Alright, you’ve probably read Part I of how to aquascape with AI and you’re ready to continue. Keep reading to learn more.
Duplicating the Background Color
The generated aquascapes you see will have a colored background – one that contributes to the overall aesthetic. So how do you apply that particular color scheme to your real-world build? Keep reading to find out.
The background will either be an illuminated background (more on that below) or a painted one. The Iwagumi scape on the left has an illuminated background. The Flooded Forest on the right is a painted one.
An illuminated background can stand in for both kinds while paint can only replicate a painted background.
How To Replicate a Painted Background
The painted background is the cheaper of the two, but is less flexible. Changing it requires the old one to be removed and a new one to be selected and applied.
To get started, head on over to ImageColorPicker. Upload your scape or use the on-screen option and click on the pixel that you think best represents the background color. Keep in mind that your scape will simulate external lighting and have a proportionate amount of shading to go with it, so it’s best not to select an area that’s not directly illuminated or shaded. Once you’ve done that, the site will generate a sample and set of color codes. The codes are just different alphanumerical ways of mathematically expressing the same thing and may come in handy later, particularly the RGB.
From there, you have a few different ways to go about finding a good paint match.
1. I found it best to print out a sample for comparison. Trying to match off of my phone steered me towards samples that I could tell were just too dark. It was just easier to compare two paper samples than a paper sample and a screen. Either way, it won’t hurt to have both on hand. Have your sample(s) ready and head on over to the paint store of your choice. Compare with the swatches they have on hand. It’s highly unlikely they’ll have an exact match, but you should be able to find one that’s really close. If not, you may have to shop around some more.
If you get stuck on something that’s close but not quite right and you’re not sure in which direction to go, take a look at your RGB (Red Green Blue) code. They’re numbered from 0-250. If you’re in the ballpark, the code can point you in the right direction. For example, those numbers can tell you that tricky red shade has a bit of blue in it, so maybe you should look for something more purple. Or that gray has a good amount of green mixed in, so look for more of a gray-green color. See what I mean?
It’s ok if you don’t find a perfect match. Honestly, you really don’t need to. You’ll likely find one that is so close that you’ll barely be able to notice the difference and it won’t hurt your tank’s aesthetic (and no one else will know the difference.) A 7.25 fl oz/214ml sample size should be enough for two 40-gallon aquariums.
If you want to do a bit of research ahead of time to narrow your options before you start pounding pavement, head on over to EasyRGB and use their “Match Color Data to Commercial Colors” feature. Just put in your RGB code and it will show you the closest match available from a range of paint manufacturers, including those available at big-box home improvement stores.
2. Another less scientific, although still effective way of solving the problem is just to have a good picture of it in your head and inspect the available swatches to select the one that looks right. This method will allow you to account for the nuances and subtleties of your future scape, a capability that’s tough for a color picker to replicate.
Once you’ve found your match, it’s a good idea to see if they can add some black pigment to darken it a little bit. Once under your bright aquarium lights, the color will appear lighter than it seems under normal illumination and taking this step will help make sure it looks as expected in your tank. Or, just get a small tube of black paint and mix in a little at a time until it’s been darkened enough to compensate for your lights.
3. If none of these methods get you the results you’re looking for, head over to MyPerfectColor and put your code into their matcher. I recommend you use ImageColorPicker at the above link, and go to their “Variants” feature to get the code for your selection with 20% shade for the above-mentioned reason. This option is a bit pricey, but it’s the best way to get a no-hassle match the first time, that’s as close to perfect as modern technology can get. Get the spray can for easy application.
When getting ready to pick the right paint, just keep in mind that:
- The process is more of an art than a science and getting the results you’re looking for may take more than one try.
- Interpretation is very subjective – yours may be different from others
- There is no way to exactly replicate the colors on your screen. It really is a matter of just finding the closest match you can.
- No local paint vendor can duplicate it from your phone screen, a printout or even a code. They can only make duplications from existing physical samples.
- Due to the nuances of technology, a given color will look slightly different on every screen
- The same applies to printers – a result printed on one printer will not be identical to another printer or your device’s screen.
- Paint swatches are printed with a flat finish. Your phone’s screen is, for all intents and purposes, a glossy finish. Take care to adjust for that when comparing the two.
Oh, and remember, paint the outside of the aquarium – paint is unsuitable for use below the waterline and will poison the water as it disintegrates. The finish (glossy, matte, flat, etc) doesn’t matter because it all looks the same when viewed through the back glass of the aquarium.
Using an Illuminated Background
Setting one up isn’t difficult – you can buy off-the-shelf panels that simply clip to the back of the tank and have lots of customization options that will allow you to complete your look. LED bars or strips mounted behind the tank can also be used. There are lots of videos and articles for DIY solutions which can easily be done, even by feisty first-timers.
Illuminated backgrounds are more expensive than paint, but offer more flexibility and customization, allowing you to change the look at will. You can also combine multiple elements, allowing for two-tone, sunset effects and more.
If you don’t like the background you got, feel free to check out the scapes for the various styles on the Generate page and see if one suits you. You can then use everything you just learned to implement it on your own tank.
Re-Creating the Title Aquascape
Here is a breakdown of the title image. Note that not every plant is labeled as some can be excluded without negatively affecting the aesthetic (like that weird yellow clump on the right), thereby keeping things straightforward (and allowing you to not sweat the small stuff.) There are literally hundreds of species of plants available in the hobby and the ones selected in this analysis represent just one of many ways this scape can be built. The paint color chart is shown below. You could also use an LED panel with a combination of blue and white for a more dramatic finish.
Generate your own AI-style aquascape here
- Hemianthus Callitrichoides’ small leaf size and short, carpeting growth will work nicely here
- Ludwigia Ovalis’ tall growth and red, elliptical leaf shape match the plant in this part of the image
- Limnophila Rugosa’s leaf shape a growth pattern make it a good choice, plus its texture will add an extra layer of visual appeal
- Cyperus Helferi is a long, grassy plant that fits the bill
- Willow moss’s unkempt growing style can fill in nicely here in between the two pieces of driftwood, as well as fill in the patch of green directly beneath #2.
Recommended background color, extracted directly from the image:
RGB: 134, 169, 207
HEX: #86a9cf
Closest off-the-shelf paint match: Lowe’s Tidal Basin, 5001-7c / nv242c
And there you have it – a guide to getting started on your journey to aquascaping with IntelliQuarium. As you can see, it’s not as difficult as it may seem. As you continue down the road of aquarium exploration, remember to have fun with it. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right. You may encounter setbacks, but that’s OK. All the pros have had their fair share, and every endeavor worth pursuing will throw challenges your way.
While AI offers exciting possibilities for design and innovation, navigating its challenges requires a balanced approach. By starting simple, adapting AI suggestions to real-world conditions, and continuously learning, anyone can use it as a powerful tool to succeed with aquascaping.
*** I don’t receive compensation of any kind from external links. The ones posted in this article are there solely to facilitate the process of aquascaping with AI. ***