Fishkeeping and Aquaculture
Detailing some personal aquatic projects including some freshwater aquascapes. Also includes some of my pursuits from my professional time at OSA aquarium superstore.
Why Aquascaping and Fishkeeping?
Aquascaping is not exactly the first thing people expect to see on an engineering-focused portfolio, which is fair. It is mostly plants, rocks, fish, water, and me pretending I have control over nature.
But it also has a lot in common with engineering. A good tank depends on planning, balance, constraints, and systems thinking. Lighting, filtration, water chemistry, plant growth, hardscape layout, flow, and long-term maintenance all have to work together. If one part fails, the whole system lets you know immediately and usually in the form of algae.
I include these projects because they show how I think through complex systems outside of a classroom. Aquascaping forces me to design with both function and aesthetics in mind, solve problems before they become disasters, and build something that can actually sustain itself over time. Which, unfortunately, is very engineering-coded.
My Best Freshwater Aquascape
Designed and maintained a planted freshwater aquarium with careful attention to hardscape balance, plant health, and overall composition to create a natural, visually cohesive scape.
Nitrate Testing and Monitoring
Tracked nitrate levels as part of routine aquarium maintenance, using water testing to better understand nutrient buildup, system balance, and overall aquatic health.
Large Aquatic Plant Shipment
Helped process and organize a large shipment of aquatic plants at my aquarium job, handling plant identification, condition checks, and preparation for healthy display and sale.
Box Tank Aquascape
Created an aquascape for a box-style aquarium with a focus on depth, clean layout, and plant placement that worked with the tank’s compact, structured shape.