AQUARIUM HARDSCAPE GUIDE: DRAGON STONE, SEIRYU, SPIDER WOOD & MORE.

Why Hardscape Matters in Aquascaping

Hardscape determines the structure, personality, and long-term stability of an aquarium. Plants grow and change, but the hardscape remains the foundation.

Strong hardscape design provides:

• Depth and perspective through height, layering, and focal points
• Hiding places for shy fish and shrimp
• Terracing for planting slopes or raised areas
• Visual flow that guides the viewer’s eye
• Natural realism that mimics rivers, forests, cliffs, or roots

If you’re new to layout design, see our beginner aquascaping guide before planning your scape.

Choosing the Right Hardscape Material

Different rocks and woods behave differently underwater. Some release minerals, some float at first, and others break apart easily. Each has a place depending on the look and function you want.

Popular Aquarium Hardscape Stones

1. Dragon Stone (Ohko Stone)

• Color: Tan, brown, or olive
• Texture: Soft, detailed, with natural pits
• Tank Type: Perfect for planted tanks
• Water Chemistry: Inert; will not affect pH or KH

Dragon Stone is one of the most beginner-friendly aquascaping stones. Its soft, clay-like surface can be shaped or chiseled easily, and its porous texture blends beautifully with mosses and carpeting plants. It’s lightweight and ideal for Iwagumi-style scapes or nature-style layouts.

Tip: Rinse thoroughly with a brush—Dragon Stone often contains loose clay sediment.

2. Seiryu Stone

• Color: Blue-gray with white veins
• Texture: Rough, dramatic, jagged
• Tank Type: Ideal for high-impact rockscapes
• Water Chemistry: Slightly raises pH and KH

Seiryu Stone is famous for Iwagumi aquascapes. Its sharp lines and white mineral veins create striking contrast. Because it releases carbonates, it is ideal for hard-water plants and livebearer tanks—but not always right for soft-water fish like rasboras or wild bettas.

Tip: Pair with carpeting plants like Monte Carlo or Dwarf Hairgrass to soften sharp edges.

3. Lava Rock

• Color: Red, black, dark brown
• Texture: Porous, lightweight
• Tank Type: Great for planted tanks and filter media
• Water Chemistry: Inert

Lava rock provides excellent surface area for beneficial bacteria and is often used in both scapes and filters. Its rugged, hole-filled texture makes it a perfect anchor for mosses and epiphytes like Anubias or Bucephalandra.

4. River Stone (Smooth Landscaping Rocks)

• Color: Beige, gray, black
• Texture: Smooth, rounded
• Tank Type: Natural stream or minimalist layouts
• Water Chemistry: Inert (test before use)

River stones give tanks a calm, natural look. Their smooth surface contrasts well with textured plants, but they are heavier and harder to stack safely. Always test landscaping stones with vinegar to ensure they’re aquarium-safe.

5. Manten Stone

• Color: Gray-brown, highly detailed
• Use: Premium aquascaping layouts

Manten Stone is prized in high-end nature aquascapes. It’s more expensive but offers unmatched texture, layering, and realism. Ideal for those building dramatic, competition-level layouts.

Popular Aquarium Hardscape Woods

1. Spider Wood (Azalea Root)

• Color: Light tan to orange
• Texture: Branchy, twisted, sprawling
• Best Use: Nature-style and jungle aquascapes

Spider Wood is incredibly expressive. Its chaotic branch structure creates natural shadows and movement that fish love. It pairs beautifully with epiphytes and mosses.

Note: Spider wood floats for 1–3 weeks; soak or weigh it down.

2. Mopani Wood

• Color: Dual-tone dark and light brown
• Texture: Dense, heavy, smooth
• Best Use: Blackwater and biotope tanks

Mopani leaches tannins, creating tea-colored water perfect for tetras, rasboras, apistos, and bettas. Its weight helps anchor plants and prevents floating, but it may develop harmless biofilm at first.

3. Manzanita Wood

• Color: Red-brown
• Texture: Smooth with branching forms
• Best Use: Minimalist or Iwagumi hybrids

Manzanita is lightweight, elegant, and one of the easiest woods to sink. Its clean lines integrate perfectly into modern layouts. Excellent for epoxy-style scapes and moss tying.

4. Driftwood (Natural or Cured)

• Color: Variable—brown, black, or gray
• Texture: Organic and varied
• Best Use: General planted tanks, caves, shrimp habitats

Driftwood is versatile and provides hiding spots, tannins, and attachment points for plants. It works in almost any aquascape style and is a staple in shrimp and betta tanks.

5. Cholla Wood

• Color: Pale honey brown
• Texture: Hollow with natural holes
• Best Use: Shrimp tanks, nano aquariums

Cholla wood decomposes slowly over time, providing biofilm that shrimp love. It’s ideal for small tanks and low-tech setups.

How to Build a Stable Aquascape Layout

Even beautiful rocks and wood won’t shine unless arranged thoughtfully.

1. Use the “Rule of Thirds”

Place your main focal point (a feature stone or wood structure) off-center to create a natural composition.

2. Create Depth With Slope

• Raise substrate toward the back
• Use stone terraces to create height
• Plant smaller plants in front, taller in the back

3. Anchor Wood and Rocks Carefully

Use:

• Aquarium-safe super glue
• Rock wedges
• Drilled holes & zip ties (hidden with moss)

4. Blend Hardscape With Plants

Some of the best hardscape plants include:

• Anubias
• Java Fern
• Bucephalandra
• Christmas Moss, Java Moss

Compatibility and Care Considerations

Different hardscape materials impact fish and water in different ways.

• Seiryu Stone raises pH and KH — avoid with soft-water species.
• Mopani wood lowers pH — great for blackwater setups.
• Lava rock is shrimp-friendly due to biofilm formation.
• Sharp stones may harm bottom-dwellers like corydoras.
• Wood may cause initial biofilm — harmless and temporary.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Using too many types of wood and rock mixed together
• Not securing unstable stones (rockslides are dangerous!)
• Skipping soaking or pre-rinsing wood
• Overcrowding hardscape, leaving little swim room
• Ignoring water chemistry effects of stone choices

Takeaway: Your Hardscape Sets the Stage

The right hardscape transforms a simple tank into a living underwater landscape. Whether you choose Dragon Stone for a natural riverbank look, Seiryu for an iconic Iwagumi layout, or Spider Wood for a dramatic jungle style, your choices guide the entire design and health of your aquarium. With thoughtful planning, stable materials, and balanced planting, your aquascape will thrive for years.

Want help designing your layout? Check out our aquascaping beginners guide to start building a hardscape that truly shines.