Things You'll Need
Instructions
Sketch out how you envision the aquascape, ensuring that no single element overpowers another. Measure your tank into thirds and decide where to place each item. Place the main attraction one third of the way along the tank lengthwise.
Rinse the various types of substrate separately in a bucket with water until the rinsing water runs clear. Pour the water carefully down an outdoor drain.
Place the substrate at the bottom of the tank in small handfuls. Mimic natural aqueous environments by placing a layer of fine sand at the bottom of the tank. Build topography by placing different sizes of gravel around the tank starting with smaller sized gravel at the bottom, on top of the sand, and placing larger gravel pieces above. Use a stone, pumice or driftwood piece as a foundation for the main attraction.
Set up the water filter for the tank, a thermometer and a heater to maintain the water temperature at between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Connect an aquarium light, which will be switched on between eight and 10 hours per day. Install the airstone, air valve and air pump for the filtration process.
Place a saucer or shallow bowl on a flat part of the substrate in the tank. Slowly pour room temperature tap water from a jug onto the saucer. Tip water from the saucer gently into the tank being careful not to disturb your substrate creation. Repeat this process until the tank is half filled with water.
Attach one end of the piece of cotton thread to the bottom of the weeping moss and the other end to the pumice or driftwood for the main attraction. Attach pieces of Singapore -- also known as Java -- moss to the larger pebbles or driftwood to provide a green, filmy leaf as it grows.
Create a moss wall by attaching Christmas moss or Taiwan moss to a plastic mesh with thread. Create grass features at the bottom of the tank by tying erect moss to small driftwood pieces. Anchor willow moss to pebbles to provide a dense carpet.
Fill the remaining half of the tank slowly with water as before. Allow the aquascape to stand for a day before adding or replacing fish.