The UNS Shallow Reef System R90 is finally ready for its first livestock! In Episode 2, Parker is checking on the reef tank after cycling, adding our first corals and clownfish pair, and continuing to set up this saltwater aquarium for long-term growth.

He adds Montipora, Green Slimers, and more while going over coral placement, PAR, future coral growth, and reef tank stocking. We also add Chaeto to the refugium and install a 4-part dosing system to help maintain the reef aquarium as the corals grow.

Follow along with this UNS R90 Shallow reef tank build as we continue adding corals, fish, and equipment in future updates.

Learn more about the UNS Reef Systems: https://ultumnaturesystems.com/full-reef-system/

Follow us on social!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultumnaturesystems/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultumnaturesystems/

This video is private.

In this guide, we demonstrate how to set up the UNS Micro CO2 Regulator with a larger CO2 cylinder, making it easy to transition from a smaller CO2 setup to a larger aquarium CO2 system.

This UNS Micro CO2 Regulator CGA-320 / W21.8 Adapter Kit Guide demonstrates the installation using the CGA-320 connection. The same setup instructions apply to the W21.8 adapter, so you can use the connection that matches your CO2 cylinder.

If you’re upgrading your planted aquarium CO2 system, switching to a larger CO2 tank, or looking for a way to connect your UNS Micro CO2 Regulator to a standard CO2 cylinder, this video walks through the basic setup.

Learn more about the UNS CO2 System: https://ultumnaturesystems.com/full-reef-system/

Follow us on social!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultumnaturesystems/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultumnaturesystems/

John completes his UNS 90L 90cm planted tank by building out a classic nature style aquarium using a mix of colorful stem plants and low-growing foreground plants.

This long aquarium features a unique frosted blue background and white-painted glass bottom, creating a bright contrast with the black tank mat and natural hardscape. For the aquarium planting, we start with Dwarf Hair Grass Mini and Monte Carlo in the foreground, then work our way through the midground and background with a variety of colorful aquarium plants.

A major focus of this planted tank is color and contrast. He uses several fast-growing aquarium plants, including multiple Rotala and Ludwigia varieties, to create different leaf shapes, textures, and shades of red throughout the aquascape.

Follow along as John plants the UNS 90L from foreground to background, experiments with different plant combinations, and sees how this planted aquarium develops over time.

Learn more about the UNS Blue Background Aquariums: https://ultumnaturesystems.com/rimless-glass-tanks/

Follow us on social!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultumnaturesystems/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultumnaturesystems/

Watch the hardscape process behind a limited-edition UNS 90L Blue Background Aquarium featuring a new semi-transparent background.

For this aquascape, John uses Horn Wood, a dark, branchy driftwood. The goal is to take advantage of the full length of the UNS 90L while creating multiple focal points, negative space, and dedicated areas for foreground, midground, and background plants.

In this aquascaping build, we walk through the process of planning and arranging a large driftwood hardscape outside of the aquarium, then breaking it into modular sections.

A major focus of this UNS 90L aquascape is creating balance across the entire length of the tank. Rather than concentrating the hardscape in one area, the layout uses two main wood “mountains” with a dominant focal point and a smaller secondary mound, leaving open spaces for planting and allowing the hardscape to gradually disappear as the plants grow in.

We’ll also take a closer look at the new blue background and how its semi-transparent finish changes depending on the angle and lighting. To finish things off, we’ll add an Atmos LED Background to show how the color shifts and creates different gradients across the back panel.

If you’re into planted aquariums, aquarium hardscape, driftwood aquascapes, UNS aquariums, or looking for inspiration for your next aquascape, follow along as we build this 90cm planted tank from the hardscape up.

How would you plant this UNS 90L? Let us know in the comments.

This video is private.

Experience the full transformation of the UNS Reef System R150 Peninsula in this cinematic highlight of episodes 1–3. This video showcases the complete process of aquascaping a freshwater aquarium in a reef system, starting with the initial hardscape picking and layout creation process, before moving on to plumbing and planting,

Built to be viewed from three sides, this peninsula aquarium features oversized Ghost Wood, carefully designed planting areas, layered substrate, custom plumbing, and a diverse selection of aquatic plants. Watch the entire build come together through a cinematic look at the details, scale, and craftsmanship behind this large-scale aquascape.

Learn more about the UNS Reef Systems: https://ultumnaturesystems.com/full-reef-system/

Follow us on social!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultumnaturesystems/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultumnaturesystems/

In this video, Parker and John are planting a UNS Reef System R150 Peninsula, continuing the transformation of this limited-edition rimless reef tank into a nature style planted aquascape.

With the hardscape and plumbing complete, the focus shifts to planting. We’ll walk through how the planting areas were designed for a peninsula aquarium, including the placement of taller lilies and stem plants, midground transitions, foreground aquatic plants, and detailed epiphytes such as Anubias Pinto.

The planting uses a wide range of colors, textures, and growth forms, including Rotala, Limnophila, Ludwigia, Mayaca, Cyperus Helferi, Hydrocotyle, Monte Carlo, Helanthium Tenellum, and Umbrella Hair Grass. We’ll also cover planting techniques for bulbs and delicate plants, how to create height and transitions between planting areas, and why flow around the roots can matter as plants establish.

Once planting is finished, we’ll review the full freshwater aquascape, including aquarium lighting, CO2 accessories, and more.

Learn more about UNS Aquatic Plants: https://ultumnaturesystems.com/aquatic-plants/

Follow us on social!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultumnaturesystems/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultumnaturesystems/

On day 3 of this UNS Reef System R150 Peninsula build, Parker and John move on from hardscaping to plumbing.

After taking the time to fine-tune the hardscape for a tank that will be viewed from three sides, we reveal the finished layout before getting into the plumbing. We’ll walk through the installation of the main drain, emergency drain, and return plumbing, while covering the proper placement of bulkheads, gaskets, O-rings, unions, and valves along the way.

With the plumbing in place, the tank is one step closer to becoming a massive freshwater aquascape. Next, we’ll move on to planting, lighting, equipment, and setting up the sump and refugium.

Follow along as we continue transforming this limited-edition UNS Reef System R150 Peninsula into a large-scale nature aquarium.