Scapelight - Pocket Scapes
Small in size but huge in creative potential—nano aquariums are some of the most versatile and popular tank sizes in the aquascaping hobby. Their compact size makes them great for small spaces and if that isn’t a concern, the more the merrier! Don’t mistake their size for limitation. Nano tanks offer a unique opportunity to experiment with different aquascape layouts, aquatic plants, and combinations of each on a manageable scale.

UNS 5N
Nano Nature
We turned our first nano scape into a dining table series and this nature-style aquascape marked the third and final evolution! Situated in the Ultum Nature Systems 5N 4.6G rimless tank, we grew and kept a lot of the same aquatic plants. The most notable change was the swap of our main hardscape from Spider Wood to Pacific Driftwood, followed by an uproot of the original carpet. With a new Marsilea aquarium carpet and rearrangement of epiphytes, the final composition remained familiar but refreshing… just like nature!
Tank Dimensions: 14.17 x 8.66 x 8.66”
Plants Used: Staurogyne Repens, Ludwigia Natans, Marsilea sp., Anubias sp.
Hardscape: Pacific Driftwood
Substrate: Aquario Neo Soil






UNS 5N
Nano Peaks
Yama Mini is an Iwagumi aquascape housed in the same UNS 5N tank. We find that when we're working with large tanks for extended periods, coming back to a nano aquarium feels right. This layout utilized one of our favorite hardscape materials—Manten Stone. Trying to stack rocks in a small space and achieve a miniature mountain range rather than a "pile of rocks" requires more effort than one might think. We completed the look with simple plants for a “less is more” approach, because the scape itself required a chunk of creative mojo.
Tank Dimensions: 14.17 x 8.66 x 8.66”
Plants Used: Hemianthus Callitrichoides ‘Cuba’, Eleocharis Parvula ‘Mini’, Riccia Fluitans
Hardscape: Manten Stone
Substrate: Tropica Aquarium Soil






UNS 3N
Nano Oasis
A tad smaller but still impactful, this easy Betta fish aquarium came to life in an Ultum Nature Systems 3N nano tank. The layout featured two mounds of Pacific Driftwood planted with a variety of live aquatic plants for enrichment and cover. Heavy plant mass also helped muffle the flow, creating gentler waters for our Betta. Although simple, there's something special about watching the different leaf textures intertwine and evolve naturally over time. We still get questions about this setup to this day!
Tank Dimensions: 12.20 x 7.48 x 7.48”
Plants Used: Phyllanthus Fluitans (Red Root Floaters), Hygrophila Pinnatifida, Mini Christmas Moss, Bolbitis Difformis ‘Mini’, Hydrocotyle Tripartita, Potamogeton Gayi, Echinodorus sp. Tenellus, Anubias sp., Bucephalandra sp.
Hardscape: Pacific Driftwood
Substrate: UNS Controsoil, Fine Natural Sand




Nano aquariums prove you don’t need a large tank to create something really cool. If you're new around here or a long-time scaper looking for your next setup, consider one of these. They're perfect for testing the waters—and they fit just about anywhere.