The Sanctuary of Imladris

JungleAdvanced

The Sanctuary of Imladris

"Escape to the Hidden Valley of Rivendell. This design focuses on verticality and elegance, featuring 'weeping' moss trees and long, flowing grasses that dance in the current like Elven silk. With a pristine white sand 'Bruinen River' bisecting the lush greenery and graceful Pearl Gouramis acting as the Lords and Ladies of the valley, this tank is a masterpiece of tranquility and high-end botanical art."

Minimum Tank Size

60g Tall (48x13x24)

Volume

60 gal

Water Parameters

75°F-77°F

6.5-7 pH

Substrate

ADA Amazonia Ver.2 (Active Soil)ADA La Plata Sand (Pristine white path)

Hardscape Components

SpiderwoodArranged to look like ancient, gnarled trees overhanging a path

Frodo StoneScattered at the edge of the sand path for a natural bank look

Fauna Inventory

Pearl Gourami

Centerpiece

Upper water column

Rummy Nose Tetra

Schooling Fish

15x

Middle water column

Flora Inventory

Vallisneria Americana (Gigantea)

Stem

8 bunches

Background far left and right

Weeping Moss (Vesicularia ferriei)

Moss

4 pads

Attached to Spiderwood branches

Bucephalandra 'Green Wavy'

Epiphyte

5 pots

Midground driftwood roots

Nymphaea Zenkeri (Red Tiger Lotus)

Bulb

1 bulb

Midground focal point

The Sanctuary of Imladris

Jungle Aquascape Plan

aquascaping.ai

January 15, 2026

Tank60g Tall (48x13x24) (60 gal)

Parameters75-77°F • pH 6.5-7

DifficultyAdvanced

Fauna

3x Pearl Gourami
15x Rummy Nose Tetra

Flora

8 bunches Vallisneria Americana (Gigantea)
4 pads Weeping Moss (Vesicularia ferriei)
5 pots Bucephalandra 'Green Wavy'
1 bulb Nymphaea Zenkeri (Red Tiger Lotus)

Shopping List

Tank & Supplies

Item	Qty	Est. Cost
60 Gallon Tall Aquarium (48x13x24)- Ensure the stand can support over 600 lbs.	1	$300 - $500
High-Flow Canister Filter (300+ GPH)- Needed for use with glass lily pipes.	1	$150 - $250
48-inch RGB-UV LED Aquarium Light- Specifically for high-light plants and color enhancement.	1	$180 - $350
Pressurized CO2 System with Solenoid- High CO2 is required for Weeping Moss and Bucephalandra health.	1 Kit	$150 - $300
Glass Lily Pipes (Inflow/Outflow)- For the clean, professional aesthetic seen in the design.	1 set	$40 - $100
300W Submersible Aquarium Heater- Target 75-77°F for mixed community health.	1	$30 - $50
ADA Amazonia Ver.2 (9L)- Provides nutrients for the heavy-rooting Vallisneria and Lotus.	3 bags	$120 - $150
ADA La Plata Sand (8kg)- Used for the iconic 'Bruinen River' white sand path.	2 bags	$60 - $80

Hardscape

	Item	Qty	Est. Cost
	Spiderwood (Mixed Large/Branchy)- Look for gnarled branches to create the 'weeping tree' effect.	4-6 pieces	$80 - $150
	Frodo Stone (Ancient Stone)- Used to transition between the sand path and the planted soil.	20 lbs	$100 - $140

Flora

Item	Qty	Est. Cost
Vallisneria Americana (Gigantea)- Plant at the far back corners.	8 bunches	$40 - $60
Weeping Moss (Vesicularia ferriei)- Tie or glue to the downward-sloping Spiderwood branches.	4 pads	$30 - $50
Bucephalandra 'Green Wavy'- Attach to the base of the driftwood; do not bury the rhizome.	5 pots	$50 - $75
Red Tiger Lotus- The focal point plant; keep it trimmed to avoid surface coverage.	1 bulb	$10 - $15

Fauna

	Item	Qty	Est. Cost
	Pearl Gourami- Suggest 1 male and 2 females for harmony.	3	$25 - $40
	Rummy Nose Tetra- Wait for the tank to fully cycle; they are sensitive to nitrates.	15	$45 - $60

Setup Guide

Establishing the Valley of Imladris

Day 1

Position cardboard dividers to separate the central path from the planting zones.
Pour ADA Amazonia Ver.2 in the rear and side sections, banking it up to 6-8 inches for depth.
Lay ADA La Plata Sand in the central 'river' path, ensuring it is at least 1-2 inches deep.
Arrange Spiderwood branches to arch over the path, mimicking the gnarled architecture of Elven structures.
Nestle Frodo Stones along the boundary of the sand and soil to create a naturalistic retaining wall.

Tip: Use a small paintbrush to detail the sand path and remove any stray soil granules before filling.

Breathing Life into the Sanctuary

Day 1

Mist the substrate and hardscape thoroughly to keep environment humid.
Apply small dots of aquarium-safe glue to Spiderwood and attach Weeping Moss pads in 'weeping' clusters.
Secure Bucephalandra 'Green Wavy' into the crevices of Frodo Stones, keeping the rhizomes exposed.
Plant Vallisneria Americana in the back corners, using long tweezers to set roots deep in the Amazonia soil.
Place the Red Tiger Lotus bulb in the midground focal point, leaving the top third of the bulb exposed.

Tip: Plant the Vallisneria densely in the corners to create a 'curtain' effect that hides equipment.

Taming the Waters

Weeks 1-4

Fill the tank slowly, using a siphon against a stone to prevent substrate disturbance.
Connect Glass Lily Pipes to the canister filter and engage the CO2 system at 2 bubbles per second.
Set the RGB-UV LED timer to 6 hours per day to prevent early algae blooms.
Perform 50% water changes every 2 days for the first 10 days to combat Ammonia leaching from the active soil.
Monitor water temperature to ensure it remains stable between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tip: If the Red Tiger Lotus sends 'runner' leaves to the surface, trim them immediately to encourage submerged growth.

Arrival of the Lords and Ladies

Month 1.5

Verify that Ammonia and Nitrite levels are consistently at 0ppm via liquid test kit.
Drip acclimate the 15 Rummy Nose Tetras over 60 minutes and release into the mid-water column.
Wait one week, then introduce the 3 Pearl Gouramis as the peaceful centerpiece lords.
Adjust CO2 levels carefully, monitoring the fish for any signs of gasping at the surface.
Increase lighting duration to 8 hours once plants show significant new growth.

Tip: Feed the Pearl Gouramis high-quality flakes and frozen treats to enhance their iridescent 'starry' coloration.

Maintenance Schedule

Daily

Daily Health & Equipment Check

Feed the Pearl Gouramis and Rummy Nose Tetras twice daily. Monitor the CO2 drop checker to ensure it remains a lime green color. Verify the heater is maintaining a steady 78°F to 80°F.

Weekly

Water Change & Sand Path Grooming

Perform a 30-50% water change to manage nutrients from the ADA Amazonia soil. Use a small airline hose to siphon debris off the ADA La Plata Sand path to keep it looking like a pristine Elven walkway.

Foliage & Glass Care

Trim the Red Tiger Lotus lily pads if they reach the surface to encourage bushy submerged growth. Wipe the glass with a soft sponge and clean the glass lily pipes to maintain the clear, ethereal aesthetic.

Bi-Weekly

Macro/Micro Fertilization

Dose liquid fertilizers to support the high-light demands of the Bucephalandra and Weeping Moss, compensating for the high nutrient uptake driven by the CO2 system.

Monthly

Structural Moss Shaping

Perform a major trim of the Weeping Moss on the Spiderwood branches. This prevents the lower layers from rotting and ensures the 'weeping' effect remains defined rather than becoming a dense clump.

System & Substrate Deep Clean

Rinse filter media in old tank water. Inspect the Vallisneria roots to ensure they aren't encroaching too far into the sand path, and pull any runners that have strayed from the background.

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