The Sunken Skyscraper
JungleIntermediate
The Sunken Skyscraper
"Imagine the silent majesty of a drowned metropolis. This setup uses vertical slate 'towers' and an explosion of mosses to create a hauntingly beautiful underwater canyon. The dark, atmospheric lighting highlights the silver glint of schooling tetras as they navigate through the ruins of a lost world."
Minimum Tank Size
40g Breeder (36x18x16)
Volume
40 gal
Water Parameters
72°F-78°F
7-7.5 pH
Substrate
Active Soil (black)Cosmetic Grey Gravel
Hardscape Components
Black Slate SlabsStacked vertically in three distinct clusters to mimic ruined skyscrapers
Spider WoodIntertwined between slate towers to act as fallen power lines and vines
Fauna Inventory
Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
Fish
15x
Middle water column
Nerite Snail
Invertebrate
4x
Hardscape and glass surfaces
Flora Inventory
Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
Moss
6 portions
Wrapped around vertical stone pillars
Vallisneria Spiralis
Stem
10 individual plants
Background 'skyline'
Anubias Nana Petite
Rhizome
5 small pots
Wedged into rock crevices
The Sunken Skyscraper
Jungle Aquascape Plan
aquascaping.ai
January 15, 2026
"Imagine the silent majesty of a drowned metropolis. This setup uses vertical slate 'towers' and an explosion of mosses to create a hauntingly beautiful underwater canyon. The dark, atmospheric lighting highlights the silver glint of schooling tetras as they navigate through the ruins of a lost world."
Tank40g Breeder (36x18x16) (40 gal)
Parameters72-78°F • pH 7-7.5
DifficultyIntermediate
Fauna
- 15x Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
- 4x Nerite Snail
Flora
- 6 portions Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
- 10 individual plants Vallisneria Spiralis
- 5 small pots Anubias Nana Petite
Shopping List
Tank & Supplies
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Gallon Breeder Aquarium- Standard 36x18x16 dimensions. | 1 | $60.00 - $120.00 | |
| High Turnover Canister Filter- Look for a GPH rating of at least 200-300 for high turnover. | 1 | $150.00 - $250.00 | |
| Dimmable LED Bar with Sunset Simulation- Necessary for the cinematic moody lighting effect. | 1 | $100.00 - $180.00 | |
| Inline Heater- Maintains 72-78F without visual clutter in the tank. | 1 | $50.00 - $80.00 | |
| Active Soil (Black)- Provides nutrients for plants and creates the dark base. | 27-36 Liters | $80.00 - $120.00 | |
| Cosmetic Grey Gravel- Used for detailing the riverbed and skyscraper foundations. | 5 lbs | $15.00 | |
| Cyanoacrylate Gel Glue- Crucial for attaching Anubias and Java Moss to hardscape. | 1 tube | $8.00 |
Hardscape
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Slate Slabs- Select flat pieces that can be stacked safely into vertical towers. | 40-50 lbs | $60.00 - $100.00 | |
| Spider Wood- Look for branching, vine-like pieces to wrap around slate towers. | 3-5 pieces | $40.00 - $70.00 |
Flora
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)- Used for the 'overgrown' ivy effect on pillars. | 6 portions | $30.00 - $45.00 | |
| Vallisneria Spiralis- Background plant to create the skyline curtain effect. | 10 stems | $25.00 - $40.00 | |
| Anubias Nana Petite- Wedge into rock crevices; do not bury the rhizomes. | 5 small pots | $40.00 - $60.00 |
Fauna
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Neon Tetra- Introduce only after the tank is fully cycled. | 15 | $30.00 - $45.00 | |
| Nerite Snail- Excellent for keeping the slate towers free of algae. | 4 | $12.00 - $20.00 |
Setup Guide
Architectural Skeletals
Day 1 (Morning)- Clean the 40g breeder glass with vinegar and water.
- Lay a 2-3 inch base of Black Active Soil toward the rear and sides, keeping the center and foreground for Cosmetic Grey Gravel.
- Stack the Black Slate Slabs into three distinct vertical towers of varying heights to mimic ruins.
- Use aquarium-safe epoxy or cyanoacrylate gel between slate layers to ensure the 'skyscrapers' are structurally sound.
- Intertwine Spider Wood between the slate towers to simulate fallen debris and vines.
Tip: Place egg crate or a thin layer of foam under the heavy slate towers to prevent point-pressure on the bottom glass.
The Overgrowth Begins
Day 1 (Afternoon)- Moisten the substrate and hardscape with a spray bottle.
- Apply small dabs of cyanoacrylate gel to the Spider Wood and Slate to attach 6 portions of Java Moss.
- Wedge 5 pots of Anubias Nana Petite into the crevices between the slate slabs, ensuring rhizomes are not buried.
- Plant 10 Vallisneria Spiralis into the deep soil at the very back of the tank to create a vertical 'skyline' effect.
- Slowly fill the tank with dechlorinated water using a bowl or plastic wrap to prevent substrate disturbance.
Tip: Keep the Vallisneria crowns slightly above the soil line to prevent rot; they will spread via runners over time.
Bio-Filtration & Stabilization
Weeks 1-4- Run the canister filter 24/7 and set the inline heater to 75°F.
- Set the dimmable LED to a 6-hour photoperiod to start, gradually increasing intensity.
- Perform 50% water changes every 2-3 days for the first week to remove excess ammonia from the active soil.
- Monitor parameters using a liquid test kit until Ammonia and Nitrite levels stay at 0ppm.
Tip: Since this is a dark-themed tank, keep the LED intensity lower (50-60%) to prevent algae while the plants establish.
Inhabitants of the Sunken City
Month 1+- Introduce the 4 Nerite Snails first to manage initial biofilm on the wood and slate.
- One week later, drip acclimate the 15 Black Neon Tetras over a 60-minute period.
- Observe schooling behavior; ensure the tetras are navigating the 'canyons' between the slate towers.
- Maintain a weekly water change schedule of 20-30% to keep nitrate levels low.
Tip: Feed high-quality flake or frozen foods to the Black Neon Tetras to enhance their silver lateral stripe against the dark hardscape.
Maintenance Schedule
Daily
Nutrition and Vitality Check
Feed the Black Neon Tetras small amounts of high-quality flake or micro-pellet food. Observe the 15 tetras for schooling behavior and ensure the Nerite Snails are active. Verify the inline heater is maintaining a stable temperature of 75°F and the canister filter is flowing strongly.
Weekly
Water Change and Glass Cleaning
Perform a 25-30% water change using a dechlorinator. Use a soft algae scraper to clean the glass surfaces, taking care not to disturb the Nerite Snails. Dose a comprehensive liquid fertilizer to support the Java Moss and Anubias which draw nutrients from the water column.
Moss and Vine Grooming
Prune the Java Moss wrapped around the slate towers to prevent it from becoming too thick and detaching. Ensure the 'overgrown' look remains defined so the 'skyscraper' shapes are still visible. Check that the Anubias rhizomes remain above the substrate.
Monthly
Canister Filter Maintenance
Rinse the canister filter sponges and biological media in a bucket of aquarium water (never tap water) to remove debris while preserving beneficial bacteria. Check the hoses for any biofilm buildup that might reduce the high turnover rate required for this 40g setup.
Vallisneria and Substrate Care
Trim the Vallisneria Spiralis 'skyline' by removing older, damaged outer leaves. Siphon any visible detritus from the Cosmetic Grey Gravel paths using a small gravel vacuum. Check the Active Soil area and insert root tabs near the Vallisneria if growth seems to be slowing.
Generated by Fish Advisor AI