40-Gallon Low-Tech Walstad Aquascape (Beginner)
A 40-gallon breeder Walstad aquascape planned for a low-tech setup and a beginner aquarist. It pairs 11 plant species with a 4-group stocking list, built around Spiderwood. 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 Spiderwood. 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 2.5–3.5" 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro Sword (New Zealand) Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae | Carpet | 9 pots | Light: medium · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Four-Leaf Clover (Large) Marsilea quadrifolia | Carpet | 9 pots | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Sagittaria sp. Mini Sagittaria sp. | Carpet | 9 pots | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Rigid-leaved Aponogeton Aponogeton rigidifolius | Accent | 4 plants | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Spiral Cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne spiralis | Accent | 4 plants | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Dwarf Lily (Nuphar) Nuphar pumila | Accent | 4 plants | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Aponogeton undulatus Aponogeton undulatus | Background | 3 bunches | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Bacopa caroliniana Bacopa caroliniana | Background | 3 bunches | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Bacopa monnieri Bacopa monnieri | Background | 3 bunches | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Anubias barteri var. nana Anubias barteri var. nana | Epiphyte | 3 portions | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Lance-leaf Anubias Anubias lanceolata | Epiphyte | 3 portions | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
Stocking list
| Species | Suggested count | Type | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray River Rainbowfish Melanotaenia fluviatilis | 12 | Peaceful | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
| Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish) Betta splendens | 1 | Semi_aggressive | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
| Corumba Apisto Apistogramma commbrae | 8 | Semi-aggressive | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
| Amano Shrimp Caridina multidentata | 9 | Invertebrate | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
Equipment
| Category | Recommendation | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filtration | Aquaclear 50 Power Filter (HOB) | ~$45–62 | Buy at Green Leaf Aquariums |
| Lighting | Fluval Aquasky 2.0 36–48" | ~$78–108 | 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. |