The Crimson Canopy Canyon
OtherIntermediate
The Crimson Canopy Canyon
"Ditch the CO2 without sacrificing the drama. This plan combines the fiery red of Ludwigia 'Super Red' with the deep, architectural greens of a Christmas Moss canopy. Watching a dozen Chili Rasboras weave through the spiderwood branches like living embers is a visual experience unlike any other. It is the perfect blend of high-end aesthetics and manageable care, specifically tailored for your Oase and Chihiros hardware."
Minimum Tank Size
UNS 60U (24x14x14)
Volume
20 gal
Water Parameters
72°F-79°F
6.5-7 pH
Substrate
Active Soil (Black)Cosmetic Sand (Tan/Natural)
Hardscape Components
Spiderwood TreeRight side dominant focal point
Black Lava RockCanyon formation along the sand path
Fauna Inventory
Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae)
Rasbora
12x
Middle to upper water column
Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)
Gourami
2x
Upper water column
Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
Invertebrate
5x
Throughout the hardscape and plants
Otocinclus Catfish
Catfish
3x
Glass and plant leaves
Flora Inventory
Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei)
Moss
3 portions
Tied to spiderwood branches to form a dense tree canopy
Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red'
Stem
2 pots
Left foreground and midground corner
Bucephalandra 'Godzilla'
Epiphyte
4 rhizomes
Attached to black lava rocks along the path
Vallisneria Nana
Stolon
5 nodes
Background right behind the spiderwood
The Crimson Canopy Canyon
Other Aquascape Plan
aquascaping.ai
January 15, 2026
"Ditch the CO2 without sacrificing the drama. This plan combines the fiery red of Ludwigia 'Super Red' with the deep, architectural greens of a Christmas Moss canopy. Watching a dozen Chili Rasboras weave through the spiderwood branches like living embers is a visual experience unlike any other. It is the perfect blend of high-end aesthetics and manageable care, specifically tailored for your Oase and Chihiros hardware."
TankUNS 60U (24x14x14) (20 gal)
Parameters72-79°F • pH 6.5-7
DifficultyIntermediate
Fauna
- 12x Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae)
- 2x Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)
- 5x Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
- 3x Otocinclus Catfish
Flora
- 3 portions Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei)
- 2 pots Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red'
- 4 rhizomes Bucephalandra 'Godzilla'
- 5 nodes Vallisneria Nana
Shopping List
Tank & Supplies
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNS 60U Aquarium (20 Gallon)- Ultra-clear rimless glass tank already in possession. | 1 | $160.00 | |
| Oase FiltoSmart Thermo 100- External canister filter with integrated heater already in possession. | 1 | $140.00 | |
| Chihiros RGBII Slim LED- High-output light capable of maintaining reds in Ludwigia. | 1 | $120.00 | |
| Active Aquarium Soil (Black)- Nutrient-rich substrate already placed in the hardscape. | 9L Bag | $45.00 | |
| Cosmetic Sand (Tan/Natural)- Center path sand already placed. | 2kg | $15.00 | |
| All-in-One Liquid Fertilizer- Required for plant health in a low-CO2 environment. | 500ml | $25.00 | |
| Cyanoacrylate Super Glue Gel- Needed to attach Christmas Moss to the spiderwood and Bucephalandra to rocks. | 1 pack | $8.00 |
Hardscape
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spiderwood Tree Focal Piece- Large multi-branched piece already positioned. | 1 | $40.00 | |
| Black Lava Rock- Porous rock used for canyon formation already positioned. | 5-7kg | $30.00 |
Flora
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei)- Used to create the dense canopy on the spiderwood branches. | 3 portions | $30.00 | |
| Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red'- To be planted in the left corner for high-contrast red foliage. | 2 pots | $20.00 | |
| Bucephalandra 'Godzilla'- Hardy epiphyte for detail work on the lava rocks. | 4 rhizomes | $48.00 | |
| Vallisneria Nana- Background plant for a vertical grass-like effect. | 5 nodes | $15.00 |
Fauna
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae)- Main schooling fish; vibrant red nano species. | 12 | $60.00 | |
| Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)- Centerpiece pair; yellow color pops against the red plants. | 2 | $16.00 | |
| Amano Shrimp- Essential cleanup crew for moss maintenance. | 5 | $25.00 | |
| Otocinclus Catfish- Dwarf algae eaters to keep the lava rock and glass clean. | 3 | $15.00 |
Setup Guide
Canyon & Substrate Layout
Day 1- Place the Black Lava Rocks to create a central 'V' shaped canyon path leading towards the back right.
- Add the Active Soil to the back corners and the left foreground area, ensuring it is sloped higher toward the back for depth.
- Pour the Cosmetic Sand into the central path between the lava rocks.
- Position the Spiderwood Tree on the right side so its branches reach over the sand path.
- Use small pieces of lava rock or filter floss to plug any gaps between the rocks and soil to prevent 'soil creep' into the sand.
Tip: Wet the sand slightly before adding it to help it stay in place while you refine the transition between soil and sand.
Creating the Moss Canopy
Day 1- Use aquarium-safe super glue gel to attach small tufts of Christmas Moss to the upper branches of the spiderwood.
- Plant the Ludwigia 'Super Red' stems in the left foreground soil corner, spacing them about an inch apart to allow light penetration.
- Glue the Bucephalandra 'Godzilla' rhizomes onto the lava rocks near the sand path.
- Plant the Vallisneria Nana in the deep soil behind the spiderwood tree.
- Mist all plants with water frequently while filling the tank slowly using a plastic bag to prevent substrate disturbance.
Tip: Keep the Christmas Moss tufts small; they will grow into each other to create a much denser 'cloud' effect than starting with large clumps.
Establishing the Ecosystem
Weeks 1-3- Set the Oase FiltoSmart heater to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and run the filter 24/7.
- Set the Chihiros RGBII Slim to 50% intensity for 6 hours a day to prevent early algae blooms.
- Perform 50% water changes every 2-3 days during the first week to remove excess nutrients from the new soil.
- Dose a small amount of liquid fertilizer after each water change to support the Ludwigia and Vallisneria.
- Test for Ammonia and Nitrite levels regularly until they both read 0 ppm.
Tip: Low-tech tanks need patience; don't be tempted to increase the light intensity until you see new growth on the Ludwigia.
Adding the Residents
Month 1+- Introduce the 5 Amano Shrimp first once the cycle is complete to clean any initial biofilm off the spiderwood.
- After one week, add the 12 Chili Rasboras using a slow drip-acclimation process.
- Add the 2 Honey Gouramis once the rasboras have settled and are feeding well.
- Finally, add the 3 Otocinclus Catfish once there is visible algae or biofilm growth on the glass or rocks.
Tip: Honey Gouramis are top-dwellers; ensure your filter outlet isn't creating so much surface agitation that they struggle to swim or build bubble nests.
Maintenance Schedule
Daily
Feeding & Health Check
Feed the Chili Rasboras and Honey Gouramis high-quality micro-foods. Ensure the Oase FiltoSmart heater is maintaining a stable temperature between 75-78°F and check for active behavior in the nano fish.
Weekly
Water Change & Fertilization
Perform a 20-30% water change with dechlorinated water. Add your liquid all-in-one fertilizer to maintain the vibrant color of the Ludwigia 'Super Red' and the health of the moss canopy.
Glass & Hardscape Scrub
Wipe down the glass with an algae scraper. Use a soft toothbrush to gently clean any biofilm or algae from the black lava rocks and the spiderwood trunk to keep the 'canyon' looking pristine.
Bi-Weekly
Shape the Moss Tree Canopy
Use curved aquascaping scissors to trim the Christmas Moss. Keeping the moss layers short ensures the bottom layers don't die off and maintains the dense 'forest tree' aesthetic you requested.
Monthly
Oase FiltoSmart Maintenance
Rinse the filter sponges in a bucket of aquarium water (never tap) to preserve beneficial bacteria. Check the impeller for debris to ensure consistent flow for the Otocinclus and Rasboras.
Sand Path & Stem Maintenance
Use a small siphon to remove debris from the tan cosmetic sand path. Propagage the Ludwigia 'Super Red' by cutting the tops and replanting them into the black soil to increase the density of the left corner.
Generated by Fish Advisor AI