Aquascaping Supplies Australia

Everything You Need for a Planted Aquarium

Aquascaping combines aquatic plants, substrate, rock, wood, lighting and aquarium equipment to create a balanced and attractive underwater landscape.

You do not need an advanced high-tech aquarium to get started. Many beautiful planted tanks can be created with hardy plants, suitable lighting and a simple substrate setup. More demanding plants and faster-growing aquascapes may benefit from nutrient-rich substrate, fertilisation and controlled CO2 supplementation.

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Live Aquarium Plants

Live plants bring colour, texture and natural structure to an aquascape. Different species can be positioned throughout the foreground, midground and background to create depth while rocks and driftwood provide structure between planted areas.

Browse our live aquarium plants for freshwater planted tanks and aquascapes, with options for beginners through to more experienced planted aquarium keepers.

Not sure which plants will work best in your setup? Our guide to choosing aquarium plants for your fish tank explains how to match plants with your fish, lighting, substrate, fertilisation and CO2 requirements.

Aquasoil & Planted Aquarium Substrate

The substrate forms the foundation of a planted aquarium and provides an anchoring medium for rooted aquatic plants.

Our planted aquarium substrate and aquasoil range includes active aquasoils, porous plant substrates and aquarium sands suitable for different planted tank styles.

Some active substrates can influence pH, KH or hardness, while inert substrates generally have much less effect on water chemistry. Choose the substrate according to the plants, fish or shrimp you intend to keep rather than appearance alone.

Aquascaping Rocks & Hardscape

Rock and wood form the structural foundation of many aquascapes. They can be used to create focal points, slopes, caves, root systems and natural-looking transitions throughout the aquarium.

Browse our aquascaping rocks and hardscape and aquarium wood and driftwood to build structure before adding substrate and plants.

Driftwood & Aquarium Wood

Driftwood adds natural lines, height and texture to an aquarium. It also provides useful surfaces for attaching epiphytic plants such as Anubias and Java Fern.

Explore our aquarium wood and driftwood range to create root structures, branches, shaded areas and natural focal points.

Aquascaping Tools

Good aquascaping tools make planting, trimming and maintaining an aquarium much easier.

Our aquascaping tools include equipment for precise planting, pruning and ongoing maintenance. Long tweezers help position plants without unnecessarily disturbing the surrounding substrate, while specialised scissors make regular trimming easier.

Planted Aquarium Lighting

Lighting plays an important role in plant growth, colour and the overall appearance of an aquascape. The amount of light required depends on the plant species, aquarium depth, photoperiod, nutrient availability and CO2 levels.

Browse our aquascaping and planted aquarium lighting for lighting options designed for freshwater planted tanks and aquascapes.

Aquascaping Tanks

The dimensions and proportions of an aquarium can strongly influence an aquascape. Wider tanks provide more floor space for hardscape and planting, while open viewing areas help create depth and perspective.

Explore our aquascaping tanks for aquarium options suited to planted tanks and aquascaped displays.

CO2 for Planted Aquariums

Carbon dioxide is required by aquatic plants for photosynthesis, but not every planted aquarium needs injected CO2.

Hardy, low-demand plants can often grow successfully without additional CO2. More demanding species, stronger lighting and high-growth planted aquariums may benefit from controlled CO2 supplementation.

Aquaholics stocks CO2 equipment and accessories including regulators, diffusers, atomisers, bubble counters and CO2 indicators. If you are new to injected CO2, read our CO2 for planted aquariums guide before choosing a system.

Plant Nutrients & Water Supplements

Aquarium plants require a range of nutrients for healthy growth. Depending on the plants and substrate being used, nutrients may be supplied through liquid fertilisers, root feeding or a combination of both.

Browse our aquascaping water supplements for products designed to support freshwater planted aquariums.

How to Plan an Aquascape

There is no single correct way to aquascape an aquarium. The best layout depends on the style you want to create, the plants you intend to grow and the fish or shrimp that will live in the tank.

A useful starting point is to plan the major elements before filling the aquarium with water. Position larger rocks and wood first, shape the substrate around the hardscape and then add plants according to their expected mature size.

• Foreground: lower-growing plants and open substrate areas.
• Midground: feature plants, smaller wood and rock details.
• Background: taller plants and hardscape used to create height and depth.
• Focal points: distinctive rocks, driftwood or plants used to draw the eye.

Leaving open areas can be just as important as adding plants and hardscape. Negative space creates contrast, improves the sense of depth and provides room for fish to swim.

Low-Tech vs High-Tech Planted Aquariums

A low-tech planted aquarium generally uses moderate lighting, hardy plants and little or no injected CO2. These setups can be an excellent option for beginners or aquarists who prefer lower maintenance.

A high-tech planted aquarium typically combines stronger lighting, controlled CO2 injection and regular nutrient dosing. This can support faster growth and more demanding plant species but generally requires closer monitoring and maintenance.

Neither approach is automatically better. The right choice depends on the plants you want to grow, the aquarium style you prefer and how much maintenance you want to undertake.

Aquascaping Supplies on the Sunshine Coast

Aquaholics supplies aquascapers and freshwater aquarium keepers from our aquarium store in Baringa on the Sunshine Coast, with aquascaping supplies also available for delivery across Australia.

Whether you are setting up your first planted aquarium, rebuilding an established tank or planning a detailed aquascape, you can find plants, substrate, lighting, tanks, hardscape, tools and specialist planted aquarium equipment in one place.

Why Shop Aquascaping Supplies at Aquaholics?

Aquaholics brings together the key elements of freshwater aquascaping in one place, from live aquarium plants and aquasoil to hardscape, lighting, CO₂ equipment and specialist tools. Shop online with Australia-wide delivery or visit us on the Sunshine Coast for local aquarium support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to start aquascaping?

A basic aquascape usually requires an aquarium, suitable substrate, aquarium-safe hardscape such as rock or driftwood, live plants, appropriate lighting, filtration and maintenance equipment. Fertilisers and injected CO2 may also be useful depending on the plants you choose.

Do I need CO2 for an aquascaped aquarium?

No. Many hardy aquarium plants can grow successfully without injected CO2. Higher-demand plants and high-light aquascapes may benefit from controlled CO2 supplementation.

What is the best substrate for aquascaping?

There is no single best substrate for every aquarium. Active aquasoil is popular for many planted tanks, while porous plant substrates and inert aquarium sands can also work well when matched to the requirements of the plants and livestock.

Can I use driftwood and rocks together?

Yes. Combining aquarium wood and rock is a popular way to create natural structure, focal points and depth. Use aquarium-safe materials and be aware that some types of rock can influence water hardness or pH.

What lighting is best for aquarium plants?

The right lighting depends on the plant species, aquarium depth, photoperiod, nutrients and CO2 availability. Low-demand plants generally require less intense lighting, while more demanding plants may benefit from stronger planted aquarium lighting.

Are live aquarium plants suitable for beginners?

Yes. Many aquarium plants are beginner friendly. Hardy species such as Anubias, Java Fern and Vallisneria are commonly used in lower-maintenance planted aquariums.

Do aquascaped tanks need special filtration?

Not necessarily. The filter should provide suitable biological and mechanical filtration for the aquarium's volume and livestock while maintaining adequate water circulation. Flow should also suit the plants and fish being kept.

Can I buy aquascaping supplies on the Sunshine Coast?

Yes. Aquaholics is located in Baringa on the Sunshine Coast and stocks aquascaping supplies for freshwater planted aquariums. Customers can also order online for delivery across Australia.