Scape your mental health with Anthony Bui

The concept of “bringing nature home” known as “aquascape” was earliest discovered in the 1930s. Since then, the art of aquascaping has evolved tremendously pushing boundaries and making major leaps leading to fascinating discoveries and creations. 

Independent artists have gone far and beyond to encapsulate the essence of aquariums into the canvas of a glass tank. The possibilities are endless as artists are always finding new ways to push design and functionality of aquascaping. 

Aquascaping breathes life into its audience, yet its wonders are breath taking. It creates a sense of peace and calm, stimulating the mind and improving one’s mental health—an important topic in today’s society. Anyone who has had the privilege of personally viewing or owning a tank can vouch for the great experience it provides. As an artist, my endeavour is to reach a wider audience and showcase the beauty of this niche hobby. 

One of the joys of aquascaping is its ability to tap deep into your inner creativity. It's a very unique form of art which can highly stimulate the brain. You’ll work on problem solving skills, as there is no set rule on how to scape and you’ll learn a lot on your own as you go. Aquascaping really encourages creative thinking and expands the horizons of your imagination, allowing you to think outside the box and reimagine life underwater

Aquascaping can be a game of patience. Sometimes, progress and results may not show for weeks or months, but when they do, you feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. The journey can be very gratifying, and the end-goal can be a great dose of dopamine. Often times, we forget how to uplift our spirits, and this hobby can be an amazing way to do just that—so say goodbye to seasonal depression!

However, there is a lot of work after building your aquarium, and a process you can’t skip is the the maintenance. This side of the hobby is the most labour intensive part, but it can be highly therapeutic and for some a substitute for meditation. Maintenance doesn’t have to feel like work; start off by turning off your filter and set the mood by playing music in the background to get yourself prepared.

 Personally, I really enjoy the process of trimming. There is something satisfying about seeing bits of plants slowly float to the surface and I’m sure many will agree as there is huge audience that enjoys watching maintenance videos. Overall, it is more relaxing than work if the process is managed correctly. 

After a maintenance, you’ll see a change in the habitants’ quality of life, which is a satisfaction within maintenance itself. Plants will pearl tiny little bubbles, fish will notably appear happier and be more active, and of course your water will be crystal clear. There is never a dull moment in the aquarium, and getting hands on is just another way of enjoying this hobby at a more intimate level.

Observing nature in the comfort of your own home or workspace (office) is a great way to reset yourself. After a long and potentially stressful day, coming home to an aquarium is something to look forward to. Watching nature in a glass box is an enormous stress reliever, which simultaneously decreases anxiety. Sometimes we just need a brain break and find ways to reset ourselves so we can regain our train of thought and tentative focus. 

Going for a walk and getting some fresh air is a common practice to doing so, but having the opportunity to immerse yourself in an aquascape is a method of relaxing that many aren’t aware about. Getting lost in an aquascape can be very meditative. The life inside never stops, and with a well-stocked tank there is a lot of diversity to keep you well entertained. The peacefulness of an aquarium is very contagious, and you’ll find yourself at peace not too long after viewing.