George Farmer returns to visit Alex's Asian inspired aquascape to ask how the maintenance has been and whats next for this planted aquarium.
I visited Alex Bell's home down in Devon six months ago to set up a high-tech planted tank. Alex hasn't utilised pressurised CO2 in an aquascape for almost 10 years. Since becoming editor for Practical Fishkeeping he has wanted to try it again with my help.
Alex usually opts for more biotope style aquariums in his collection of fish tanks. Maintaining a collection of wonderful acidic loving species like liquorice gourami and chilli rasboras. He definitely has an affinity for the smaller fish in the hobby. You can find read his top 10 fish for nano aquariums here.
I wanted to return to capture some final images of the tank. These were for the step by step tank build feature in the May 2025 issue of the magazine. I also wanted ask him some questions regarding how easy it was to maintain and what is next for the aquarium.
Here are some exclusive insights into this aquarium and Alex's plans for it in the future.
What surprised you most with this high-tech aquascape?
The most surprising thing is definitely how easy it was to maintain. You see a lot of people get bogged down in the maintenance for a high tech aquascape so I feared the worst. Having 14 aquariums to maintain meant I could not devote days on end to the maintenance of one aquarium.
Fortunately for me, you carefully selected the plants for this aquarium with this in mind. Creating a low maintenance aquascape that had plenty of visual impact. I trim back the small patch of Rotala when it reaches the surface of the tank, which is probably around once a month.
For trimming stem plants make sure you use sharp scissors to get a clean cut and not crush the stem.
Another aspect that has surprised me in this aquarium is how accustomed I have become to dark waters. I had forgot how nice it is to take photos and film in crystal clear, brightly lit fish tanks. You can watch some clips of this aquascape below:
What 3 tips would you give to a beginner looking to start a nature aquarium aquscape with CO2?
The first, and most important in my experience, is to plant the aquarium to what you can manage. As I just mentioned, utilising healthy plants that do not require much maintenance ensured I enjoyed the aquarium. I never become stressed because of the extra aquarium maintenance.
Take time to think about what you want to gain from the aquascape and make each decision with this in mind. Good plant growth helps to prevent algae growth, making life easier. However, fast growing carpeting plants require a lot of maintenance, for example.
Secondly, pressurised CO2 is scary stuff. Not only can it kill your fish but it can be a health and safety concern if not done properly. Plenty of people have a lot of experience with CO2 systems; ask them for help when starting. I gained confidence from seeing first hand how to correctly install a regulator and solenoid.
If there is no one local to you that can help, there are several guides online to help you.
My third top tip for starting with CO2 planted tanks would be commit fully to the idea. Block out a few weeks in the initial phases of the aquarium's life. This will ensure you are able to water change the aquarium every few days.
You don't want to be performing routine water changes when you are rushing as this is when mistake happen. Also, it runs the risk of beginning to feel like a chore rather than being an enjoyable process.
What do people make of the aquascape when visiting your home?
The aquarium certainly grabs everyone's attention with the bright LED lights of the Aquael Ultrascape set illuminating the hallway. Luscious live aquatic plants are always more appealing to non fish keepers than my usual layer of decaying botanicals. I have certainly had a lot of comments saying that this aquarium is nicer than my usual brown swamps.
This goes to show that the aquarium has done exactly what I had hoped. It exposes people to fish keeping in a positive way when they enter my home. Perhaps, in the future I will be helping friends and family set up planted aquariums in their homes.
How long will you keep this aquascape running and what's next?
I certainly have no plans to close this aquarium down just yet. In fact, I would quite like to add another group of small fish to the aquarium for a little extra movement and colour.
My current thoughts are to introduce some least rasboras (Boraras urophthalmoides). They live alongside the Somphong's rasbora (Trigonostigma somphongsi) and maintain the orange and red colour palette of the aquarium.
My longer term goal is to set up a 90cm (3ft) aquarium using a pressurised CO2 system. I want to replicate the flooded fields of Thailand. These fields are where Rodrigo Silva found these Critically Endangered fish, you can read all about the habitat here. I would love to combine high-tech planted aquascapes with a biotope inspired aquarium to produce something spectacular.
I would move both the Somphong's and least rasboras into this aquarium. Alongside these shoals, I would add my group of sparkling gourami (Trichopsis pumila) which live here too.
What are your favourite plants in this aquascape?
The Java fern 'Trident' pictured above alongside the rasbora has certainly grabbed my attention. I usually use the 'Narrow' variety in scapes but I see the appeal of this plant now.
Related article: Frequently asked question on aquarium ferns
Obviously, the highlight of the aquarium are the many varieties of crypts. C. Parva (pictured above) has featured in many of my scapes before, but the other species are ones I have not grown before. I don't think I can pick just one species out of them, they all work together to blend various tones of greens, reds and browns.
Will you create more nature aquariums in the future?
Absolutely, it has been a joy to watch this aquascape develop over the months. In fact, I am already in the process of creating a new 'scape for the home. This time I am attempting to do it without added CO2 levels.
I am utilising the Oase ScaperSoil to provide a good plant substrate to help the plants grow.
