Hobbies & Practical

Aquascape Class

Creating My First Aquatic Plant Garden

Author 김상현

Publisher 성신미디어

Published Mar 3, 2022

Size 185×250mm

ISBN 9791190917070

Price 18,000 KRW

Aquascape Class (아쿠아스케이프 클래스) generously offers hands-on practice in building an aquascape tank, aquascaping know-how, and the aquatic plant care methods of its author—an expert who imports and supplies aquatic plant seeds. The 'Aquatic Plant Gallery' features photographs of over 130 species of aqua…

Aquascape Class Detail images

What Is Aquascaping?

Aquascape is a compound of Aqua (water) and Landscape, referring to the artistic practice of creating beautiful natural scenery inside a tank using a variety of natural materials such as aquatic plants, rocks, and driftwood. Going beyond merely decorating a tank, it is a creative act that fully expresses the artist's aesthetic sense and creativity, and so it is known as 'aquascaping art' and recognized as an independent work of art.

The World of Aquascaping Art, Learned Through Aquascape Class

Aquascape Class is a practical guide structured so that you can systematically learn everything from the basics of aquascaping to advanced techniques. The book contains step-by-step, hands-on processes for building a real aquascape tank, along with detailed aquascaping know-how accumulated over years of experience.

In particular, the aquatic plant care methods shared by the author—an expert who personally imports and supplies aquatic plant seeds—are a value unique to this book. From selecting aquatic plants to planting, care, and propagation, the author generously shares professional knowledge proven in the field, providing useful information for everyone from beginners to seasoned hobbyists.

A Special Gallery of Over 130 Species of Aquatic Plants

One of the highlights of the book is the 'Aquatic Plant Gallery' section. It vividly presents photographs of over 130 species of aquatic plants taken by the author himself, allowing you to closely observe the unique characteristics and beauty of each plant. Through this, readers can feel the boundless charm and diversity of aquatic plants even more deeply, and gain valuable inspiration when envisioning their own aquascape creations.

Invite Nature Into Your Space

With Aquascape Class, anyone can transform their space into a fresh, vibrant aquatic plant garden. This journey, which begins with a single small tank, will become a special experience that goes beyond a mere hobby—bringing the tranquility and beauty of nature into your everyday life.

Author's Preface

PART 1. Aquascape

Chapter 1. The Beginning and Growth of the Aquatic Hobby

The Various Forms of Aquascaping

  • Diorama / Nature Aquarium
  • Iwagumi / Biotope
  • Dutch / Vivarium

Chapter 2. Preparing for Aquascaping

Basic Equipment

  • The Tank: The Size of the Underwater World
  • The Filter: Managing Water Condition
  • Heaters and Chillers: Managing Water Temperature

Equipment for Building the Ecosystem

  • Lighting: Light for Plant Photosynthesis
  • Carbon Dioxide: The Respiration of Aquatic Plants
  • Substrate: Regulating Hydrogen Ion Concentration
  • Nutrients: The Growth and Propagation of Aquatic Plants
  • Materials: Rocks and Driftwood

Other Equipment and Tools

  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Sand Flattener
  • Spirit Level
  • Paint Brush
  • Water Quality Testing Tools
  • Net
  • Lubricant
  • Magnet

Chapter 3. Aquascaping Practice

  • STEP 1. Leveling the Tank and Positioning the Basic Equipment
  • STEP 2. Hardscape
  • STEP 3. Planting Aquatic Plants and Mosses
  • STEP 4. Filling with Water
  • STEP 5. Installing the Basic Equipment and Cycling the Water

PART 2. Aquatic Plants

Chapter 4. Classifying Aquatic Plants

Classification by Placement

  • Foreground Plants / Midground Plants / Background Plants

Classification by Light Preference

  • Low-Light Plants
  • High-Light Plants

Classification by Form and Characteristics

  • Stem Plants / Rhizome Plants
  • Rosette Plants / Bulb Plants
  • Floating-Leaf Plants / Ferns
  • Mosses

Chapter 5. Selecting and Planting Aquatic Plants

How to Choose Healthy Aquatic Plants, and Precautions

  • Checking and Maintaining the Health of Aquatic Plants

Preparation and Planting by the Plant's Form of Sale

  • Stem-Type Plants
  • Potted Plants
  • Tissue-Culture Plants
  • Attaching (Epiphytic) Plants

Chapter 6. Trimming and Propagating Aquatic Plants

Trimming Aquatic Plants

  • Basic Trimming Methods
  • Trimming Due to Aging and Damage

Propagating Aquatic Plants

  • Propagation of Stem-Type Plants
  • Propagation of Creeping (Runner) Plants
  • Propagation by Rhizome Division
  • Propagation by Clump Division
  • Propagation by Spores

Chapter 7. Nutrient Management for Aquatic Plants

Checking the Nutritional Status of Aquatic Plants

  • pH · GH · KH
  • TDS: A Useful Indicator
  • Checking the Proper CO2 Concentration Using pH and KH

Symptoms of Deficiency by Nutrient

  • Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms Explained with Illustrations

Assessing the Aquatic Environment and Supplementing Nutrients

Chapter 8. Managing Algae

Distinguishing Algae from Moss

Various Types of Algae

  • Brown Algae
  • Green Algae
  • Green Spot Algae
  • Fuzz Algae
  • Brush Algae
  • Hair Algae
  • Thread Algae, etc.
  • Frog-Egg Algae
  • Staghorn Algae

Aquatic Plant Gallery

Kim Sang-hyun

When I first saw living aquatic plants—swaying in the water as they held tiny bubbles of air—I fell completely in love, and I have been with aquatic plants ever since. Believing that you never grow tired of doing what you love, I run both a creative workshop and an online shop under the name 'Mulsup' (Water Forest).

Ten years ago, no matter how large an aquarium store I visited, I was never satisfied with the small selection of similar aquatic plants on offer, so searching through overseas resources and photographs became another hobby of mine. Wishing to share aquatic plant information more freely and to connect with others, I opened and now run the Naver café 'Sucho Munhwawon' (Aquatic Plant Culture Center).

Aquascaping is the work of creating a living world. Because we are creators who can make anything, we also bear the responsibility of life that comes with making a world. That is why the sense of fulfillment, when you have built a world in which living things thrive beautifully, is moving beyond words. The world inside the tank is a space that shares my life, and it becomes a refuge for us.

I have gathered the aquascaping experience and aquatic plant knowledge I have accumulated over the years to write this book. I hope that Aquascape Class will be of help to those who are just becoming interested in aquascaping and wish to begin.

Instagram @87.5.4
Website www.aquascape.co.kr
Aquatic Plant Culture Center cafe.naver.com/iaplc