inch base and I had only a few large pieces of hardscape available - one huge piece of wood and 6 rather large pieces of rock. I broke up one of the rocks and started playing. Chose concave layout. Love your videos.

  • @jmj5957
    @jmj5957 Рік тому

    I ordered a new tank with the same dimensions as yours about a week before you uploaded the first video, for the same reasons, I live in an apartment, I was looking for the 120p but was worried about the weight. As soon as I scape it, I will send you pictures and a vídeo vía Facebook messenger. Nice job again bro!!!!

  • @madhatterjones4781
    @madhatterjones4781 Рік тому

    Looks awesome MJ. Clean simple beautiful. Nice work

  • @XBullitt16X
    @XBullitt16X Рік тому

    Oh yeeeeeah one of my favourite parts of setting up a new tank, gonna enjoy this.

  • @stefan00123
    @stefan00123 Рік тому +1

    Hi mark!
    This is great content 🙏🙏
    Just started 2 weeks ago about my first real aquascape.
    Hope to see the planting soon!
    Have a great evening🙏

  • @cherylmartin9994
    @cherylmartin9994 Рік тому +1

    I love the look of your tanks🤩your explanations are just what I need to attempt my first scape 🤣I've been keeping fish for 15 years with plants and substrate in the tanks with no set scape😱 excited and terrified but you're giving me the courage to just trust myself and try ... thanks 😃

  • @MandyJane123700
    @MandyJane123700 Рік тому +2

    I love the way lava rocks look in planted tanks. They help the green color pop. Also, that was a fantastic store! I don't have anything like that around here. Next time I plant a tank I am going to take my time. I rushed my first one, because everything came in the mail at once, and I just wanted to do it. It looks okay, and I love watching the fish swim in the plants, but the next one is going to be way more planned out. I learned a lot just doing the first one.

  • @donl7596
    @donl7596 Рік тому

    90U guy here. I was looking forward to this build, but so far it kind of feels like you were filming me. Mine opens up to a family area to the left, reverse the triangle comp. I was concerned about the extra height of the "U", so my larger piece of wood enters at the surface and branches down. My rock work needs work. In the US everyone cuts their teeth with big, mean fish that like to dig in the dirt. Rockwork must have a firm foundation, especially when using paper thin mass produced tanks. It's going to be a hard habit to break. But, firm is in the eye of the fish living there.
    To make my de ja vu worse...I had never used aqua soil before, and my last tank crashed from a fishy piece of driftwood. My tank sat for 4 or 5 weeks just like yours at the end of the video, just to be sure every thing was fine.😂

  • @drdoolittlefishhobbyist6055

    Loved this video and that tank is awesome already even without plants. Looking forward to seeing it completed

  • @haseebnedarya4327
    @haseebnedarya4327 4 місяці тому

    Great video, bro! I learned so much. Thanks! 👍🏼

  • @jth0099
    @jth0099 Рік тому

    An amazing video MJ. Love the channel and content. Every time you post, it makes me want to go out and try my hand at real aquascaping.
    We need a video where you show us how to convince our wives to let us throw up more than one aquarium in the house 😂.
    Cheers

  • @BrendanKnowles
    @BrendanKnowles Рік тому

    Beautiful job. Hoping to visit that store when we come to NL in the next two weeks. Looks amazing compared with the stores we have in New Zealand.
    Thanks for all the energy you put into your videos. The result truly speaks for itself! 🙌

    • @wills711
      @wills711 Рік тому

      I’m out to sure where u are here but Neptune Aquatics new store has everything, I’m not to sure if it’s open to the public yet though.

  • @northwestlife2794
    @northwestlife2794 Рік тому +1

    Man what a great store!

  • @REscapes
    @REscapes Рік тому +2

    I love it! It may be simple but it looks super effective and i cant wait to see it planted!

  • @cwillox4253
    @cwillox4253 Рік тому

    Great video and the background music was nice and relaxing too

  • @diablorojas6713
    @diablorojas6713 Рік тому

    Simple but beautiful I always take inspiration from your scapes I’m going to try DSM and hope for the best thanks for the info your videos are great

  • @hurricanedaveful
    @hurricanedaveful Рік тому +1

    Wow jealous of that shop.

  • @rachaelgreenland-smith5079
    @rachaelgreenland-smith5079 Рік тому

    Another awesome video! Can't wait to get more into this hobby. So enjoy watching - thank you.

  • @dimitarsimidchiev866
    @dimitarsimidchiev866 Рік тому

    This is great one MJ! I love it.

  • @jscapes782
    @jscapes782 Рік тому

    Great job, that store is beautiful also

  • @kered36
    @kered36 Рік тому

    Looking like the new aquarium is going to be a great scape. I enjoy your valuable tips, and im looking forwards to the finished tank. Your videos have reinspired me in the hobby, and im now in the process of cleaning up my 130x50x50. I went to Helmond aquatics and came away with a new CO2 setup. Although Helmond is abit of a drive, (i live in south Limburg), it was worth it, as i came away with some good advice from the young owner. many thanks for the informative videos, and keep up the good work.
    groetjes Del.

  • @jasoncarty2175
    @jasoncarty2175 Рік тому

    Great educational video,I enjoyed it,well done!!...👌👍

  • @AquaMarli2010
    @AquaMarli2010 10 місяців тому

    I habe lava rocks. I have spiderwood. I need to rescape my 60L ... Let's do it! Thank you for the video, it really helped envisioning things!
    What I do every time, because I can design quite good in 2D but not in 3D: I take pictures from the front. Then I look at the pictures and can decide how I turn the wood or angle a stone.
    Thanks again!

  • @george398
    @george398 Рік тому

    Looks awesome. Looking forward to the plants and your selection.

  • @frankvermeulen4621
    @frankvermeulen4621 Рік тому

    Great inspirational video!
    As I mentioned under a previous video, I am in the process of setting up a 55l Dennerle tank, and it has been cycling for the last week, but I am not happy with the layout and I am thinking of tearing it down and trying again. With a small tank it is not nearly as much work as with a bigger tank.
    Looking forward to the planting and stocking of this one!

  • @leefamily9000
    @leefamily9000 Рік тому

    Great information and tips. I like to boil my wood since it’ll reduce the tannins released and help with the reduction of fungus growth. Problem is not having a huge pot for larger pieces.

  • @Itumienasi44
    @Itumienasi44 Рік тому +1

    Hello, you always create great content. I'm watching every video to develop my Aquascaping skills for almost in 2 years it's been that long 😅... For the next experiment, would you try to grow some aquatic plants with the emersed or dry method indoors or hydroponic maybe? I'm always curious about that to find the best way to choose the substrate, fertilizer, lighting, and some stuff. Thanks!

  • @dantreuthart9146
    @dantreuthart9146 Рік тому

    I like the wood you choose. It's reminiscent of a dancer in mid-pose.

  • @MightyMirk
    @MightyMirk Рік тому

    Looking good. I found that the tank wasn't centered under the light.... have you checked that before filling it?

  • @amazonmike4207
    @amazonmike4207 Рік тому

    de maanvis 😮 ik volg je videos al een tijdje weet nupas zeker dat je een landgenoot bent 🧡😄

  • @THISBECHRIS
    @THISBECHRIS 4 місяці тому

    Love this, as I do all your videos. One question regarding this specific set up, though. Since the wood will look darken up when wet, and the stone and substrate are both dark too, would you plant this with lighter plants for contrast? Is contrast between substrate and hardscape elements something to consider each build or are some cases more/less important in terms of that?

  • @QuinnKuntz
    @QuinnKuntz Рік тому

    Thanks for the tips! Subscribed!

  • @hanck2887
    @hanck2887 Рік тому

    very good explenations and video not to complicated i would like to see u make a "cliff style" aquascape in a decent size tank :)))

  • @marielaavila9182
    @marielaavila9182 Рік тому

    What a beautiful scape! Do you have any tips on how to scape a bowfront aquarium? I find certain angles get exaggerated, and it warps the view. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you 😊

  • @thewatcher720
    @thewatcher720 Рік тому

    I've been waiting for this..
    Great video Mark. Really nice to see your process. Have to say the spider wood was a pretty safe option and I'm not sure the rocks are going to be big or high enough in the composition to be seen by the time the plants have matured. It was kind of what I was expecting from you though, simple, minimal hardscape layout for a composition with the emphasis on the plants. Nothing wrong with that but nothing you haven't done a million times before. Really exciting to see you take on a bigger aquarium though. Glad you're going to go for some sort of carpet, a mixed carpet like the one in your Dwarf Pea Puffer Paradise could look really good on a bigger scale. Also glad you left plenty of room for stems at the back too. I know that your plant choice is going to be great so I'm really looking forward to seeing the planting and watching it all grow out in future videos.

  • @cesarbermejo9611
    @cesarbermejo9611 Рік тому

    Simple and nice aquascape 👌👌
    One question, what filter is, Biomaster 600 or 850??
    Saludos desde España!!

  • @marcrite3435
    @marcrite3435 Рік тому +1

    Do like that . Would you mix different styles of drift wood with spider wood to get a different colours an texture in your aquascape?

    • @MJAquascaping
      @MJAquascaping  Рік тому +1

      I usually don't mix, but sometimes it can work

  • @jeffreyvandepol6158
    @jeffreyvandepol6158 Рік тому

    Weer top gemaakt. Misschien wel advies om einde van de tak af te breken om niet zo stompen einde te krijgen. Teven ben ik weer benieuwd na je planten keuze.

  • @Alhabeeb43
    @Alhabeeb43 Рік тому

    im never this early. Loving the videos bro 🙏

  • @pedrovision6987
    @pedrovision6987 8 місяців тому

    Excellent...thank you!!

  • @anthonyperkins6364
    @anthonyperkins6364 Рік тому

    Looks great so far , does the return hose / glass inlet go down to the aqua soil ?? Or two inches above?? Does it matter???

    • @MJAquascaping
      @MJAquascaping  Рік тому

      The glass inlet is roughly halfway down. In my opinion it doesn't really matter unless you have fish that produce a lot of waste

  • @emadelhaddad2894
    @emadelhaddad2894 Рік тому

    great guide, helped me

  • @jmasta42
    @jmasta42 Рік тому

    When you were applying the background, was that water or alcohol in the spray bottle? Great content as always!

  • @BU_TV
    @BU_TV 11 місяців тому

    What fabric are you using in-between the wood and rock that you are saturating with super glue

  • @scars349
    @scars349 Рік тому

    i like your creativity i hope i can do those aquascape

  • @Xeract
    @Xeract Рік тому

    This looks amazing, looking forward to seeing the plants you choose. This might be a silly question but what do you use to fill up your tanks? Is it just a regular hose attached to a tap? Thanks!

  • @runims
    @runims Рік тому

    Looking forward to the planting process! Love being a part of this community. How do you go about tearing down scapes and setting up new ones, fish included? I’ve got a 20gal long that’s got some algae issues and the Fluval stratum is like mush and covered with brown diatoms.. I’m thinking of buying a 40gal breeder + canister + cO2 in-line atomizer but don’t know what to do with my existing tank :(

    • @thewatcher720
      @thewatcher720 Рік тому

      Set up the 40gal first then take out the hardscape from the 20gal and transfer the fish in to the new tank. Use a large bucket for the fish and use whatever mature plants and hardscape you can in the new set up. The old tank can then be rescaped or used as a plant grow out or hospital tank.

    • @MJAquascaping
      @MJAquascaping  Рік тому

      Yeah if you can set up the 40 gallon first and then take down the 20 gallon that's the easiest of course. If you don't have that option I would start by removing the fish and temporarily keeping them in a bucket or something. You can keep the filter running on the bucket as well. Then empty the tank completely and set up the new one. If you keep the filter running you should have enough beneficial bacteria to instantly add the fish to the new tank.

  • @0nly1wyll
    @0nly1wyll Рік тому

    Nice hardscape layout.. I would suggest you use the left over aquasoil 1st then top it off with the new one. you can really see the different sizes/colors/texture of the different aquasoil when you get close to the tank. it would still be covered with plants but when you look at your tank for a long time.. if would look kinda off.. for me, that is my experience

  • @sandycheeks7506
    @sandycheeks7506 Рік тому

    Hey can I make suggestion/idea get another piece of drift wood nail it to the wall and put and orchid on it above the tank on the left side

  • @christofferhedin6552
    @christofferhedin6552 Рік тому

    Hi MJ, I like the hardscape. A question, were do you get the nice glass foil? I have seen similar backgrounds before in black or white. It really adds another dimension to the tank having one.

  • @huntergreene3453
    @huntergreene3453 Рік тому

    Wish there were any aqua scaping stores near me. Only like 2 in the US.

  • @josipmatic1912
    @josipmatic1912 Рік тому

    Any advice for scaping for corydoras? I have 50L tank with aquasoil, some 10cm on the back and 1 cm in the front. Topped with 2cm of sand and gravel. Have stones and plants. Everything looked perfect until I brought corys. They mixed and rescaped everything up. Aquasoil is mixed with sand and it looks awful. They even level the ground, so now there is 5cm in the back and front.

  • @Talons_N_Tails
    @Talons_N_Tails Рік тому

    Love your videos!

  • @rickyabdullah4758
    @rickyabdullah4758 Рік тому

    Great tips and tricks

  • @yasinmkl
    @yasinmkl Рік тому

    خسته نباشید زیباست 😍

  • @ksaandor
    @ksaandor Рік тому

    Looks great, like they always do!
    I do have a question, its my first time in 8 or 9 years using wood in a hardscape (being inspired by your scapes) and is currently doing the dark cycling. However there are white mold spots growing above the water, under water there is no issue due to the less available oxygen i suspect. You ever had this issue? Im pouring boiled water from time to time on the wood, and it seems its get lesser by the week fortunately.

    • @MJAquascaping
      @MJAquascaping  Рік тому +1

      Yeh happened to me as well a few times. Should go away by itself :)

    • @ksaandor
      @ksaandor Рік тому

      Thanks!

  • @N5Addiction
    @N5Addiction Рік тому

    Can you help me i planted bucephalandras on stones and its 3 days now and they already have a sort of white stringy algy on them is this bad flow? Or too much light? Please help

  • @lupegarcia377
    @lupegarcia377 Рік тому

    Hey Brotha ,,, Cheers from CA ,, a question for you:: when it’s all said and done ,how much would you say this whole aqua scape weighs total, in lbs pls jk ,,, love your channel

  • @aguma2067
    @aguma2067 Рік тому

    No crees que para la densidad de plantas que sueles utilizar no necesitas algo más de aquasoil? Deseando ver el siguiente vídeo

  • @randylizardoperez2486
    @randylizardoperez2486 Рік тому

    Nice video. Salute

  • @theviolentone
    @theviolentone Рік тому

    netlea soil is currently the best for me, no dust, less debris, heavy soil & not easy to crumble

  • @pieterboersma5518
    @pieterboersma5518 Рік тому

    Mooie lay-out succes met beplanten🎗

  • @caseypalmer4254
    @caseypalmer4254 10 місяців тому

    where do I get that glass foil?

  • @iainwilson7054
    @iainwilson7054 10 місяців тому

    I understand increasing nutrients in the substrate rather than the water column but how does that impact epiphytes which need their nutrients from the water?

  • @DriftaholiC
    @DriftaholiC Рік тому

    Have you tried etching your rocks with muriatic acid?

  • @sabinekatsavrias4422
    @sabinekatsavrias4422 4 місяці тому

    oh no lol that piece you broke off was the best part lol

  • @adamnagy4544
    @adamnagy4544 Рік тому

    I often go to the riverside to collect hardscape :3

  • @ijustshatnered757
    @ijustshatnered757 Рік тому

    boiling and baking lava rock can cause them to explode. its rare but being a know possibility washing is the only waay to go in my mind

  • @hcr32slider
    @hcr32slider 4 місяці тому

    Have you glued a hardscape whilst its underwater? I just want to add a few extra bits but am already setup

    • @THISBECHRIS
      @THISBECHRIS 4 місяці тому

      I have had good luck with the gel version of superglue in this use case.Put some on an epiphyte, let it dry for 15-20 seconds (this may not be necessary just felt right to me), placed it on hardscape in the set up tank, and just held pressure for a minute or so with good results.

  • @dawsonhorne
    @dawsonhorne Рік тому

    How long do you normally boil wood for before you put it in a tank? I have been soaking a piece for weeks and it’s still releasing tannins lol. I wanna put it in my tank but just now learned about boiling it.

  • @jeet13111
    @jeet13111 Рік тому

    Elegant !

  • @UltimateHercules
    @UltimateHercules Рік тому +2

    One tip that helped me getting better at hardscaping: Slightly overdoing it with the size of my hardscape/setup.
    When the setup looks good without plants it needs to be a little bit bigger, because when you have a lot of plants the hardscape disappears. You have to be at the point where you think "nah, that's a little bit too much". Then it's exactly the right size.

  • @rohansingh1244
    @rohansingh1244 Рік тому

    Please help me: Last sunday i have managed to setup new aquarium. Next morning my aquarium turned cloudy! Did water change next 3 days its turned more cloudy. This is first time have seen this in my last 6-7 set-ups. What to do? I know that it maybe because of bacterial bloom but what i can do to speed up that cycle and get clear water. Tissue culture plants are expensive here so please help.

  • @Flyb4ck
    @Flyb4ck Рік тому

    After filling with water to start the cycle I assume the lights will always be off, right?

  • @rindiawanujip3670
    @rindiawanujip3670 Рік тому

    Just wondering when the next part will come. And voila, just show up.

  • @hanck2887
    @hanck2887 Рік тому

    do u also have issues sometimes with rainbow raspora not eating enough and starving/gettin extremly skinny?

  • @theaslan501
    @theaslan501 Рік тому

    Is het secondelijm wat je gebruikt om hout en stenen te binden?

  • @gameromally4266
    @gameromally4266 Рік тому

    We need an update on this one MJ.

  • @fracchio1149
    @fracchio1149 Рік тому

    Non usi il termoriscaldatore?? ❤

  • @turczyk1
    @turczyk1 Рік тому

    What lamp is it? Its not Twinstar C-Line III 450C.

  • @pixiemeat5110
    @pixiemeat5110 Рік тому

    what size oase biomaster is that please?

  • @kunalthakare7110
    @kunalthakare7110 2 місяці тому

    What is substrate ?

  • @IndoorEcosystem
    @IndoorEcosystem Рік тому

    What are the odds you've got some links to the frosted plastic you use on the back of all your tanks? Or at least a name for it. I have struggled to find anything similar here in Poland. I can find black and white stuff online but frosted is non existant. It's another one of those random things this country makes difficult. This and black expanding pond foam....

  • @alptunga
    @alptunga Рік тому

    De Maanvis located at the other end of the country. :)

  • @MrKillerHobbes
    @MrKillerHobbes Рік тому

    Hey bro, how come you went with a 90 instead of 120 :D seems like it would fit even better in that space

    • @MJAquascaping
      @MJAquascaping  Рік тому +1

      I don't trust my floor to hold the weight 😁

  • @jackm5927
    @jackm5927 Рік тому

    I come to the same shop!