Aquascaping Style over Content?

[John N.]

In my past discussions with the Lo Brother's (ADA specialists) I asked them what was more important, the aquascape or the fish selection?

Their response was in sum, "there must be a balance between the aquascape, plants, hardscape and fish. All are equally important." Since they follow the Nature Style method which emphasizes balance and harmony, there was no surprised there. What did surprise me, was this balance of aquascape and fish selection wasn't acheived at the same time. In many scapes, I know the Lo's, and many others scapers out there, design the aquascape and let it mature before adding any fish. It was style over content so to speak...

Do you scape first, add fauna later too? Why and when do you know when it's time to add fish?

-John N.

[DriN8]

I have had fish for over twenty years and have a great enjoyment for them. Having only been nature scaping for over a year, my aim is always on the scape. The fish are secondary. Can you just imagine though how lucky the fish would be to find a home in such tanks as displayed!

[John N.]

Ever since, I've started planted aquariums. My fish have lived longer. Maybe because I pay attention to the scape facilities more, and do more regular cleanings and water changes.

So for me, it's planted aquarium first, and then fish secondary. Depending on the type of scape and plants, I usually add fish about 1 month after the tank has had a chance to establish itself. Corycats don't get a change to uproot the foreground!

-John N.

[trenac]

I think with me the scape is first, since I'm still learning how to get all the plants to flow together. Although the fish health is very important to me also, I think this goes hand & hand with a healthy planted tank.

If a tank is newly setup I wait a week or two before adding fish, then I only do a few at a time. Of course if the tank is already established in which I do a complete tear down & rescape, then I add the fish back within a day or two.

[plantbrain]

I agree with George and Steve, they like the fish equally.
Everyone goes one way or the other as few tanks can be truly equal.
Owners really have their own goals, some like the fish more and scape less and place more weight on one vs the other. Likewise, some might place more weight on the scape, only having a few fish if that.......eg shrimp tanks.

Most get into the hobby as fish hobbyists, so generally that is a larger part.
If you are going to promote this hobby in the future, you must address the fish at least equally. By promoting it equally, you help the fish hobbyists broaden their view without giving up their existing passion ---> fish!

This is a more synergistic view, more an ecosystem approach that looks nice and provides a nice habitat for the fish. This enhances both hobbies.

A pure plant scaper may have very poor fish keeping skills, likewise, we see more folks in the reverse scenario (bad plant skills, good fish skills).

*If both are well balanced, you see the results are larger than the sum of their parts.*

Fish keepers want plants for 2 main reasons: nutrient uptake, and to make their tanks look nicer over all.

If you place more emphasis on the plants, often the fish hobbyist respond negatively. "#$%%^& Plant people".........

Let plants and the scaping grow on them.
Allow their views ands goals to mature.
We all come at this from very different philosophies and goals.

However, showing equal care and thought to all the parts of an aquarium is a key to being a good aquarist.

Not just to the scape...........

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Norbert Sabat]

I choose fish when layout is 3-6week old....but honestly fish are no important to me, any small like neons will be good. I don't make philosophy from it, for me this is only small part of aquascape (that's why some people in my country say that i don't care about living animals - but this is not true )

[George Farmer]

I wait about a month before stocking display fish. Otos and shirmp are added right away.

When I change a 'scape, I'll generally change the fish to suit the design.

[Jur4ik]

in the past fish were more important for me because i was a fishkeeper, now beginning with aquascaping fish becomes less important.

but in the general point of view i agree with Tom Barr