So I’ve been scrolling through aquascaping Instagram again (productive use of my evening, obviously) and kept seeing these incredible setups with these twisty, branch-like structures that looked like underwater trees. Turns out they’re mangrove roots, and honestly? I was immediately obsessed. My 6-gallon cube was looking pretty basic with just some rocks and standard plants, and I figured adding some of these dramatic root structures might give it that “wow factor” I’d been missing.
Let me tell you right off the bat – this was way more complicated than I expected. Like most things in this hobby, what looks effortless in those perfectly lit Instagram photos is actually the result of a lot of trial and error (and in my case, some spectacular mistakes that I’ll get into).
I started researching mangrove roots because I’m that person who falls down rabbit holes about everything. Found out that these aren’t actually from mangrove trees most of the time – they’re usually spider root or other types of wood that just happen to have that cool, twisted mangrove-like appearance. The real deal can be pretty expensive, and honestly, for a nano tank setup, the alternatives work just as well and cost way less.
My first attempt at buying these things was… well, let’s call it educational. I ordered what I thought was a reasonably sized piece online for about twenty bucks. When it arrived, this thing was massive. Like, it could have been the centerpiece for a 75-gallon tank, not my little desktop cube. I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to figure out how to fit this giant wooden sculpture into my tiny tank before accepting that I’d need to either return it or find smaller pieces.
Ended up going to my local fish store – you know, the one where the guy talked me out of buying unnecessary equipment when I first started. Told him about my mangrove root situation and he just laughed. Apparently I’m not the first person to massively overestimate sizing when ordering hardscape online. He had a selection of smaller pieces that were way more appropriate for nano tanks, and I picked out two pieces that looked like they’d create an interesting composition without completely taking over the tank.
Here’s where I made my first real mistake, and it was a doozy. I was so excited to get these roots into my tank that I just… put them in. Didn’t prep them, didn’t research proper procedure, just plopped them into my carefully balanced ecosystem like some kind of aquascaping amateur. Within 24 hours, my crystal clear water looked like weak tea. The roots had released so many tannins that I couldn’t even see my fish properly.
My cherry shrimp seemed fine with the tannin situation – actually, they probably loved it since it’s more natural for them – but the visual effect was not what I was going for. I’d spent months getting my tank to look clean and bright, and now it looked like someone had dumped a bunch of old tea bags in there. My boyfriend walked into the kitchen, looked at the tank, and just said “What happened to your fish bowl?” which was not the reaction I was hoping for.
So I had to do what I should have done in the first place: research proper preparation. Turns out you’re supposed to boil these things for hours, then soak them for days or even weeks to get all the tannins out. Some people actually like the tannin effect – it’s called a blackwater setup and apparently replicates natural river conditions – but that wasn’t the look I was going for in my bright, planted tank.
I pulled the roots out (fish were probably confused about their suddenly changing environment) and started the proper prep process. Boiled them for about three hours, which made my entire apartment smell like… well, like boiling wood. Not unpleasant exactly, but definitely noticeable. My upstairs neighbor actually asked if I was cooking something unusual. Then I stuck them in a big plastic container and soaked them for two weeks, changing the water every couple days as it kept turning brown.
While I was waiting for the tannins to leach out, I spent way too much time watching aquascaping videos and trying to figure out how I actually wanted to arrange these things. There’s this whole art to positioning hardscape that I’d never really thought about before. You want to create visual flow, lead the eye through the tank, establish focal points – it’s like interior design but underwater and in a space the size of a shoebox.
I sketched out a few different layouts (yes, I actually drew pictures of aquarium arrangements, my life has come to this) and settled on positioning the larger root piece slightly off-center with the smaller piece creating a secondary focal point. The idea was to create depth and make the tank look bigger than it actually is. Whether this worked or just exists in my imagination is still up for debate.
Getting the positioning right was honestly harder than I expected. These roots are irregular shapes, so they don’t just sit where you put them – they roll, tip over, don’t sit flush against the substrate. I ended up partially burying the bases in my aquasoil and using some small stones to wedge them into position. It took probably an hour of adjusting and readjusting to get them stable and positioned the way I wanted.
The plant placement around the roots required some rethinking too. I’d originally had my Anubias attached to rocks, but they looked better attached to the roots themselves. Used some fishing line to tie them on, which is apparently the standard technique even though it looks ridiculous during the attachment process. The Anubias actually love growing on wood, and after a few months they’ve attached themselves naturally and started spreading.
I moved my taller plants – some Vallisneria and a couple stems of rotala – to the background area to create depth behind the root structure. The roots kind of divide my tank into different zones now, which gives my fish more interesting territories to explore. My neon tetras love swimming in and out of the root branches, and my Otocinclus catfish have claimed the wood as their main hangout spot.
Water changes became a bit more complicated with the roots in there. I have to be more careful with the siphon to avoid disturbing the plant attachments, and there are more nooks and crannies where debris can collect. I’ve gotten better at directing my vacuum around the root structure, but it definitely takes longer to clean the tank thoroughly now.
The roots have also created some interesting algae management challenges. The complex surface area gives algae more places to grow, especially in spots where the flow isn’t as strong. I’ve had to be more diligent about spot-treating with a toothbrush during water changes, and I added a second small powerhead to improve circulation around the hardscape.
But honestly? The visual impact was worth the extra maintenance. The roots add this incredible sense of scale and natural complexity that my tank was missing before. It went from looking like a nice planted tank to looking like a tiny slice of some exotic underwater forest. When people see it now, they actually stop and stare for a minute instead of just glancing over.
I’ve been running this setup for about eight months now, and the roots have developed this gorgeous patina. They’ve darkened slightly and developed some biofilm that the fish love to graze on. The Anubias I attached have grown significantly and created these lush clusters of green against the brown wood. It looks way more established and natural than my previous hardscape attempts.
If you’re thinking about trying mangrove roots in a nano setup, just budget extra time for preparation and don’t skip the boiling and soaking process like I did. Also, think carefully about sizing – it’s really easy to go too big and overwhelm a small tank. But if you get it right, the visual payoff is incredible. It’s probably one of the most dramatic improvements I’ve made to any of my tanks, and it’s inspired me to experiment more with natural hardscape in my other setups.
Next project might be attempting a full root-based layout in my 10-gallon, but that’s still in the planning stages. For now, I’m just enjoying watching my fish explore their underwater forest.
Priya proves aquascaping doesn’t need deep pockets or big spaces. From her San Jose apartment, she experiments with thrifted tanks, easy plants, and clever hacks that keep the hobby affordable. Expect honest lessons, DIY tips, and a lot of shrimp in tiny jars.
