Feeling nature in everyday life
Beautiful underwater scenery where fish and aquatic
plants create a harmony. Nature Aquarium is a recreation of an ecosystem structure where plants and organisms relate to each other and coexist in an aquarium tank by learning its
methods from nature. Aquascape created by arranging stones, driftwood and aquatic plants becomes one ‘Small Ecosystem”, and it leads us to a rich time that makes you think of nature.
Welcome to the world of Nature Aquarium.
1. Install an aquarium tank
ADA Cube Garden 60-P
- Made of highly transparent glass
- No glued in glass parts for strutting
- Produced by experienced craftsmen by hand
In order to enjoy aquascapes for a long time, safety is essential.
Installing an aquarium tank in the right way is the first step in Nature Aquarium.
Standard W60cm aquarium tank
The size of classic W60×D30×H36(cm) aquarium tank is very popular because there is a wide variety of its related equipment available too. The aquarium tank size is great for those who will start creating layouts in earnest, as well as for experts who want to face one’ s sensibility and techniques in the limited aquarium tank size.
Choose where to install an aquarium tank
Place an aquarium tank cabinet in a place where the floor is sufficiently strong, and avoid places exposed to direct sunlight. To secure the power supply necessary for aquarium tank equipment, check the outlet location.
Install an aquarium tank
Place an aquarium tank on an aquarium tank cabinet, and make sure that it is level. When it is not level, adjust the level by inserting something such as thin wooden plates at the four corners under the aquarium tank cabinet. And by using Garden Mat under the aquarium tank, the Garden Mat absorbs distortion during installation and enhances safety.
Aquarium tank cabinets
To safely enjoy aquarium tanks for a long time, aquarium tanks must be placed on special aquarium tank cabinets. We have our own cabinets built here in South Africa that are built to perfectly compliment the ADA brand. We can however on special request import an original ADA cabinet for you.
ADA Cube Garden 60-P
- Made of highly transparent glass
- No glued in glass parts for strutting
- Produced by experienced craftsmen by hand
ADA-Garden Mat for 60p
Cube Garden 60-P Cabinet
- Black / Gun Metal Grey
- Built to order
- Waterproofing
- Locally manufactured
- Fast turnaround time (5Working Days)
- (W60xD30xH70cm)
2. Spread substrate
1. Spread Power Sand and flatten it.
Power Sand consists of rich nutrients,
and prevents substrate from compacting during a long term maintenance. Put the Power Sand into the aquarium tank directly from a bag, and flatten the whole Power Sand to make it flat.
Power Sand Advanced S (2L)
- Ideal complement for the substrate system by ADA
- Prevents the substrate from compaction
- Improves the growth rate of microorganisms
- Particularly rich in nutrients
- Natural porous volcanic rock combined with humus
Power Sand Advanced S (2L)
- Ideal complement for the substrate system by ADA
- Prevents the substrate from compaction
- Improves the growth rate of microorganisms
- Particularly rich in nutrients
- Natural porous volcanic rock combined with humus
2. Sprinkle substrate additives
In order to maintain a healthy environment in an aquarium tank, add substrate additives. Add 3 spoons of each Bacter 100 and Clear Super (a spoon comes with the product), and add 10 spoons of Tourmaline BC as recommended dosages.
Bacter 100 by ADA (100g)
Clear Super by ADA 50g
- Ideal complement for the substrate system by ADA
- Makes the water crystal-clear
- Improves the growth rate of beneficial bacteria
- Ideal in combination with ADA Bacter 100
Tourmaline BC (100g)
- Ideal complement for the substrate system by ADA
- Mineral additive made of boron, aluminium, iron, magnesium and lithium
- Improves nutrient uptake by the aquatic plants
- Ideal in combination with ADA Clear Super and Bacter 100
3. Add Amazonia Supplement
Amazonia Supplement that comes with Amazonia Ver.2 has a function of enhancing nutrients. A bag of Amazonia Supplement (50mL) for 9L of Amazonia Ver.2 is the guideline for addition.
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia V2 (9l)
- 100 % natural black soil
- Helps to lower the hardness level of the water
- High humic and nutrient content
- Nutrient situation even better with the Amazonia supplement
4. Spread Aqua Soil – Amazonia Ver. 2
Amazonia Ver.2 is made from black soil effective for the growth of aquatic plants, and the water condition becomes more suitable for aquatic plants and fish with the function of the natural soil. If an inclination is given from the front to back, it creates perspective and depth.
3. Make a Composition
Making a composition with driftwood and stones might be the best part when creating a layout. Inspire your imagination by getting examples from natural scenery, and create a firm and stable composition.
1. Attach moss to driftwood
Firmly attach a thin layer of moss to the surface of driftwood with Moss Cotton. Moss Cotton will melt away by the time when the moss attaches.
Pro-Scissors Spring (curve type)
- Made of high-quality stainless steel
- Very sharp blades
- Ideal for trimming mosses
- Curved blade for greater flexibility
- Scissors open automatically when without pressure
Moss Cotton (200m)
- Dissolves under water after some time
- Ideal for attaching mosses to rocks or driftwood
- Inconspicuous due to its natural green colour
2. Make a composition with stones and driftwood.
A point when making a composition is a balance between the sizes of materials and their placement. Choose the right layout material size for the aquarium tank, and place them while thinking about the whole balance.
Envision how and where to plant aquatic plants:
When creating a composition, think about where to plant aquatic plants beforehand. Have a concrete idea of aquatic plants you are going to use while being conscious of all zones, such as foreground, midground and background, starting from the front.
4. Plant Aquatic Plants
Choose aquatic plants in accordance with an aquascape you envision. Plant aquatic plants carefully with tweezers for aquatic plants.
1. Preparation of aquatic plants to be used
Before planting, prepare aquatic
plants. For BIO Mizukusa no Mori, take
the aquatic plants out of the cups, and
if there is any culture medium left on
the plants, lightly rinse it off with water
and separate them into small portions.
Pro-Pinsettes Grip type M
- Made of high-quality stainless steel
- With extra wide grip for better hold
- Holds even delicate plants safely
- Sehr Comfortable pressure point for effortless work
2. Wet the substrate and start planting
If the substrate is wetted until the
foreground is lightly submerged in
water, it becomes easier for you to plant
aquatic plants with tweezers. Plant from
the foreground to background, and
gradually increase the water level.
Pro-Pinsettes Grip type M
- Made of high-quality stainless steel
- With extra wide grip for better hold
- Holds even delicate plants safely
- Sehr Comfortable pressure point for effortless work
Plant in the foreground, midground and background. In addition to BIO Mizukusa no Mori, Wabi-Kusa for the background and Jungle Plants for the midground were planted in this layout. ※Short aquatic plants are also called foreground plants (❶), and they were extendedly used from the foreground to background. As a result, an open space was created in the middle of the layout (concave composition).
Roles of aquatic plants
Nature Aquarium is made up of various interrelationships. Aquatic plants perform photosynthesis and release oxygen in the water, and living creatures use the oxygen to breathe. Aquatic plants can be living places for fish as well as playing a role to purify the water.
5. Attach epiphytes
Epiphytic aquatic plants are reassuring because they come in handy in difficult parts in a layout and the midground. Let’s improve the whole aquascape look by effectively arranging epiphytic aquatic plants.
1. Arrange epiphytic aquatic plants.
Hygrophila pinnatifida and Bolbitis should be used by having them take root on stones and driftwood. Think about hiding the base of stem plants and the continuity between the foreground and background, and plant them with a good balance.
Fix them with Wood Tight.
Wood Tight (10m)
- Ideal for attaching fern plants to driftwood
- Due to its brown colour, Wood Tight is hardly visible on driftwood
- Can be removed after the plant has taken root
2. Pour water while putting
a weight on the driftwood.
After planting, put a weight on the driftwood to avoid the driftwood from floating, and then pour water. Adjust tap water to 23~25℃, remove residual chlorine with Aqua Conditioner – Chlor-Off, and then pour water slowly.
ADA Chlor-Off
- Removes chlorine from the water fast and reliably
- Improves water quality for fish and shrimps
- Increases the well-being of your tank inhabitants
