20-Gallon Low-Tech Jungle Aquascape (Beginner)
A 20-gallon Jungle aquascape planned for a low-tech setup and a beginner aquarist. It pairs 7 plant species with a 4-group stocking list, built around Malaysian Driftwood and River Rock. Everything below is sized to the tank and matched to the beginner skill level.
Generate this exact design in the studio →Hardscape & layout
Built around Malaysian Driftwood and River Rock. Place the largest piece off-centre on the golden ratio, angled slightly back, with smaller supporting pieces stepping away from it.
Substrate
Aqua soil or capped organic base, capped with fine natural gravel/sand cap, built to about 2–3" deep. A nutrient base keeps low-tech plants fed; cap with fine gravel. Slope higher at the back.
Plant list & placement
| Plant | Placement | Quantity | Needs | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearlweed (Carpet form) Hemianthus micranthemoides | Carpet | 6 pots | Light: medium · CO₂: recommended | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Staurogyne sp. Low Staurogyne sp. | Carpet | 6 pots | Light: medium · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Onion Plant Crinum thaianum | Accent | 3 plants | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Tiger Lotus (Green) Nymphaea lotus 'Green' | Accent | 3 plants | Light: medium · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Aponogeton crispus Aponogeton crispus | Background | 2 bunches | Light: medium · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Aponogeton undulatus Aponogeton undulatus | Background | 2 bunches | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Anubias barteri (broad leaf) Anubias barteri var. barteri | Epiphyte | 2 portions | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
Stocking list
| Species | Suggested count | Type | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checkered Barb Oliotius oligolepis | 8 | Semi-aggressive | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
| Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish) Betta splendens | 1 | Semi_aggressive | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
| Corumba Apisto Apistogramma commbrae | 4 | Semi-aggressive | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
| Amano Shrimp Caridina multidentata | 5 | Invertebrate | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
Equipment
| Category | Recommendation | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filtration | Aquaclear 20 Power Filter (HOB) | ~$32–45 | Buy at Green Leaf Aquariums |
| Lighting | Nicrew ClassicLED Plus 24–30" | ~$30–44 | Buy at Green Leaf Aquariums |
| Heating | Eheim Jager 100W | ~$27–38 | Buy at Chewy |
| Substrate | Fluval Stratum 17.6lb | ~$48–65 | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Fertilizer | Seachem Flourish Comprehensive 250ml | ~$8–14 | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Testkit | API Freshwater Master Test Kit | ~$28–42 | Buy at Aquarium Co-Op |
| Water treatment | Seachem Prime 500ml | ~$12–20 | Buy at Aquarium Co-Op |
| Bacteria | Seachem Stability 250ml | ~$8–14 | Buy at Aquarium Co-Op |
Care schedule
| Daily | Feed lightly; a quick glance for anything unusual. |
| Weekly | 25–30% water change, light fertilizer dose, wipe the glass, quick trim. |
| Monthly | Rinse filter media in old tank water; test KH, GH, and pH; deep-trim and replant tops. |
| As needed | Top off evaporation with dechlorinated water; spot-clean algae. |