Aquascape Setup Guides
Browse 144+ detailed guides organized by tank size. Each guide includes equipment lists, plant recommendations, and step-by-step instructions.
High-Intent Starting Points
Use these topic hubs when you know the goal, but not the exact tank plan yet.
aquascaping trends 2026
Aquascaping Trends 2026
low tech planted tank 2026
Low-Tech Planted Tank 2026
nano aquascape ideas 2026
Nano Aquascape Ideas 2026
beginner aquascape
Beginner Aquascape Guide
beginner aquascaping ideas
Beginner Aquascaping Ideas
beginner aquascape fish
Beginner Aquascape Fish
10 gallon planted tank setup
10 Gallon Planted Tank Setup
5 gallon betta tank setup
5 Gallon Betta Tank Setup
low tech planted tank
Low-Tech Planted Tank
shrimp tank setup
Shrimp Tank Setup
Walstad method tank
Walstad Method Tank
nano aquascape
Nano Aquascape
best aquarium light for planted tank
Best Aquarium Light for Planted Tank
aquarium substrate for planted tank
Aquarium Substrate for Planted Tank
Browse Guides by Aquascape Style
Jump from a visual style to the most useful beginner setup guides for that layout.
Iwagumi Aquascape Guides
Minimalist rock gardens. Start with low-tech options, then compare higher-equipment builds if needed.
5 GallonIntermediate
5 Gallon Iwagumi
Low Tech$81 - $121
10 GallonIntermediate
10 Gallon Iwagumi
Low Tech$116 - $174
20 Gallon LongIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Iwagumi
Low Tech$186 - $278
40 Gallon BreederIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Iwagumi
Low Tech$324 - $486
Nano CubeIntermediate
Nano Cube Iwagumi
Low Tech$68 - $102
15 GallonIntermediate
15 Gallon Iwagumi
Low Tech$151 - $227
29 GallonIntermediate
29 Gallon Iwagumi
Low Tech$249 - $373
2.5 GallonIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Iwagumi
Low Tech$63 - $95
Dutch Style Aquascape Guides
Colorful plant layers. Start with low-tech options, then compare higher-equipment builds if needed.
5 GallonAdvanced
5 Gallon Dutch Style
Low Tech$91 - $137
10 GallonAdvanced
10 Gallon Dutch Style
Low Tech$131 - $197
20 Gallon LongAdvanced
20 Gallon Long Dutch Style
Low Tech$210 - $316
40 Gallon BreederAdvanced
40 Gallon Breeder Dutch Style
Low Tech$366 - $550
Nano CubeAdvanced
Nano Cube Dutch Style
Low Tech$77 - $115
15 GallonAdvanced
15 Gallon Dutch Style
Low Tech$170 - $256
29 GallonAdvanced
29 Gallon Dutch Style
Low Tech$281 - $421
2.5 GallonAdvanced
2.5 Gallon Dutch Style
Low Tech$72 - $108
Jungle Style Aquascape Guides
Wild overgrowth. Start with low-tech options, then compare higher-equipment builds if needed.
5 GallonBeginner
5 Gallon Jungle Style
Low Tech$70 - $106
10 GallonBeginner
10 Gallon Jungle Style
Low Tech$101 - $151
20 Gallon LongBeginner
20 Gallon Long Jungle Style
Low Tech$162 - $242
40 Gallon BreederBeginner
40 Gallon Breeder Jungle Style
Low Tech$282 - $422
Nano CubeBeginner
Nano Cube Jungle Style
Low Tech$59 - $89
15 GallonBeginner
15 Gallon Jungle Style
Low Tech$131 - $197
29 GallonBeginner
29 Gallon Jungle Style
Low Tech$216 - $324
2.5 GallonBeginner
2.5 Gallon Jungle Style
Low Tech$55 - $83
Walstad Method Aquascape Guides
Self-sustaining. Start with low-tech options, then compare higher-equipment builds if needed.
5 GallonBeginner
5 Gallon Walstad Method
Low Tech$70 - $106
10 GallonBeginner
10 Gallon Walstad Method
Low Tech$101 - $151
20 Gallon LongBeginner
20 Gallon Long Walstad Method
Low Tech$162 - $242
40 Gallon BreederBeginner
40 Gallon Breeder Walstad Method
Low Tech$282 - $422
Nano CubeBeginner
Nano Cube Walstad Method
Low Tech$59 - $89
15 GallonBeginner
15 Gallon Walstad Method
Low Tech$131 - $197
29 GallonBeginner
29 Gallon Walstad Method
Low Tech$216 - $324
2.5 GallonBeginner
2.5 Gallon Walstad Method
Low Tech$55 - $83
Biotope Aquascape Guides
Natural habitats. Start with low-tech options, then compare higher-equipment builds if needed.
5 GallonIntermediate
5 Gallon Biotope
Low Tech$81 - $121
10 GallonIntermediate
10 Gallon Biotope
Low Tech$116 - $174
20 Gallon LongIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Biotope
Low Tech$186 - $278
40 Gallon BreederIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Biotope
Low Tech$324 - $486
Nano CubeIntermediate
Nano Cube Biotope
Low Tech$68 - $102
15 GallonIntermediate
15 Gallon Biotope
Low Tech$151 - $227
29 GallonIntermediate
29 Gallon Biotope
Low Tech$249 - $373
2.5 GallonIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Biotope
Low Tech$63 - $95
2.5 Gallon Tank Guides
18 guidesIwagumiIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Iwagumi
Low Tech
$63 - $95
IwagumiIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Iwagumi
Mid Range
$114 - $172
IwagumiIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Iwagumi
High Tech
$190 - $286
Dutch StyleAdvanced
2.5 Gallon Dutch Style
Low Tech
$72 - $108
Dutch StyleAdvanced
2.5 Gallon Dutch Style
Mid Range
$129 - $193
Dutch StyleAdvanced
2.5 Gallon Dutch Style
High Tech
$215 - $323
Jungle StyleBeginner
2.5 Gallon Jungle Style
Low Tech
$55 - $83
Jungle StyleBeginner
2.5 Gallon Jungle Style
Mid Range
$99 - $149
Jungle StyleBeginner
2.5 Gallon Jungle Style
High Tech
$166 - $248
Walstad MethodBeginner
2.5 Gallon Walstad Method
Low Tech
$55 - $83
Walstad MethodBeginner
2.5 Gallon Walstad Method
Mid Range
$99 - $149
Walstad MethodBeginner
2.5 Gallon Walstad Method
High Tech
$166 - $248
BiotopeIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Biotope
Low Tech
$63 - $95
BiotopeIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Biotope
Mid Range
$114 - $172
BiotopeIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Biotope
High Tech
$190 - $286
BlackwaterIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Blackwater
Low Tech
$63 - $95
BlackwaterIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Blackwater
Mid Range
$114 - $172
BlackwaterIntermediate
2.5 Gallon Blackwater
High Tech
$190 - $286
5 Gallon Tank Guides
18 guidesIwagumiIntermediate
5 Gallon Iwagumi
Low Tech
$81 - $121
IwagumiIntermediate
5 Gallon Iwagumi
Mid Range
$146 - $218
IwagumiIntermediate
5 Gallon Iwagumi
High Tech
$243 - $365
Dutch StyleAdvanced
5 Gallon Dutch Style
Low Tech
$91 - $137
Dutch StyleAdvanced
5 Gallon Dutch Style
Mid Range
$165 - $247
Dutch StyleAdvanced
5 Gallon Dutch Style
High Tech
$274 - $412
Jungle StyleBeginner
5 Gallon Jungle Style
Low Tech
$70 - $106
Jungle StyleBeginner
5 Gallon Jungle Style
Mid Range
$126 - $190
Jungle StyleBeginner
5 Gallon Jungle Style
High Tech
$211 - $317
Walstad MethodBeginner
5 Gallon Walstad Method
Low Tech
$70 - $106
Walstad MethodBeginner
5 Gallon Walstad Method
Mid Range
$126 - $190
Walstad MethodBeginner
5 Gallon Walstad Method
High Tech
$211 - $317
BiotopeIntermediate
5 Gallon Biotope
Low Tech
$81 - $121
BiotopeIntermediate
5 Gallon Biotope
Mid Range
$146 - $218
BiotopeIntermediate
5 Gallon Biotope
High Tech
$243 - $365
BlackwaterIntermediate
5 Gallon Blackwater
Low Tech
$81 - $121
BlackwaterIntermediate
5 Gallon Blackwater
Mid Range
$146 - $218
BlackwaterIntermediate
5 Gallon Blackwater
High Tech
$243 - $365
10 Gallon Tank Guides
18 guidesIwagumiIntermediate
10 Gallon Iwagumi
Low Tech
$116 - $174
IwagumiIntermediate
10 Gallon Iwagumi
Mid Range
$209 - $313
IwagumiIntermediate
10 Gallon Iwagumi
High Tech
$348 - $522
Dutch StyleAdvanced
10 Gallon Dutch Style
Low Tech
$131 - $197
Dutch StyleAdvanced
10 Gallon Dutch Style
Mid Range
$236 - $354
Dutch StyleAdvanced
10 Gallon Dutch Style
High Tech
$393 - $589
Jungle StyleBeginner
10 Gallon Jungle Style
Low Tech
$101 - $151
Jungle StyleBeginner
10 Gallon Jungle Style
Mid Range
$182 - $272
Jungle StyleBeginner
10 Gallon Jungle Style
High Tech
$302 - $454
Walstad MethodBeginner
10 Gallon Walstad Method
Low Tech
$101 - $151
Walstad MethodBeginner
10 Gallon Walstad Method
Mid Range
$182 - $272
Walstad MethodBeginner
10 Gallon Walstad Method
High Tech
$302 - $454
BiotopeIntermediate
10 Gallon Biotope
Low Tech
$116 - $174
BiotopeIntermediate
10 Gallon Biotope
Mid Range
$209 - $313
BiotopeIntermediate
10 Gallon Biotope
High Tech
$348 - $522
BlackwaterIntermediate
10 Gallon Blackwater
Low Tech
$116 - $174
BlackwaterIntermediate
10 Gallon Blackwater
Mid Range
$209 - $313
BlackwaterIntermediate
10 Gallon Blackwater
High Tech
$348 - $522
15 Gallon Tank Guides
18 guidesIwagumiIntermediate
15 Gallon Iwagumi
Low Tech
$151 - $227
IwagumiIntermediate
15 Gallon Iwagumi
Mid Range
$271 - $407
IwagumiIntermediate
15 Gallon Iwagumi
High Tech
$453 - $679
Dutch StyleAdvanced
15 Gallon Dutch Style
Low Tech
$170 - $256
Dutch StyleAdvanced
15 Gallon Dutch Style
Mid Range
$307 - $461
Dutch StyleAdvanced
15 Gallon Dutch Style
High Tech
$512 - $768
Jungle StyleBeginner
15 Gallon Jungle Style
Low Tech
$131 - $197
Jungle StyleBeginner
15 Gallon Jungle Style
Mid Range
$236 - $354
Jungle StyleBeginner
15 Gallon Jungle Style
High Tech
$394 - $590
Walstad MethodBeginner
15 Gallon Walstad Method
Low Tech
$131 - $197
Walstad MethodBeginner
15 Gallon Walstad Method
Mid Range
$236 - $354
Walstad MethodBeginner
15 Gallon Walstad Method
High Tech
$394 - $590
BiotopeIntermediate
15 Gallon Biotope
Low Tech
$151 - $227
BiotopeIntermediate
15 Gallon Biotope
Mid Range
$271 - $407
BiotopeIntermediate
15 Gallon Biotope
High Tech
$453 - $679
BlackwaterIntermediate
15 Gallon Blackwater
Low Tech
$151 - $227
BlackwaterIntermediate
15 Gallon Blackwater
Mid Range
$271 - $407
BlackwaterIntermediate
15 Gallon Blackwater
High Tech
$453 - $679
20 Gallon Long Tank Guides
18 guidesIwagumiIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Iwagumi
Low Tech
$186 - $278
IwagumiIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Iwagumi
Mid Range
$334 - $502
IwagumiIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Iwagumi
High Tech
$558 - $836
Dutch StyleAdvanced
20 Gallon Long Dutch Style
Low Tech
$210 - $316
Dutch StyleAdvanced
20 Gallon Long Dutch Style
Mid Range
$378 - $568
Dutch StyleAdvanced
20 Gallon Long Dutch Style
High Tech
$630 - $946
Jungle StyleBeginner
20 Gallon Long Jungle Style
Low Tech
$162 - $242
Jungle StyleBeginner
20 Gallon Long Jungle Style
Mid Range
$291 - $437
Jungle StyleBeginner
20 Gallon Long Jungle Style
High Tech
$485 - $727
Walstad MethodBeginner
20 Gallon Long Walstad Method
Low Tech
$162 - $242
Walstad MethodBeginner
20 Gallon Long Walstad Method
Mid Range
$291 - $437
Walstad MethodBeginner
20 Gallon Long Walstad Method
High Tech
$485 - $727
BiotopeIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Biotope
Low Tech
$186 - $278
BiotopeIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Biotope
Mid Range
$334 - $502
BiotopeIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Biotope
High Tech
$558 - $836
BlackwaterIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Blackwater
Low Tech
$186 - $278
BlackwaterIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Blackwater
Mid Range
$334 - $502
BlackwaterIntermediate
20 Gallon Long Blackwater
High Tech
$558 - $836
29 Gallon Tank Guides
18 guidesIwagumiIntermediate
29 Gallon Iwagumi
Low Tech
$249 - $373
IwagumiIntermediate
29 Gallon Iwagumi
Mid Range
$447 - $671
IwagumiIntermediate
29 Gallon Iwagumi
High Tech
$746 - $1118
Dutch StyleAdvanced
29 Gallon Dutch Style
Low Tech
$281 - $421
Dutch StyleAdvanced
29 Gallon Dutch Style
Mid Range
$506 - $758
Dutch StyleAdvanced
29 Gallon Dutch Style
High Tech
$842 - $1264
Jungle StyleBeginner
29 Gallon Jungle Style
Low Tech
$216 - $324
Jungle StyleBeginner
29 Gallon Jungle Style
Mid Range
$389 - $583
Jungle StyleBeginner
29 Gallon Jungle Style
High Tech
$648 - $972
Walstad MethodBeginner
29 Gallon Walstad Method
Low Tech
$216 - $324
Walstad MethodBeginner
29 Gallon Walstad Method
Mid Range
$389 - $583
Walstad MethodBeginner
29 Gallon Walstad Method
High Tech
$648 - $972
BiotopeIntermediate
29 Gallon Biotope
Low Tech
$249 - $373
BiotopeIntermediate
29 Gallon Biotope
Mid Range
$447 - $671
BiotopeIntermediate
29 Gallon Biotope
High Tech
$746 - $1118
BlackwaterIntermediate
29 Gallon Blackwater
Low Tech
$249 - $373
BlackwaterIntermediate
29 Gallon Blackwater
Mid Range
$447 - $671
BlackwaterIntermediate
29 Gallon Blackwater
High Tech
$746 - $1118
40 Gallon Breeder Tank Guides
18 guidesIwagumiIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Iwagumi
Low Tech
$324 - $486
IwagumiIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Iwagumi
Mid Range
$583 - $875
IwagumiIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Iwagumi
High Tech
$971 - $1457
Dutch StyleAdvanced
40 Gallon Breeder Dutch Style
Low Tech
$366 - $550
Dutch StyleAdvanced
40 Gallon Breeder Dutch Style
Mid Range
$659 - $989
Dutch StyleAdvanced
40 Gallon Breeder Dutch Style
High Tech
$1098 - $1648
Jungle StyleBeginner
40 Gallon Breeder Jungle Style
Low Tech
$282 - $422
Jungle StyleBeginner
40 Gallon Breeder Jungle Style
Mid Range
$507 - $761
Jungle StyleBeginner
40 Gallon Breeder Jungle Style
High Tech
$845 - $1267
Walstad MethodBeginner
40 Gallon Breeder Walstad Method
Low Tech
$282 - $422
Walstad MethodBeginner
40 Gallon Breeder Walstad Method
Mid Range
$507 - $761
Walstad MethodBeginner
40 Gallon Breeder Walstad Method
High Tech
$845 - $1267
BiotopeIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Biotope
Low Tech
$324 - $486
BiotopeIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Biotope
Mid Range
$583 - $875
BiotopeIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Biotope
High Tech
$971 - $1457
BlackwaterIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Blackwater
Low Tech
$324 - $486
BlackwaterIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Blackwater
Mid Range
$583 - $875
BlackwaterIntermediate
40 Gallon Breeder Blackwater
High Tech
$971 - $1457
Nano Cube Tank Guides
18 guidesIwagumiIntermediate
Nano Cube Iwagumi
Low Tech
$68 - $102
IwagumiIntermediate
Nano Cube Iwagumi
Mid Range
$122 - $184
IwagumiIntermediate
Nano Cube Iwagumi
High Tech
$204 - $306
Dutch StyleAdvanced
Nano Cube Dutch Style
Low Tech
$77 - $115
Dutch StyleAdvanced
Nano Cube Dutch Style
Mid Range
$138 - $208
Dutch StyleAdvanced
Nano Cube Dutch Style
High Tech
$231 - $347
Jungle StyleBeginner
Nano Cube Jungle Style
Low Tech
$59 - $89
Jungle StyleBeginner
Nano Cube Jungle Style
Mid Range
$106 - $160
Jungle StyleBeginner
Nano Cube Jungle Style
High Tech
$178 - $266
Walstad MethodBeginner
Nano Cube Walstad Method
Low Tech
$59 - $89
Walstad MethodBeginner
Nano Cube Walstad Method
Mid Range
$106 - $160
Walstad MethodBeginner
Nano Cube Walstad Method
High Tech
$178 - $266
BiotopeIntermediate
Nano Cube Biotope
Low Tech
$68 - $102
BiotopeIntermediate
Nano Cube Biotope
Mid Range
$122 - $184
BiotopeIntermediate
Nano Cube Biotope
High Tech
$204 - $306
BlackwaterIntermediate
Nano Cube Blackwater
Low Tech
$68 - $102
BlackwaterIntermediate
Nano Cube Blackwater
Mid Range
$122 - $184
BlackwaterIntermediate
Nano Cube Blackwater
High Tech
$204 - $306