75-Gallon Low-Tech Nature Aquascape (Beginner)
A 75-gallon Nature aquascape planned for a low-tech setup and a beginner aquarist. It pairs 15 plant species with a 4-group stocking list, built around Manzanita Wood and Seiryu Stone. 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 Manzanita Wood and Seiryu Stone. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwarf Hairgrass Mini Eleocharis sp. 'Mini' | Carpet | 12 pots | Light: medium · CO₂: recommended | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Pearlweed (Carpet form) Hemianthus micranthemoides | Carpet | 12 pots | Light: medium · CO₂: recommended | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Micro Sword (New Zealand) Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae | Carpet | 12 pots | Light: medium · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Four-Leaf Clover (Large) Marsilea quadrifolia | Carpet | 12 pots | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Rigid-leaved Aponogeton Aponogeton rigidifolius | Accent | 5 plants | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Onion Plant Crinum thaianum | Accent | 5 plants | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Spiral Cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne spiralis | Accent | 5 plants | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Tiger Lotus (Green) Nymphaea lotus 'Green' | Accent | 5 plants | Light: medium · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Ludwigia natans Ludwigia natans | Background | 4 bunches | Light: medium · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Rotala rotundifolia (green) Rotala rotundifolia | Background | 4 bunches | Light: medium · CO₂: recommended | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Pearlweed (Hemianthus glomeratus) Hemianthus glomeratus | Background | 4 bunches | Light: medium · CO₂: beneficial | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Stargrass Heteranthera zosterifolia | Background | 4 bunches | Light: medium · CO₂: beneficial | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Anubias 'Coffeefolia' Anubias barteri 'Coffeefolia' | Epiphyte | 4 portions | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Anubias barteri var. nana Anubias barteri var. nana | Epiphyte | 4 portions | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
| Anubias 'Minima' Anubias barteri var. 'Minima' | Epiphyte | 4 portions | Light: low · CO₂: not required | Buy at Buce Plant |
Stocking list
| Species | Suggested count | Type | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray River Rainbowfish Melanotaenia fluviatilis | 16 | Peaceful | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
| Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish) Betta splendens | 1 | Semi_aggressive | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
| Corumba Apisto Apistogramma commbrae | 12 | Semi-aggressive | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
| Amano Shrimp Caridina multidentata | 13 | Invertebrate | Buy at Flip Aquatics |
Equipment
| Category | Recommendation | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filtration | Marineland Penguin 350B Bio-Wheel HOB | ~$35–52 | Buy at Green Leaf Aquariums |
| Lighting | Finnex Stingray 2 48" | ~$46–68 | Buy at Green Leaf Aquariums |
| Heating | Aqueon Pro 200W Submersible Heater | ~$18–30 | Buy at Chewy |
| Substrate | Miracle-Gro Organic Potting Mix | ~$8–16 (1 cu ft bag) | 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. |