Planted Tanks & Aquascaping

The African Water Fern — Elegance in the Aquascape By Dr. Nataraj R, PhD Estimated read time: 3–4 minutes Among the many aquatic ferns cultivated for freshwater aquariums, Bolbitis heudelotii occupies a unique position — thanks to its graceful appearance, slow growth, and remarkable adaptability. Commonly known as the African Water Fern or Congo Fern, it has become one of the most admired plants in nature-style aquascaping. Unlike most rooted aquatic plants, this fern doesn't

The story behind India’s newest Nature Aquarium Gallery. By Amar Salvi, Editor — The Weekend Aquarist Estimated read time: 6–7 minutes When we first heard aquascaper and entrepreneur Amartya Ghosh describe his vision for TiCi Nature Lab, it sounded ambitious: a place where aquariums, terrariums, rainforests, vertical gardens, aquatic plants, and ecosystem education would come together under one roof. A recent visit by The Weekend Aquarist confirmed that this vision is rapidly

Mahen Adaranthe is a mechanical engineer by profession — but it's nature, not engineering, that has truly shaped who he is. He grew up in the Malenadu region of Karnataka, a landscape of dense forests, flowing streams, and remarkable biodiversity, and that early immersion left a lasting mark on him. By The Weekend Aquarist Estimated read time: 4–5 minutes His aquarium journey began the way many great obsessions do: with a childhood gift. His father handed him his first aquari

A Graceful Floating Sedge of Freshwater Ecosystems By Dr. Nataraj J, PhD — Still Water Aquatics, Plants Division Estimated read time: 5–6 minutes In quiet backwaters and slow tropical rivers, where light filters gently through moving water, long green threads drift and sway like living silk. These delicate strands belong to Eleocharis fluctuans, a distinctive aquatic sedge whose beauty lies not in bold colours or dramatic leaves, but in motion itself. Unlike the familiar carp

Dr. Nithyanandan Manickam on two decades of marine science, competitive aquascaping, and translating ecology into art. By The Weekend Aquarist Estimated read time: 7–8 minutes Dr. Nithyanandan Manickam is an Associate Research Scientist at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, with over two decades of expertise in marine ecology and biodiversity. Holding a PhD from Bangor University, his work spans benthic ecosystems, habitat restoration, and the study of marine life

When Amar Salvi invited them to contribute a hobbyist spotlight for this month's issue, Ankit and Rashmi's first reaction was disbelief. They are, by their own description, two modest weekend aquarists running a couple of simple, low-tech nano setups — nothing that screams “feature story.” The reaction quickly gave way to a different concern: how would they even find the time to write the piece? By The Weekend Aquarist Estimated read time: 3–4 minutes As amateur hobbyists, th

From jewel-like orchids to climbing shinglers and plants that grow beside flowing streams, Navneeth and Giggs pick five species that can transform a paludarium into a living landscape. By Navneeth & Giggs Estimated read time: 3–4 minutes A well-designed paludarium is more than an aquarium with a few plants growing above the waterline. It's a miniature ecosystem — one in which water, rock, wood, moss and foliage gradually merge into a living landscape. The most convincing palu

An in-depth conversation with aquascaper Dennis Wong, exploring the origins of the 2Hr Aquarist Method, his journey into competitive aquascaping, and how time-efficient systems can still produce world-class planted aquariums. By Amar Salvi, Editor — The Weekend Aquarist Estimated read time: 7–9 minutes For this exclusive podcast interview, I caught up with Dennis Wong, co-founder of the 2Hr Aquarist brand, to explore his approach to time-efficient aquascaping. Dennis is known

A field visit with founder Amartya Ghosh—from science-driven planted tanks to hydroponic vertical forests and “mini phytospheres” that turn any room into a slice of nature. By Amar, Editor — The Weekend Aquarist Estimated read time: 7–9 minutes “City of Joy,” slab of rainforest I’ve tracked TiCi Nature Lab on Instagram for months, but stepping into Amartya’s gallery in Harua, Kolkata is different. The first thing that stops you: a waterfall-washed rock wall—not plastic, but a