Aquascaping with rock on a budget

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Most popular comments
for Aquascaping with rock on a budget

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Shoumin Mahmud - 7 years ago

What kind of light are you using? Can you please provide me a link to shoumin.mahmud@gmail.com ??

Phil Cuore - 7 years ago

a really beneficial inside tips for Aquascape, Dennis never shy on sharing all he knows for FREE ... i can watch it again and all over again and keeps learning some new tips ... this sifu is AWESOME !

Christos Ioannou - 7 years ago

Hi Dennis, @1:23 you are demonstrating a limestone hardscape. Isn't limestone the stone that will fizz with the vinegar test? Are you using limestone in your (planted) aquascapes without issues?
Oh, and thank you for your superb and educational videos!!!

Christos Ioannou - 7 years ago

Dennis Wong Sorry I did not realize it was seiryu rock, seemed a bit more more whitish . Thanks again.

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

Yes seiryu(limestone) is quite common in aquascaping circles and I use it in many of my tanks. So much for the fizz test .... It does raise KH over time, but if you do regular water changes, it'll keep within a usable range.

just b aquatics - 7 years ago

Dennis thanks buddy my problem solved

Tyrone Dunigan - 7 years ago

I know this comment is almost two years after this video was posted but this pushed me over the edge. I have watched at least five of your videos tonight. You go far beyond what I see on other channels. Not only are your tanks beautiful but you explain the theory and method behind your skills. The most impressive thing is you address the concerns of those who don't have a firm grip on the science or don't have an unlimited budget. Well done. You just picked up a fan and a subscriber. Thank you.

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

Thanks man ~ Glad to be able to spread the hobby

Ajith Jayamohan - 7 years ago

Dennis, Love your videos and thank you for sharing great ideas in such an understandable way even for new hobbyists like me! What is the plenum or mesh that have on which the drainage cells are placed?

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

Thanks man, That's just generic plastic mesh, nothing specific

batdead22 - 7 years ago

Fellow Singaporean, do you have a step by step video? By the way keep up your great work!

Thor - 7 years ago

Sound like my country men, u singaporean?

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

haa yea C328 block has a lot of shops ~

Thor - 7 years ago

Dennis Wong Very farrr thouuu, my closest is c328 xD xD im just 16yo hahahahahhaa

Thor - 7 years ago

Dennis Wong Ooooo hahahaha cool sia, first time seeing singaporean aquarium youtuber!!

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

Visit Fishy Business on weekends and you'll see me there

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

Yaman

Dallas Chan - 7 years ago

GREAT JOB!! GO SG AQUASCAPES!

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

ha thanks man

10. comment for Aquascaping with rock on a budget

Jen X - 7 years ago

I wish I had seen this video before completing the scape in my tanks. Awesome tip!

Benjamin Law - 7 years ago

Wow! Dennis, I was searching across youtube on solving the problem of rock falling.
You have solve my problem :) thanks so much

AQUA NUT - 7 years ago

Good idea Dennis I will look for that stuff at the garden shop. Thanks buddy

muhd khairil - 7 years ago

Hi Dennis, great tips for a beginner like myself. In my case, my concern was about the weights of the rocks since I'm putting it on a shelf which could only carry 50kg. Thanks to your video I manage to deal with the issue.

Could you also share the bulbs you are using on your tertial work lamp?

Thank you in advance! (:

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

those are standard household CFL bulbs, but higher wattage; 20/23 watts spiral CFLs

Changfeng Wu - 7 years ago

Hi Dennis, is there any trick to stabilize those rocks mounted in the grids? I find it hard to stabilize them.

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

I use smaller rocks to prop up the larger pieces

J PumpkinKing - 7 years ago

Doesn't the soil settle out to a level position after a while, even with the crate structure supporting the rock? I see a lot of aquascapes with a higher soil level in the back of the tank. If what I know about soil (ANY soil) is correct, that large pile of soil is going to slowly level itself out to one flat plane of soil throughout the entire aquarium. Even with a heavily planted tank, this will likely happen, as the soil is waterlogged.
So, again, will the soil settle itself out to a flat plane even if using garden crates like you show?

Please correct me if I'm wrong about all of the above.

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

it holds surprisingly well, especially if its planted. However, need to be careful at initial planting stage. For every steep slopes, using rocks underneath helps also.

Sean - 7 years ago

Hey, Dennis. What is the mat at the bottom of your tank? I really enjoy your videos, they are really informative and helped me out a lot as a beginning aquascaper. Thanks for the vids!

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

Heh thanks, it's just a plastic grid to prevent sharp points of the rock from scratching/cracking the bottom glass

Mister Plooms - 7 years ago

This is such a great tip, Dennis, and so much more logical than using lots of substrate. I bought some gravel pave system from my local garden centre and will be building my hardscape this weekend. Thanks!

Ng Han Siong - 7 years ago

Great advice! Going to try it out on my Fluval Edge.

Something Fishy Juno - 7 years ago

hey question dennis, how do you separate Sand from substrate? and on the drainage cells, since it's open in the sides, how do you block the substrate from bleeding into the sand?

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

I use smaller lava rock pieces to block the substrate... For surface sand/substrate, I tend to plant the sides, carpets that overlap both areas will hold the soil back

20. comment for Aquascaping with rock on a budget

Angel Castro - 7 years ago

All these are so beautiful BUT poor fishes no place to swim :(

laz0rbra1n - 7 years ago

for the germans: look out for Rasengitter/Rasenwabe/Kieswabe

Shane Henderson - 7 years ago

Brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing! I'll definitely be using this method on my next tank.

Julie Creamer - 7 years ago

I distribute drainage cells for US customers. I have them available in 20mm, 30mm, and 52mm widths. Email me at aquascapetank@gmail.com if interested!

Mals Aquaholics - 7 years ago

The most useful video on youtube ! Ive watched it 5 times... just ordered some drainage cells yesterday

MR Oz - 7 years ago

Dennis, thank you for sharing. Amazing work.

Joel Gonzales - 7 years ago

Just droppin a quick message for this video which gave me the idea to do my hardscape. 'Keep up the good job in providing informative and practical aquascaping videos!

Aslmx - 7 years ago

How many pounds would a 15 gallon normally take?

Dennis Wong - 7 years ago

depends on the stone(some are heavier), and how much you want to scape actually, more is always better as it gives options

dclxvi - 7 years ago

Ingenious idea.

J.Cliff Toomey - 8 years ago

you're a life saver! thank you so much!

30. comment for Aquascaping with rock on a budget

Mr Cee - 8 years ago

Great design hack! I'm in the US and can't find anything like this anywhere. Can anyone suggest an alternate material? Thanks!

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Eh its available in the US, check the links in the description and search "flow cells" or drainage cells

Gregory Marrero - 8 years ago

Will the drainage cells keep the substrate from rolling down?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Yes, to a certain extent, but if you use them very close to the surface it could be difficult to plant in

Claudia Penaranda - 8 years ago

What are the lights you use?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Check the other vids ~

dinosaur jr - 8 years ago

another awesome vid from Dennis the Menace... tnx again mate

MrJikanganai - 8 years ago

Been to whole stretch of C328 - tak boleh man. can't find any as nice as the ones u hv... BTW u give the best vids so far. Thanks a lot man. For a noob like me - such advice really helps!!!

One more qn if it's ok- Do u think it's worth trying for a high tech planted tank with average tank temp around 28-30 degrees? Coz I dun hv aircon running all the time...

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

yes, but check which plants work well at high temps; most will be alright. I did planted tanks for years in that temp range

Courtney B - 8 years ago

Hi Dennis, I found something similar to the cells. Do you think I should fill the holes with rocks or something to save substrate?

Courtney B - 8 years ago

I actually wrote this comment too hastily. The cells were way too thick and tough to cut. I didn't bother. I just used thin corrugated sheets and cut to size to keep the substrate banked up. One month on it's still going.

Jacob Horsley - 8 years ago

what alternative did you find i'm having no luck in finding anything.

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Yep, maybe crushed lava rock ? I fill mine with that or inert baked clay chips

WaterForest's Planted Tanks - 8 years ago

Always great stuff from you!

MrJikanganai - 8 years ago

Can I ask where can you get good cheap stones in SG?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

It's hard... I find my stones from East ocean aquatic, Aquatic avenue,
Fishy business, but they are not particularly cheap. C328 stretch and
Pasir ris farmways have cheaper stone, but not aesthetic. Some of the
rocks I brought back from overseas...

rdrdghd - 8 years ago

How do you go about cutting the drainage cells? I'm not hardware savvy so I'd like to avoid any accidents if possible, thanks!

rdrdghd - 8 years ago

yeah I tried with a knife and didn't get anywhere, my hands hurt after a while lol, I've heard people use electric saw so I'll try that, thank you!

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

they're very tough; I use a sharp knife, but I don't have good recommendations otherwise. SOme element of risk involved

arun ashok - 8 years ago

Hey,, Great work . Really motivating!.. I am very much new into aqua scaping. Could you tell me what are the two types of substrates you use here. I can see dark colored one (which I assume is the dirt you mentioned) and a light colored one in the middle. What are those and are those also layered or a single type

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Eh, there is dirt as a base every where, then I usually cap it with either cosmetic sand (white sand) or aquarium substrate (i.e. aquasoil). You can watch the 4ft setup video to see the construction of the layers

IBernE - 8 years ago

Love all your videos man. I'm redesigning my planted tank and there's a lot of good info here! Thanks!

Jumpeh - 8 years ago

Where do you obtain the rocks? Did you buy them in a shop in sg? I'm also singaporean btw I'm planning to get my first 10 gallon aquarium and I really want that limestone overhang that you had in the video.

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Yep, a mix of shops; seaview, aquatic avenue, Fishy business. Collected over the years; if I see a nice piece at the shop I'll buy and store it (same for wood), then when creating a new scape there is a selection to play with

Dramatic Aquatics - 8 years ago

wow awesome video!!

Sam Lariv - 8 years ago

what are those rocks called

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Which ones ?

Courtney B - 8 years ago

I can't find this in the UK, any help? All the similar stuff is really expensive

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Hmm I really have no idea of the UK market, maybe check the plant nurseries

Bagman - 8 years ago

Dennis I am new to aquascaping and the use of drainage cells makes very good sense. Love your artistic flare, thanks for sharing your ideas.

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

You're welcome ~

Austin Huynh - 8 years ago

Hello Dennis, do you use substrate barriers when using multiple top layer substrates? Im wondering if you slope your scape so high, does it create an issue where the substrate gradually move down?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Hmm I depend more on plants to hold the slope; sometimes rocks, the plastic grid also holds the slope. I haven't use plastic walls as yet

Rebelaqua - 8 years ago

Hey Dennis, what is the base substrate you use to cover us the drainage cells? Akadama?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

eh just dirt most of the times, Akadama is fine if you can find it for a good price. For deeper tanks, I use baked clay chips to fill in the deeper areas

Jose Consuegra - 8 years ago

Hey Dennis what kind of rocks do you use?

Jose Consuegra - 8 years ago

Talking about the ones on the video Aquascaping with rock on a budget

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Which tank are you asking about ? generally in this vid; grey = seiryu/limestone, yellow = petrified wood, black/reddish = lava rock

Swiftplayer 100 - 8 years ago

love ur tanks. verry artistic

50. comment for Aquascaping with rock on a budget

Herbshirt - 8 years ago

What are those lights Dennis?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

The single light bar is a custom spectrum BML build, while the two CFL lamps are for dawn/dusk lighting

Herbshirt - 8 years ago

Sorry, the ones @2:26.

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Which ones are you asking about ?

chelmica Zen - 8 years ago

Great movies and really educational.

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

You're welcome ~

K Hersey - 8 years ago

This is a really good idea even if a person has lots of money. It provides a nice way to go higher with low weight and good strength. Some really nice ideas.

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Heh thanks ! yeah, the weight is a consideration especially with larger tanks

uorme99 - 8 years ago

Thank you! Informative video

Muhammed Irshad Khan - 8 years ago

U R a legend

Joe A - 8 years ago

Beautiful scapes Dennis!

Hilde - 8 years ago

I have seen grid like what you used in florescent light section of hardware store

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+SuperKillifish Yes those are light diffusers, but I find that that has too much cell walls

713blackout - 8 years ago

Badass tank!! Thanks for the tips and tricks.

the69fury - 8 years ago

Very clever Dennis Wong, thanks for sharing!

PRhapsody - 8 years ago

Love your channel, very informative and creative. Where I live importing rocks and substrate isn't just expensive it is just not permitted and all I have access to is limestone (in abundance) and if lucky slate. I think I heard this aquascape was done using limestone, not sure, but if, how do you control your water parameters with the high carbonates in limestone, especially with fishes in the aquascape?

PRhapsody - 8 years ago

+Dennis Wong Awesome thanks.

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+PRhapsody Just regular water changes to prevent it getting sky high... in the limestone tanks, KH range between 8-12, most plants/fishes do fine

Mew Mew - 8 years ago

Swee lah bro. Good job

Forgot3nBurrito - 8 years ago

Where do you get the plain acrylic aquariums for aquascaping? I mostly find the rectangular glass ones.

96Eclipsed - 7 years ago

and Pennlex makes a nice Curved glass aquarium..

96Eclipsed - 7 years ago

Forgot3nBurrito ADA and Mr. Aqua make glass frameless tanks..

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+Forgot3nBurrito These are glass too

Forgot3nBurrito - 8 years ago

Such a great idea! Now I want to make a new tank to try it out. :)

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+Forgot3nBurrito You should ! and take a video and post the link here for people to see

Harri Goldsmith - 8 years ago

Thanks great tips

El Duderino - 8 years ago

This was an awesome tip. I haven't done my scape yet. I'm still trying to decide if I want rock or driftwood. Both are hard to find where I live. Can you recommend somewhere online to get Seiryu stone?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+El Duderino Good luck! I'm not sure where to get seiryu online- I get mine from local shops

Ryan Mahana - 8 years ago

What kind of crate did you use?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+Ryan Mahana There is a link in the description

anthony pope - 8 years ago

hi mate where do you get them supports for your rocks to sit on

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+anthony pope Hey, there are links in the description I think

Michael Gumm - 8 years ago

Youda man Dennis, can't wait to do my next scape. I'm going to do a big mountain scape and these egg crate tips will really help.

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+Michael Gumm You're welcome ~

Athlone Harris-Compton - 8 years ago

Awesome tip, thanks!

carlos melgoza - 7 years ago

Athlone Harris-Compton

skyy blue - 8 years ago

What type of plants are those in the video?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

Mostly types of AR - Alternanthera reineckii mini, and some varigated ones

skyy blue - 8 years ago

I am asking about the red plants.

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+skyy blue Which plants are you asking about ?

Ray Lee - 8 years ago

love your work keep it up!!

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+Ray Lee thanks!

Maxime C. - 8 years ago

You're like a reincarnation of Takashi Amano :) great videos. They've all helped me enormously.

Whats the name of the red plant?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+Maxime Caudebec ha thanks... which red plant is it ? In many of my tanks I have Alternanthera reineckii (mini) and ludwigia arcuata

Bubba Bumpkim - 8 years ago

Nice material Dennis, I'll use it on an upcoming project, I have some rather large stones and this will make it quite stable

Faiz Izzuddin - 8 years ago

I stay in Malaysia and looking for this too. It's difficult to get this item..

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+Bubba Bumpkim Thanks Tom ~ Looking forward to seeing the scape; those stones you have look huge

good samaritan - 8 years ago

dennis where did you find those garden crates...cos i cant find them in malaysia...any online stores..

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+good samaritan I know where to find them in singapore (Far east flora and other plant nurseries), not sure where else to find them though. I'm waiting for someone to find a readily available substitute online or otherwise that I can add to the video link

ManicMindTrick - 9 years ago

The last tank was just spectacular. Perfect balance of rock, sand, plants, shapes and colours. You are very talented.
Can you tell me the exact name of the lighting setup you got there. Looks like some inexpensive armature with speciality bulbs?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+ManicMindTrick The center LED bar is the Dutch XB fixture by BuildMyLED.com (from Texas). The two silver lamps are Ikea desklamps with Phillips warm white 2700k fluorescent bulbs to give a warm look/reddish cast to the tank. The LED bar is somewhat expensive, the ikea lamps are very cheap ha.

j03yYunG Aquariums - 9 years ago

Great tips!

Steve Hung - 9 years ago

Thank you for your time and nice video.... wish i saw this before creating my first iwagumi.

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+Steve Hung You're welcome... don't worry there will always be the next one ha

ADU Aquascaping - 9 years ago

Looks like it works well. You know I will just say to use lava rubble. LOL It helps hold up sand slopes as well! haha. Great vid man.

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+ADU Aquascaping haa, yeah lava rubble is quite cheap as well.

rustilldown7 - 9 years ago

haha. I couldnt help but cuss you out at the end, looking at the last tank.

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+rustilldown7 hahaa

cicco - 9 years ago

The best i seen to thanks Dennis

Aleos Oricos - 9 years ago

genius

sirbreakemstuff - 9 years ago

hi, what is the name of that stuff please and thank you

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+sirbreakemstuff It's in the description ! I'm not sure whether there is actually a common name, but here they call it drainage cells

Rommel R - 9 years ago

I find your videos very informative, thanks. Question, why do you setup your eheim outflow with the strainer like that?

Dennis Wong - 8 years ago

+Rommel R Oh I use that device to fill the tank with water, it connects to the tap

Agr414 - 9 years ago

Do you always run those cfl bulbs with the led light bar?

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

Yes, they are 2700k bulbs to give warmth to the BML dutch fixtures. I keep them on all the time, unless I want less light in the tank. so they're on for 8 hours, while the BMLs run for around 5-6 hours

Agr414 - 9 years ago

+Dennis Wong so do you have them come on before the light bar and turn off after the light bar, also are they a lower kelvin rating like 2700k?

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+Agr414 Depending on which light bar I use, sometimes yes, sometimes not, I like the dawn/dusk effect with them if the light bar doesn't come with a controller for dawn/dusk function

Tyler Volk - 9 years ago

What is this stuff called? Gallon Crate? Anyone have a link to place where I can read up on it? I can then try to find it locally. Thank you.

Tyler Volk - 9 years ago

+Dennis Wong thanks. Sorry must have overlooked that.

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+Tyler Volk There are links in the description, but it's linked to local sources

AQUADESIGN by aquamaniac - 9 years ago

Now thats something.
It surely makes the rockwork bill smaller.
I will try that at some stage.
The only but is in that i like designing my rockwork paying alot of attention to details that cannot be seen as much as those that can.
Overall it makes no sense, if it can't be seen why worry.
But i like to think i am building a real mountain or any other type of rock formation from the ground up

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+AQUADESIGN by aquamaniac I know what you mean, wish I had a cheaper source of stone as well, not much variety on this island. We have a few imported varieties, but it gets costly

AquaScapeGoat TV - 9 years ago

I gotta get my hands on this stuff! It looks like it allows more circulation in the substrate vs the regular egg crate.

Awesome work as always!

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+AquaScapeGoat TV Yep, plants root quite easily in this one

Tin Goose - 9 years ago

Brilliant idea! Thank you for posting, keep up the great videos

Damion Markham - 9 years ago

thank you

C Math - 9 years ago

Please make a video on fertilizing the tank to achieve maximum growth and health of plants.

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+C Math There is a vid on tank balance that somewhat covers this

Piotr Angielczyk - 9 years ago

Very good idea.

4FunRC - 9 years ago

Best solution I've seen yet!
The tanks... appear so very finely constructed. Superlative! Material, manufacturer?

4FunRC - 8 years ago

+Dennis Wong - Hello!
I've looked many times for similar tanks available to the USA. Nothing, compares to the tanks you've recorded. All I've found are simply not comparable; lacking. This comment ends my complaining. Regards.

4FunRC - 9 years ago

+Dennis Wong - Thank you. I'm located in the USA, about 4 1/2 hrs. from Seattle, WA.

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+4FunRC Not really, I'm in Singapore and the shops here have contacts from China. If you're in SG: C328, seaview all have relatively cheap crystal glass options. Quality varies so check before buying a particular tank

4FunRC - 9 years ago

+Joel Lim - An eBay-like site located in China, I presume. The low iron, rimless, all glass tanks I've searched for are all overpriced here in the USA. I'll keep looking. Thanks.

Joel Lim - 9 years ago

+Dennis Wong taobao?

Dennis Wong - 9 years ago

+4FunRC No idea ! ? They're cheap, fairly well made China imports, all crystal glass at very good prices. The 3ft tank at the end of the vid costs around 90 USD