AquaScapingWorldAquaScapingWorld Making Magic In Glass Boxes

World Class Aquascaper George Lo Aquatic Photography For the Aquascaper Algae Repulsion Experimental Tank Revisited Urban Pond-Tubbin Aesthetically Matching Setup

www.aquascapingworld.com VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 JUNE 2008

JUNE 2008 World 1 Letter from the Editor

Inside our June Issue!

Summer is here, and so is our June Issue!

Our special treat this month is an in-depth interview with professional aquascaper, George Lo. He shares with us his aquascaping philosophies, experiences, and some of his favorite aquascapes.

This summer season perhaps try something a little different. How about creating a little magic outside? This month, Liz Marchio shows us exactly how to create an urban pond, while inspiring us with some helpful tips and photographs of what can be accomplished.

For those who want to focus on “creating magic in glass boxes” indoors, there are fantastic tutorials inside that will help you along. Most notably, Roy Deki kicks off the tutorials with a discussion on the types of aquascaping materials available to hobbyists. You can use your newfound knowledge to develop a hardscape that will capture the attention of any of your houseguests. In a few months, you might have an wonderful scape like our June Aquascape in Focus, “Broken Stone Garden,” which illustrates a way to use large stones effectively in a layout.

But that’s not all! Get those digital cameras out because once you’re done reading this month’s aquatic photography tutorial you’ll be taking photographs like a pro. You don’t even need to have an expensive camera!

So, whether it’s inside or outside, have a great time with your aquascaping adventures this month!

John Nguyen Editor in Chief AquaScaping World Magazine

2 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Introduction for the fourth issue of AquaScaping World Magazine. By John Nguyen

4 AN AESTHETICALY MATCHING AQUARIUM SETUP An aquascape is only as beautiful as its tools and surrounding environment. By Kristoffer Willersley Jorgensen

8 URBAN POND-TUBBIN WATER GARDENS Discover ways to take your aquascaping skills outside this summer, and try your hand at creating an outdoor pond. By Liz Marchio

14 DESIGN ATTRACTIVE AQUACAPING LAYOUTS WITH STONE AND DRIFTWOOD The foundation of any layout lies in the effective use of stone and driftwood. By Roy Deki

20 WORLD CLASS AQUASCAPER GEORGE LO A professional aquascaper, ADA specialist, and a friend to our hobby. Get up close and personal with Mr. George Lo and his world-class aquascapes.

34 AQUATIC PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE AQUASCAPER You don’t need an expensive camera to capture your aquascape at its best. Find out how to use all those fancy camera settings on your DSLRs and Point and Shoot cameras from a proven professional. By Jason Baliban

44 AQUASCAPE IN FOCUS: BROKEN STONE GARDEN This month we feature Pedro Pinto’s “Broken Stone Garden.” Not only does this scape demonstrate a creative use of stone, it emotes a great sense of tranquility and peace.

52 ALGAE REPULSION EXPERIMENTAL TANK PART II A hobbyist continues on his journey of finding the methods to prevent algae. By Aziz Dhanani

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 3 A Beautiful Aquascape Starts with an aesthetic Matching Aquariu

4 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 By Kristoffer Willerslev Jørgensen

aving a visually appealing rimless aquarium on a nice H stand is just one piece of your aquarium setup that adds to the aesthetic feel of our aquascapes. A large part of our aquarium setups consist of technical equipment, such as fixtures, filtration plumbing, and CO2 equipment. Technical equipment can affect the overall visual impression of the whole aquarium setup if the equipment does not match the design of the tank and the stand. Like choosing the right plant species that complement each other in an aquascape, it is important to select equipment parts that fit the look of your stand and aquarium. Today various types of inlet/ outlet glass pipes, CO2 glassware and smoothly designed lighting pendants can be bought. The well-known style of ADA gives an approach to aquarium design with well-made glassware to match everything but your paycheck. Thus, we must sometimes use knockoff brands and other products to imitate the cally minimalistic style. This gives everyone a chance to make their own ADA-style setup and have a stunning setup in their own living room. um Setup I have chosen to make a stand for my rimless 60x30x36 cm tank, similar to the ADA wood stand. You can read more about this in ASW’s April 2008 Issue.

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 5 Lighting Equipment For lighting my aquarium, I have chosen a 3 x 24W T5 fluorescent pendant, which has a simple aluminum profile that does not draw attention to itself (important since we want the viewer’s focus to be on our aquascape). The pendant can be raised by its wires, making it easy to raise the lights and still have illumination while doing maintenance work inside the tank. For mounting the pendant, I have chosen two small wall brackets in the same color as the wall. The bolts in the end of the wire allow the pendant to be raised with ease and without the use of any tools. This part of the setup can be a difficult choice and it’s mostly a choice of personal taste. I have chosen a combination of three types of fluorescent tubes: • In the back, I have chosen a 10,000 Kelvin tube to give a bright, strong light. This, combined with the reddish color from the Grolux, makes a good combination and raises the intensity of blue and red wavelengths which are beneficial for the plant photosynthesis. • The Sylvania Grolux gives a reddish-warm glow suited to bring out the red colors of plants and fishes. This tube is placed in the center. • In the front, I have chosen a daylight tube called LifeGlo II. It has a rating of 6700

Keep things out of sight! A stand is a great place to hide equipment. Kelvin and a strong peak in the green area and has the highest lumen intensity of the three. This combination gives a full spectrum of light, matching sunlight, and should bring out the best colors from the plants and fishes.

6 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 C02 Equipment Semi-Automatic Water The CO2 system consists of the Changing System Ferplast pressure reducer for Just after the outlet of the disposable bottles, set to a filter I have placed a T-pipe and fixed working pressure of 1 bar. two shutoff valves. This will I have used a single function as my semiautomatic manometer to view bottle water change system. When pressure so I can see when its the valves are shut to the outlet time to change the bottle. The and open to the other pipe it will DIY ADA Stand disposable bottles don’t take up use the filters pump to empty much space and is easy to the tank fast. When the filter is change. I have an electronic stopped and the valve is shut valve turned on and off by a for the outlet of the filter, an timer to shut of CO2 at night. external pump can fill the tank This saves CO2 and makes with clean water from a sure that the CO2 level does not reservoir. All I have to do is to rise to a critical level doing mount a hose from my drain night. and water reservoir and open/ There are many types of shut the valves. This function CO2 tubing on the market but makes water change easy and the only kind suited for CO2 is fast, and does not require me to PVC or PU tubing since it does pour water into the tank and not let the CO2 pass thought possible disturb the aquascape. the sides. Regular air tubing in silicone will allow CO2 to Automatic Fertilizer Dosing Glass Diffuser and escape and waste the CO2. I System have chosen a knockoff Rhinox As a last function I have chosen Bubble Counter beetle counter since it gives a an automatic dosing system, good easy reading of the CO2 the Aqua Medic SP3000 dosing flow and also looks nice with pump combined with an the glass spiral CO2 diffuser on electronic timer. This will dose a the inside. solution containing both micro For distribution I have and macro fertilizer every day chosen a 3cm glass ceramic following the estimative dosing diffuser to give me a large index. All I have to do is surface area for the CO2 to carefully watch plant growth dissolve though. A check valve and add supplementary placed before the beetle fertilizers when needed. counter makes sure that the An automatic fertilizer backpressure doesn’t empty the dosing system removes the water into the electric valve. daily fertilizing maintenance requirements for a successful Aquarium Filtration planted aquarium. I do not have CO2 Tank and Filtration is done by an to worry if I miss a day of Regulator Eheim Ecco 2232 with dosing. This way I can focus on Ehfimech, a fine and a course the overall appearance of the filter sponge. I have chosen a aquascape and not worry about set of 12mm Flo in/outlets the technical aspects or be connected with clear PU hoses, disturbed by any equipment and placed them so that current spoiling the look of the setup. flows towards the diffuser and down. This makes sure that the CO2 is distributed evenly and doesn’t rise to the surface.

Water changer and Fertilizer Autodoser

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 7

Urban Ponding—Tub Water G

8 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008

Summer is here! Time to Get a Tubbin!

iving in an apartment or condominium certainly can be advantageous. L I’m happy just not having to maintain a lawn! I do, however, yearn for a little slice of bbin’ my own outdoor area from time to time. With spring fever hitting hard, desire for the outdoors starts to peak! So, what’s one to do living the city life with no outdoor world to call your own? Gardens You create it! I’m going to show you how to create your own small By Liz Marchio water garden, perfect for patios or even a sunlit balcony!

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 9 more good choices I’d like to note:

• Small, hardy tetra species; splash tetras would be a good experimentation! • Small* Danio species • Algae eating shrimp species. • Dwarf cichlids – Pelvicachromis, Mikrogeophagus, hardy Apistogramma species. • Livebearers; swordtails, hardy guppy variants, Endler’s livebearers. • Barbs - I always see tub- The Container Again, this project is all raised rosy barbs at fish First and foremost, there are about simplicity. The number auctions! space and size limitations with and types of fish you can keep in • Killiefish - a great choice. every water garden, whether they an aquarium will not be able to • Feeder goldfish- great for be in a tub or a full-blown pond. convert to outdoor living. There kids, but need to be wintered It is necessary to use a container are, of course, modifications indoors in a species specific as large as possible in order to available to every project to suit aquarium (i.e. not a bowl). maintain the plant and animal life different needs, but simplicity is for the season. As with the rule! Plecostomas, loaches Inappropriate but tempting , the larger the and other current-loving fish will species you may think of container, the more stable the not be good choices. The ideal trying: temperature and water chemistry. fish choices are those fishes that • Loaches - need more water Tubbin’ is all about simplicity and can tolerate stagnant conditions. current. having “oops! room” by way of Ideally those fish that thrive in • Plecostomas - need more extra water volume to insure your these conditions are a great water current. endeavor isn’t in vain. starter species. Labyrinthfish, • Catfish- need more water In order to house small fish such as small gourami species, current. species, twenty gallons or more paradisefish, bettas, and some • Neon or cardinal tetras- not is ideal, depending on the ctenapoma species are all hardy enough to take species of choice of course. We fantastic choices. Keep in mind temperature and water quality use a seventy-gallon Rubbermaid that tubbin’ is a whole new world swings. resin tub. Personally, I would not of fish keeping! You won’t be • Larger danios - they jump do any outdoor fish keeping looking in at your fish from the really well. under fifty-gallons, but that can side anymore but peering down • Koi - remember these are be difficult for most people due to into the water’s surface. You carp and get large. They are the outdoor space they are may not even SEE your fish for also great jumpers. working with. If this is the case, days! So don’t buy the most • Mollies - need warmer water experimentation is the only way expensive color variant or and higher pH than other to figure out species of betta livebearers. exactly what First Rule of Tubbin’ you can find. The your limitations This one is for the First great thing about See the “fishless” idea list below as well! are. Keeper. The Bigger the labyrinthfish is There is an that they almost option to go Better! all build bubble The Plants, with Fish and “fishless”. Keep nests on the Without reading for more information. water’s surface! The fish may not This is, hands down, the best be visible, but their unique part of water gardening. I always behaviors will be! Although I am feel a sense of pride seeing a partial to labyrinths as good small starter clipping or seed The Fish starter species, there are a few grow into a thriving, robust

10 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 specimen. Tubbin’ is a great way nutrient addition and their looks great and when we did to experiment with emersed containers only need be this project, there were growing techniques or to grow topped-off amazing amounts out some light-loving submerged due to Second Rule of Tubbin’ of natural fauna plants in order to bring them in evaporation. The smaller and hardier growing and during the winter months. populating the tub! • Setting up a the fish species, the This also needs to A Few Choices sealed better! be topped-off. Fishless: Sometimes ceramic pot maintaining fish in every and growing submerged • My last project was last year’s container you set up just isn’t plants out as emersed. This container where I grew feasible or maintainable. There is a fun experiment with Phyllanthus fluitans (“Red is the option of tubbin’ with only Amazon sword plants, since Root Floater”) and a collected plants. This is much easier and there are so many variants to species of Potamogeton, still very rewarding. Some things try. You’ll be amazed at what which I found in a roadside I’ve done in the past are: these look like out of the ditch near my home. Due to water! Again, top-off only. being more sensitive plants, • Setting up a sealed ceramic this tub could not dry out and pot for a species of marginal • Using a low-rise pot (squat, needed to be topped-off more plant such as taro or irises. but with a lot of surface area) often. These grow well with to grow dwarf cattails and appropriate lighting and parrots feather. The contrast Fish Tub: if you’re interested

This ceramic tub was completed in 2007, and contains a collection of Phyllanthus fluitans (“Red Root Floater”) and a collected species of Potamogeton found locally. Both species of plants required the tub to have the maximum amount of water or else they would dry out.

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 11 in keeping fish in your tub down wash out! This also serves leaves and then standing garden, first make sure the as a surface skimmer and a lawn- leaves. After the first few animals can be housed in your watering device! Doing some standing leaves, with enough container planning in these sunlight, the flowers begin to appropriately. If Third Rule of Tubbin’ regards have come up. The first few are you aren’t sure, Fishless systems are made my tubbin’ usually weak, but the use the ASW easier, but may require quite easy! Also, following are spectacular. forums to ask. my tub always That year we housed Danio A few of my more maintenance! receives about 5-6 feegradei. As soon as I put past projects in hours of full them in, half of them jumped a 70-gallon Rubbermaid resin tub morning sun. Don’t forget to plan out! I ended the season with are listed to stimulate some your tub according to available 1-2 left out of 10. This year, I ideas. The tub is plumbed with a light! lost some fish, but still quick-draining system in order to resolved to try again next do water changes quickly, as My Past and Current projects: year! (see photo 2 “2006 tub)) needed, and to tear down the tub quickly in the winter. This is • 2006: Lotus Nelumbo 'Momo • 2007: Nymphaea zenkeri connected to a standpipe that Botan' – a day blooming “Red” – The red tiger lotus acts as an overflow in case of dwarf lotus was our focal was last year’s focal point heavy rain. That way the fish point plant. It puts up floating plant. I’ve kept tiger lotus in

This tub created in 2006, developed nicely, but had problems with fish jumping out.

12 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 Designed last year, this tub was one of the most successful ever. It contained swarms of breeding Endler’s Livebearers and a group of Lotuses that bloomed wonderful pink flowers.

aquariums for years and have There’s thought to growing interesting experiments for to say keeping one “naturally” out some Melanotaenia parva tubbin’. was a fantastic experience. (Dwarf Flame Rainbowfish) or The emersed leaves were conditioning/breeding a new There are many other plants that amazingly sturdy and wild-type livebearer we would be worthwhile to try beautiful and the flowers were recently got, Xenotoca outdoors as well. Make sure that spectacular. (see photo 4 “red melanosoma. I am also going if you try something new and are tiger flower”) This experience to collect some wild plants, successful, pass that information is the reason why I suggest Equisetum scirpoides, the onto others. The wonderful thing emersed experimentation! dwarf horsetail rush and a about aquarium/pond keeping is That year I grew out a pair of Potamogeton species from a the opportunity to experiment, Pelvicachromis humilis local waterway. Those will go break new ground, and help “Liberia Red” with a swarm of into my emersed ceramic pot. others achieve success. With that Endler’s livebearers. The in mind, always remember the Pelvics did well, no spawns, A few other plants to consider fourth and final rule of tubbin’. but built pits and valleys in keeping: the mud (very cool!). The • Salvinia species (any and you Endler’s did well, and I still can do more than one!) Final Rule of Tubbin’ have the group. Other plants • Pista stratiotes, water lettuce; included Lotus Nelumbo there’s a dwarf variety too. Always pass on what 'Momo Botan' again, and • Ludwigia sedioides; mosaic you’ve learned and en- Phyllanthus fluitans (Red plant- this is an awesome joyed to someone else! Root Floater). This was a looking floating plant. successful tubbin’ year! • Nymphoides and Nymphaea species- make sure they are • 2008: This summer, I’m tub-appropriate in size! Some definitely trying the Red Tiger get HUGE! Lotus again. You can’t beat a • Water sprite, Ceratopteris cheap water garden plant! pteroides. Also, looking to grow Salvinia • Sword plants, Echinodorus oblongifolia and Azolla (which sp.; can be submersed or always seems to find its way emersed. into our tubs eventually • Hydrocotyle species; will anyways!). The fish are the grow in and out of water! hardest part to decide upon. • Stem plants in general make

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 13 Design Attractive Aquas with Stone and D

Get your plants to grow the way you want them

14 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 scaping Layouts Driftwood By Roy Deki

ay out materials are one of the most important aspects of aquascaping. L Materials such as stones and pieces of driftwood help create a more natural scene inside a planted aquarium. The type, shapes, and placement of the these materials can evoke moods and feelings for the observer. The combination of wood with rock or simply using one or the other can greatly improve your aquascape.

Aquascaping with Driftwood Take care when choosing your wood, as you do not want it to overpower the aquascape by being out of scale. Many aquarists will use blocky forms of Malaysian driftwood, while others may use manzanita branches depending upon the look they are trying to achieve. When Photo by Nicolas Guillerman choosing branchy type wood, the diameter of the branches should be in scale with your aquarium. You do not want too thick or too skinny of wood but rather a mixture of diameters relative to the size of your aquarium. When selecting your branches, make sure to get as much branching, Find out how stone and wood twisting or curving as possible. This will help add character to can enhance your layout your aquascape.

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 15 will leach tannins. I have had large pieces leach enough tannins to make my tank appear as if it was filled with iced tea; only to stop after about 8 months of weekly water changes. Buy used pieces of Malaysian driftwood from other hobbyists and you can skip the soaking part. ADA Old Black wood is one of the most desirable types of (Top) Malaysian wood with Seiryu-seki stones. wood for some aquascapers. (Bottom) Manzanita branches with Seiryu-seki stones. ADA Old Black wood is collected from South America, along the Have an abundance of wood fill the tub up with hottest water central parts of the Rio Negro to choose from and don’t hesitate possible and submerge the (black river) deep in the Amazon. to break or cut you branches to fit branches by placing rocks on top It is very dense and will sink into a particular spot. The tips of of them. I will change the water naturally on its own. Unlike the these branches should always be out every other day, re-filling the other types of driftwood broken and not cut. Having a tub with hot water. This allows discussed, ADA old black wood smooth 90 degree cut at the end the pores of the wood to open doesn’t leach any tannins and of your branches can take away and the leaching of tannins will therefore no pre-soaking from the natural appearance you happen quicker. Typically, I will required. ADA Old Black wood are trying to obtain. Once you soak the wood for about a month, are some of the most interesting have collected more than enough although two weeks should be pieces I have every seen. The wood, you should take the time to enough. By this time, most of the cost of this wood ($12 or more prep it before using it in your tannins are removed and the per lb) is cost prohibiting for tank. wood will be water logged and most of hobbyists but, can be Manzanita branches are very sink on their own. well worth the try in a smaller popular in our hobby, because of Malaysian wood is another tank. the cost, density and character popular choice among aquarist. As I mentioned earlier, try to these branches possess. Before The benefit of this wood is that it have several wood pieces to using this type of wood you will is so dense that it will sink when select from before beginning your need to soak them until they sink completely dry. The bad thing aquascape. I have seen many on their own. This soaking plays about this type of wood is that it people aquascape with only three two parts. The first is to leach out is loaded with tannins. Soaking to five pieces, only to be as much tannins as possible. I them in hot water is a must frustrated with the lack of use an extra bathtub in my house before using them in your tank. arrangement possibilities. You to soak this type of wood. I will The larger the piece the longer it have very little options when you

16 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 17 (Top) Manzanita branches with “Rip-rap” stones from a rock and landscape supply store. (Bottom) Seiryu-seki stones with beautiful texture and rock veins.

18 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 Locally collected lava rock from Arizona.

use too few branches. Give can be quite significant. This plenty. Just like wood, it always yourself more options, and prohibits many aquarists from better to have options when besides the remaining wood will purchasing and enjoying the placing these rocks in you tank. already be soaked and the incredible beauty of these stones. Lastly, don’t forget larger rocks tannins removed for a later The most commonly used are great materials to start with project. are those that are collected in too. These rocks can be broken and around various locations. I by a well placed chisel and a Rocks and Stones have gone on a couple of “rock hammer, just be sure to wear eye One of the most important hunting trips” myself. I once protection. things to remember is to use the purchased some very interesting same type of rock in your lava rock from another hobbyist aquascape. I have often seen only to have later found the exact two or three types of rocking in rocks here locally in Arizona. So one aquascape and it only makes get out there and hunt for rocks! me frown. The lack of continuity It will be well worth your time and in the stones is enough for me to effort. Another source for rocks overlook the rest of the can be your local rock and aquascape. landscape supply store. I have There are far too many used a rock from such a retail different types of rocks that are outlet called “rip-rap”. It comes in used in aquascaping to mention various colors and also seem to them all. Some of the most buffer my RO water to a kh of 4- desirable are Seiryu-seki stones, 5. That’s a huge benefit to me Shou stones, Ryuoh stones, and because I use 100% RO in all my Maten stones. These are all scapes. No matter where you imported from Japan so the cost get your rocks, remember to get

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 19 Professional Aquasc Successful Entrepren George L

George Lo has over 10 years of aquascaping experience and produces world class aquascapes.

20 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 caper neur o

ne of the premier aquascapers in our hobby, ASW gets a O one-on-one with George Lo (far right). He is the co-owner, with his brother Steven, of AquaForest Aquarium in San Francisco, California. A true hobbyist- oriented entrepreneur and an expert in the Nature Aquarium Style, George Lo is a regular speaker on aquascaping and planted aquarium topics across the world.

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 21 I really got into seriously planted aquarium when I was 18 years old when I saw Mr. Amano's book of Nature Aquarium World in Boarder's bookstore. I was shocked by the beautiful pictures of Nature aquariums created by Mr. Amano in the book. Since then, I started and began my journey in creating Nature aquarium style planted aquarium.

Q: Wow, many people can probably relate to becoming inspired by the Nature Aquarium World Books. How did you know you wanted to follow this style which you have been doing for over ten years?

A: The images in Amano’s Nature Aquarium World sunk deeply into my mind when I first saw them. I have always liked keeping plants with fish, however, I was never satisfied by the look of my planted aquarium and always thought they should look more natural World class Aquascapers and businessmen, Steven and George Lo (left to right respectively). but did not know how I could make them look more natural. And Mr. Amano's creations of George, please tell us more I have always kept fish Nature Aquariums gave me the about yourself. since I was little but I can not answers and directions on how remember exactly when I I could make my aquariums A: I was born and raised in started. I remember that I had look more natural. This is the Taiwan. My family immigrated a small plastic container that I main reason why I decided to to Toronto, Canada when I was kept a few feeder gold fish in it follow Mr. Amano's Nature 13 years old. We lived in when I was 10 years old and I Aquarium Style. Canada for about four years wanted to put some aquatic and decided to come to plants in it because the image Q: Can you remember when America when I was 17 years of fish and plants always goes you first time met Takashi old. I graduated from San together for me. However, I Amano, the man who Francisco State University with couldn't find any aquatic plants inspired you? a Bachelor of science degree in at that time so I decided to Cell and Molecular Biology. I pulled out some plants growing A: I first met Mr. Takashi have always been interested in in my mom's garden and put it Amano on my first trip to the nature, especially nature into my little aquarium. As soon ADA Nature Aquarium party in surrounding water. When ever as I put in the plants, I saw tiny year 2004. I placed 56 when I I see a pool of water or a small oxygen bubbles started coming enter the contest for the first stream flowing by, I would out of the plants and was totally time and received an invitation always take a closer look and amazed by the "phenomenon". from ADA to the party. When I try to see if there are fish or Since then I would always try to first met Mr. Amano I did have a aquatic plants living in it. keep plants with fish. little "star" stuck and was a bit

22 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 90p showcased in the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts Museum in San Francisco

nervous, however, it soon went Nature Aquarium style and has be able to anticipate what your away because of his many amazing display tanks in aquascape will look like when friendliness, humorous, and his shop. Oliver Knott's work plants grow out. straight forward character. also provided me a lot I do not believe that some inspirations in the creativity people naturally have Q: What aquascapers do you aspect. His work is top notch in aquascaping talent. To look up to or find inspiration terms of plant health and aquascape, one needs to have from? originality. a very good understanding of the characteristic growth A: There are many other Q: How hard do you think it is pattern of plants and also have aquascapers that I look up to to aquascape? Does a good understanding of and find inspirations from. I aquascaping skill come maintaining a planted tank and don’t recall many of their naturally? these knowledge does not names, but I have learned a lot come naturally. It needs to be from a Taiwanese aquascaper A: In my opinion, aquascaping learned and acquired. I believe Chan Shih Hsien, who's work is not easy. It’s not just about what makes an aquascaper placed 2nd in the 2007 ADA placing the stones and good is his/her passion for the Aquatic Plants Layout Contest. driftwood in positions that will hobby. Another Taiwanese aquascaper look good, an aquascaper also Lin Yu Chen, who's work need to have a good Q: What was one your ranked 117 in 2007 ADA understanding of different greatest challenges in the aquatic plants layout contest growth patterns and growth hobby? also gave me a lot of conditions that plants require. inspirations. Mr. Lin owns a One of the most important A: One of the greatest shop that also specialized in elements in aquascaping is to challenges that I have faced

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 23 was that we were invited by the often do you do maintenance combat algae in a more natural Yerba Buena Center of the Arts on them? way, instead of using museum in San Francisco to chemicals. A few things that I display one of our planted tanks A: I have 8 tanks at home and do is using a lot of algae eating in our store in the museum for we have around 76 tanks in our creatures such as Amano Algae two months. It was challenging store. Usually I do eating shrimp, Siamensis Algae because we had to move our maintenance once a week on Eating fish, and Otocinclus. 90P (50gallon) show tank to a our show tanks. It consist of Also, starting with a lot of different location. We had to scraping the glass, water plant mass in the aquarium with make sure that the aquascape change, and sometimes triming healthy growing plants seemed did not get moved or destroyed the plants or cleaning the filter. to be very effective in during the transportation. Also, controlling algae. the museum is open to public Q: Do you encounter algae Another element that I daily so another challenge that issues? think is important is filtration, I we faced was to keep the tank normally use double the in it's optimum condition at all A: Yes I do have algae recommended filtration flow that times. problems. There are different is stated on the filter packaging. ways to combat algae, but I For example, if the filter is Q: How many tanks do you think the best way to combat made for 40 gallons, I use it on have at your home? How algae is to prevent it. I like to a 20 gallon tank, and

24 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 Cube Garden 120P 120x45x45cm sometimes I use two filters. would like to try someday available to the hobbyists each I think the biggest because I am a fan of growing day. The possibilities and challenge to a new aquascaper stem plants. aquascaping potential are is algae control. That is a infinite. common problem I found in Q: Where do you see most beginners. Aquascaping going in the Q: Do you feel today’s next 10 years? aquascapers are becoming Q: How do you feel about repetitive and unoriginal? Dutch Style Aquariums A: I see a great potential of compared to the Nature different aquascaping style A: In my opinion, I see a lot of Style? going in the next 10 years. New new and creative aquascapes materials and technology is either on online forums or in A: Dutch Style Aquariums have becoming more and more contests. I think creativity is a a different design concept and available allowing more new very important element in Stem plants are used designs. For example, natural aquascaping. However, as I commonly in Dutch Style materials like driftwood or rocks remember from one of my Aquarium. I have never are irregular in shapes and science professors in school, attempted to create a serious sizes which can be combined who said “In science one needs Dutch Aquarium myself, with more and more new to be able to think different in however, that is something I varieties of plants becoming order to make new discoveries.

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 25 But before that happens, one suggest to the asipiring Q: George it’s been a needs to first learn the basic hobbyist to read as much pleasure getting to know you fundamentals thoroughly and information about growing better. You have a what are acquire as much basic skills as different plants and learn about your aquaria aspirations for possible.” So I would suggest their growth patterns. Also, get the future? beginner hobbyists to acquire close to nature as often as the basic fundamentals of possible and observe how A: I am always learning and aquascaping skills first before plants grow or how rocks and trying new techniques to trying to create a new style. driftwoods are positioned in aquascape or to maintain my natural environment. tanks, or finding different Q: What advice can you give combinations of plants that will a new aquascapers? Q: Your brother, Steven, is look good in an aquascape. My deeply involved in planted current goal is to try and find A: The most important element tanks too. I have to ask, who plants that will look good and to having a successful is the better aquascaper? require as little maintenance as aquascape is being possible, and combine it with knowledgeable about the A: I think I am a better aquascaping techniques so that different growing patterns of aquascaper, but my brother the tank requires as little aquatic plants and keeping thinks he is the better one, ha! maintenace as possible, them growing healthy. I would trimming in particular!

26 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 Cube Garden 180P 180x60x60cm

I hope to introduce the Additional Notes: planted aquarium hobby to as George and Steven Lo operate AquaForest Aquarium in San Francisco, CA, specializing in ADA products. You can visit their online store at many people as possible, www.aquaforestaquarium.com. because I personally think it is an amazing and enjoyable hobby. One can learn so much from it about nature and life. I hope one day the planted aquarium hobby in America will be as popular as they are in Asia or Europe.

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 27 28 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 Cube Garden 60P (60x30x36cm)

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 29 30 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 Cube Garden 60P (60x30x36cm)

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 31 32 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 ADA Mini-M:36x22x26cm

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 33

Aquatic Photography For the Aquascaper

34 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 e spend a lot of time and effort to get our layouts to W look just the way we want them. When that time finally comes, we want to capture them in that moment of time with a photograph that conveys our hard work, creativity, and skills. With a couple key points, we can easily improve our skills, no matter the quality of our camera. Photography in itself is an art. Many people devote their lives to it. This obsession is something that can be combined with aquascaping to create stunning results. As with any hobby or devotion, our layouts cost great amounts of time and money. Unfortunately, many of us do not have much money left over to buy professional-level photography gear or time to devote to learn the art. By Jason Baliban Many of us are left to capture our layouts with amateur cameras, such as Point-and-

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 35 Shoot cameras, and minimal weakness affects us aquarists, The shutter can also stay open know-how. Below I will cover as our lighting is often for 30 seconds or more in very two settings that are available fluorescent. dim (almost dark) situations. on almost all Point-and-Shoot Our cameras know they Our cameras will cameras. These settings, once won’t get it right all the time, so automatically pick a shutter understood, will allow you to they allow us to choose from speed for us. Similar to AWB, create pictures that tell truer preset WB settings. These help our camera takes samples of stories of your layouts. when our camera doesn’t figure our scene and “guesses” the White Balance (WB) it out correctly. Some of these best shutter speed to create a White balance is simply the presets include Cloudy, Day picture that is exposed adjustment of Red, Green, and Light, and Fluorescent. We correctly. The camera’s Blue to create the “correct” often have to resort to these computer has many templates depiction of white. Our human settings to get our tanks to look in its memory to determine the eye will adjust this the same in pictures as they do subject of a picture and how automatically. For example, when we look at them with our best to expose it. when you are home at night eyes. Unfortunately, aquariums are and have regular lights on, White balance is a matter not in these templates, so it will white appears white. However, of taste. Back to our “yellow often “guess” wrong and when we take a photo inside inside picture” example, while a overexpose our pictures with regular light (no flash), we camera can be set to make a (making them too bright). end up with that familiar yellow picture taken with normal indoor Our cameras provide us image...we all know the ones. light look very accurate with with a way to adjust the Film cameras used filters on the whites, to many of us it may exposure in an easy way. This lenses to handle these color look too “cold” because we are process is called exposure cast problems. With the invent used to the subtle warm yellow compensation. It is usually of the digital camera, we can do that we have seen in inside measured in +/-. Some this with a touch of a button. pictures throughout our lives. cameras use 1/3 to express this Most digital cameras have As with bulb choice in our variance, or +2/3 for example. an Auto White Balance setting aquarium lighting, WB is very While other cameras simply use (AWB). This is the most much a matter of taste. whole numbers, -3 for example. common WB when we use our cameras in the most common Exposure Application - WB setting, AUTO. AWB simply Exposure is a simple We will use my “Without means that our cameras will concept to understand. Our Boundaries” layout for our choose the correct WB for us. cameras create pictures by subject. I will show you how Our cameras have little allowing light to shine on a changing the WB and exposure computers in them that sensor for a moment of time. will affect the look of our evaluate points in the scene The sensor then converts that photograph. We will start with and make a “guess” about the light into digital information that WB, picking our preference, white balance. Most of our is stored. The longer the light then move on to exposure. cameras do a very good job in shines on the sensor, the I am using a Canon Point- most situations. Your camera brighter the picture. If the and-Shoot camera. I am may take pictures that look source is bright, the moment of omitting directions on how to natural to you when your time can be shorter, still giving actually change the WB and subject is in sunlight or on a the sensor enough light to exposure settings. All cameras cloudy day. However, your make the picture. If the source are a little different and will camera may have weak areas. is dimmer, the moment will require you to read your manual For example, most cameras still have to be longer to give the to understand how to change get incandescent (indoor) light sensor enough light. the settings. wrong, leaving you with the The ability to control the “yellow inside shot.” Another moment of light is The following are five shots weak area might be fluorescent. accomplished by the camera using the same exposure This weakness leaves shots shutter. The shutter can open (shutter speed) but with taken in fluorescent light and close as fast as 1/8000 of a different WB. looking too green. second in some cameras to Unfortunately, this exact handle very bright situations.

36 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 AWB – In this case my camera did a pretty good job of picking the right WB. If anything, the color tint is a little green.

Cloudy Preset – You can see that this emphasized the yellow tint. This makes the picture appear warmer. If you can imagine a cloudy day, the color cast is often blue (or cold). The added yellow will warm up the color. This WB would be good for bulbs above 8000k.

Daylight Preset – This is a nice WB for this tank. I think that many would find this pleasing. It is a little warm for my taste, but I can understand many feeling great about this color.

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 37 Tungsten Preset – Also called incandescent, this WB will add a lot of blue. It is designed to be used inside where the lights are very yellow and warm. Remember our inside yellow pictures? Try taking a few shots inside at night with this setting. You will see that the whites are much more balanced. This WB is too blue for my taste.

Fluorescent Preset– This setting cuts the greens just a bit, as fluorescents have spikes in greens. This is the WB I choose to move forward with.

Application – Exposure (negative) exposure Again, you will need to run compensation, but lets run through your instruction manual through both the +/-, going to determine how to change the three steps up and six steps Exposure Compensation down. You will see that the settings. extremes of both are unusable, Tip: Use a tripod whenever you Now that I have chosen my but they may help those who shoot an aquarium. If you do not WB, I will now select the proper have cameras that pick more have one, find something steady exposure compensation. As extreme exposures to rest your camera on. you can see, my camera’s Auto automatically. exposure made our photo too bright: the darks are too bright and the brights are overexposed (making them appear white and washed out). In this case I know to add –

38 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 + 3 (also +1.0 in 1/3 increments): over-exposed… If your picture looks like this, apply negative exposure compensation.

+ 2 (also +0.7 in 1/3 increments): over-exposed… If your picture looks like this, apply negative exposure compensation.

+ 1 (also +0.3in 1/3 increments): over-exposed… If your picture looks like this, apply negative exposure compensation.

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 39 Auto: over-exposed… If your picture looks like this, apply negative exposure compensation. Now we will do the negative. This is also a matter of taste, so we’ll pick one later.

-1 (also -0.3 in 1/3 increments)

-2 (also -0.7 in 1/3 increments)

40 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 -3 (also -1.0 in 1/3 increments)

-4 (also -1.3 in 1/3 increments)

-5 (also -1.7 in 1/3 increments)

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 41 -6 (also -2.0 in 1/3 increments)

Photo Taken with a Canon Powershot SD850 IS. Exceptional quality photos can be captured even with a general use like this $200 camera.

Photo taken with Nikon D80. This professional quality camera maintains the renders colors better then the cheaper Canon Powershot.

42 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 Jason Baliban’s “Without Boundaries”

As I said, this is a matter of the sensor. This difference

taste, but I think that -3 (-1 in allows the D80 camera to 1/3 increments) is the best handle the dynamics better. looking.

This picture is great, and it Now You’re Ready! captures the look of my tank as I hope this article has

I saw it. Many of you have helped you master your camera Photoshop, and there are a few just a bit more, allowing you to things you can do to enhance get closer to capturing your

the picture. layouts in a manner that is The top most picture on the consistent with your vision. As next page shows what the tank with most things, WB and

looks like with a little “Burning” exposure are a matter of taste. for the background, and finer The key is to experiment, and

sharpening. As you can see, follow your vision and tastes. this picture is a great These are just two small representation of the tank. I adjustments and bits of

think many would be surprised knowledge that go into creating to know that the picture was beautiful pictures of our layouts. taken with a $200 camera. In the future I hope to explore

To exemplify this further, other areas such as the bottom photo is the same supplemental lighting and

shot taken with a Nikon D80, a aperture. camera that costs five times For more articles by Jason Baliban, please more. As you can see, there visit www.projectaquarium.com really isn’t much difference. The most noticeable difference is with the highlighting. You can see that the highlights in the Point-and-Shoot final are

more washed out and white, while the D80 maintains the color a bit more. The reason

for this is the size and quality of

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 43 Aquascape In Focus: Broken Stone Gard

An Inte

44 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 roken Stone Garden is an aquascape that is truly rustic in its B layout and roots. This rimless planted aquarium showcases a simple, natural beauty from its thriving Glossostigma elatinoides foreground to the beautiful algae covering the rock garden. The aquascaper behind this masterpiece, Pedro Pinto, provides us a closer den look at his planted aquarium and the inspiration that started it all. erview with Pedro Pinto

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 45 Pedro Pinto poses next to his aquascaping piece Broken Stone Garden.

Q: Tell us a about yourself. could actually make the plants A: This aquarium was set up in When/How did you get started grow and didn’t care much about the middle of January 2008 and in planted aquariums? the layout. A few months after i it’s still a work in progress. For began paying more attention to this layout I wanted to give the A: I’m Pedro Pinto I’m 23 years the general look of the aquarium impression of a rock worn and old and currently finishing the as I joined some forums and met broken by natural processes as it degree in Geology in the Faculty some aquascapers. After some happens in nature. I positioned of Sciences of the University of extensive research I set up a the plants to give the impression Lisbon. Besides aquariums I also 130m (March 2006) tank and that of them adapting to whatever have a great passion for was my first true planted space there is available for them motorcycles and tennis. I got into aquarium and also my first to grow. the world of aquariums not long experience in international Starting with the background ago. I guess it was in February contests (ADA 2007). It was a there is a mass of Hemianthus 2005 when I bought one of those simple Iwagumi layout but it micranthemoides with some small betta display tanks but it helped me learning the basics of spare Eleocharis vivipara to didn’t keep me satisfied for long. aquascaping. break some of the monotony. I My first experience with planted Rotala rotundifolia just to aquatic plants came with a 60cm Q: Let’s jump right into your give it a little bit of orange. In the aquarium that I found in my scape. Tell us more about your front, I have three species of grandmother’s garage. At the feature “Broken Stone plants: Glossostigma elatinoides; time I found it amazing that I Garden”. Hemianthus micranthemoides;

46 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 Broken Stone Garden started as a few large pieces of rock. The largest rock was broken to accommodate the size of the aquarium and scape.

This is the result of breaking the largest of the rocks. It now forms the basis of the Broken Stone Garden Aquascape.

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 47 A: I usually don’t have any problems with algae. Neither in the initial steps of the aquarium nor on the rest of the layout’s duration. I don’t use fertile , and dose very little amounts of nutrients in the first few weeks of the layout. The reason that I don’t like to use fertile substrates it that I prefer to have a tighter control over the amounts of nutrients on the water. During the initial stages, I also keep a shorter light period, 6 hours.

Q: How do you choose your plant species and fish for a particular scape?

A: Both fish and plants must be One of Pinto’s past driftwood layouts. chosen accordingly to the general guideline of the aquarium. After and Eleocharis minima. I like to meant to be in a triangular shape deciding what type of layout I mix them because they with a large rock as a centre want to create I spend a lot of harmonize each other and give it piece. During the planning I found time looking at photos of other the feel that they are actually that the main rock was just too layouts analysing how this or that competing for the control of the large and tried to reshape it plant suits my idea. After setting substrate. resulting in me breaking it into up the layout I start thinking Surprisingly my biggest two smaller pieces which actually about the fish for it. Depending challenge with this layout came worked far better than the original on whether I want give the from the equipment. I have a one. The title of the aquascape impression of a luxurious and 3x24W T5 HO light (wich for this “Broken Stone Garden” seem to vibrant nature or a balanced and tank size is pretty good) but for a fit nicely. quiet landscape I tend to look not while I had problems with only for colour and shape of the Glossostigma growing up and Q: How often you do regular fish but also at their behaviour. Hemianthus micranthemoides maintenance? In one of my past layouts of just not growing dense. I added driftwood and ferns I chose an extra 40W PLL light wich A: My basic maintenance Hemmigramus hyanuary because quickly took care of it and now it’s consists of a weekly water they are a quite active fish and goind really well. It’s my first change of 50%. I’ll supplement suited very well to the dancing experience with T5 lights and so fertilizers twice a week adding the Cyperus helferi in the far I’m not that pleased. Until now usual proportions of nutrients background, although their I had just used PLL lights in my (10ppm of NO3, 18ppm of K, coloration is not that intense. aquariums and it has worked fine 2ppm of PO4, plus trace Definitely my favorite fish is so I might just go back to using elements and iron). For CO2 the Paracheirodon simulans with them. injection, I have it adjusted for 1 its simplicity and grace. A fish bubble/second. I don’t have a that I also like a lot and use very Q: What is something special schedule for trimming I just do it often is the Aplocheilichthys that we should know about the when I feel the harmony is being normani. I used both of them in aquascape that is not lost. my first Iwagumi layout and in my necessarily obvious? current layout. Q: Algae can become a big A: Well surely the title “Broken issue for many hobbyists. How Q: Describe how you come up Stone Garden” has a special have you managed to with your aquascaping layouts. meaning. Initially this layout was overcome algae?

48 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 A: All my aquascapes start in a times where I can sit back and decisions. The main problem I piece of paper. I prefer to sketch enjoy my work. At the same time, think is to know what works and a few variations of the same idea I like to see how long my original what doesn’t. with several plant combinations idea holds, and what planted I find that newcomers tend to to see which one works best. aquarium develops into. stick with very geometrical Once I decide how it will be I start layouts (a flat area on the front by trying a simple arrangement of Q: Aquascaping is challenging. with low growing plants and a the hardscape with few details You clearly have a good grasp curtain of stem plants in the and let it rest for a few days until on the concepts, what advice background) and have a hard it grows on me (or not). When can you give to fellow time when they try to harmonize working with rocks I try to place aquascapers? it. That’s why I think it’s important them so that it creates the to expose themselves to many impression of a larger rock being A: Usually aquascaping is not influences to start forming their weathered and breaking into hard for me because I spend a lot own ideas and developing a smaller ones. of time working on my ideas and critical opinion so they don’t feel As for driftwood layouts I planning the layout in my mind. marvelled whenever they look at prefer the feel of an old tree I believe that great things are just any aquascape. decomposing and opening up but achieved with great effort and The hobby is definitely transmitting an impression of surely it helps very much to have spreading as the equipments get water flow so I usually place a natural artistic talent but I think more affordable and more people pieces of wood in a radial it comes mainly from a great take interest in it. A lot of ideas arrangement with a specific passion for aquascapes, hard have been explored to dominant orientation. work and last but not least a lot of exhaustion but as long as there hours studying and analysing the are new ones coming in it will Q: After creating an aquascape work of great aquascapers (I surely be an extremely beautiful that is so beautiful when do would guess much like in art and attractive hobby. you decide to take it down? classes). Because it hasn’t been that Q: What’s in stored for the A: Most of the times it’s when I long since I began aquascaping, I aquascaping future of Pedro have a new idea that I just can’t still feel very close to beginner Pinto? wait to try. As my experience problems and sometimes I too grows and my confidence feel overwhelmed with the huge A: I hope I continue to improve matures I am now trying to number of plant species available my technique and get involved in experience layouts for longer when it comes do make more projects. Currently I also have a coldwater tank with a bed of river rocks and nymphaeas and a paludarium. I’m planning to set up a nano planted aquarium but I’m still gathering the equipment. In the future I’d like to try more U-shape Iwagumis, because so far I’ve been doing mostly island shaped scape. I also want to explore more on those deep jungle driftwood layouts with ferns and mosses. For my next layout I’d like to create something that resembles a fallen tree being overwhelmed by low growing plants.

A small school of Aplocheilichthys normani swim actively in the current.

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 49 Broken Stone Garden

Dimensions: 60x30x35cm Plant List Volume: 63 liters Hemianthus callitrichoides Light: 3x24W T5 HO Paracheirodon simulans Photoperiod: 10 hours Glossosigma elatinoides Substrate: Akadama Special 30 Liters Aplocheilichthys normanii Filtration: Eheim 2213 Eleocharis minima Fertilizer: Step 2, Bright K, ECA, Phyton-Git, Green Gain Eleocharis acicularis CO2: Pressurized w/ glass diffuser at approx. 2 bubbles per second. Eleocharis vivipara Rotala rotundifolia Hemianthus micranthemoides

Fauna Aplocheilichthys normanii

50 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 51 Algae Repulsion Experimental Ta Part II

52 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008

ank s readers recall in the the March 2008 Issue (Methods to Prevent A Algae), I attempted to set up a 10 gallon tank and implemented controversial anti- algae measures to determine whether there was any merit to these measures. Some of these measure included using moss balls to soak up nutrients, noon burst lighting, and Eigera densa as a chemical agent. While the tank held up well and remained relatively algae free for 6 months, I was rather surprised and caught off guard with the developments that ensued after 6 months. During the 6 months, the fish remained relatively healthy, the plants continued to do well, the water remained crystal clear, and what algae was mainly confined to blue green algae, which I eradicated early on and residual green spot algae which remained on a few anubias leaves and cardamine leaves. After 6 months, chaos ensued. There were fish deaths almost weekly and I was unable to pinpoint the cause of them. This was accompanied by the growth of black brush algae. I dosed the tank with By Aziz Dhanani Seachem Excel and this cause the blackbrush algae to recede and eventually disappear. However, the fish deaths

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 53 continued and green spot algae considerably lower. It should plant was known to be sensitive took the tank by storm. The be noted that GH levels to the effects of Excel and melt, whole glass was pretty much significantly increased as I was I did not want the tank water to covered with green spot algae. dosing calcium sulphate and become littered with dying I was at a loss to pinpoint what magnesium with every 50% Eigera densa. was causing this. I was dosing water change. The extremely By April 22 2008, I was left Estimative Index Dosing at the high GH levels would suggest with one surviving otocat, and time, there was a UV sterilizer an overdose of calcium one surviving marble hatchet. I running 24/7 in the tank, the sulphate, but again how much was really at a crossroads fish were not overfed, I was of the increase in GH was about what to do next. Given performing 50% weekly water responsible for the ensuing fish the regular occurrence of fish changes, and trimming plants deaths and decline in plant deaths, I was not sure if the as required. Water parameters growth is open for debate. otocat and one marble hatchet were interesting (see chart). What I can tell you is that after would survive. However, I did that reading, I stopped dosing not have anywhere to put them. Why did Algae Occur? calcium sulphate and I decided to leave the tank Cause and effect relationships magnesium and the next running, but implemented the are difficult to prove anytime monthly water parameter test following remedial measures in you setup a tank without indicated more ideal GH levels. the hopes of turning things another control tank. Many One thing that I noticed is around. conclusions can be drawn from that the development of the 1. Changed canopy bulbs from the differences in the water black brush algae and green 2 15 watt 6500 k compact parameters. I don't know how spot algae appeared to coincide fluorescent bulbs to 2 10 much those differences can with a major trim of the tank. I watt 6500 K compact really be attributed to the tank's had performed a major trim of fluorescent bulbs. The demise. the Eigera densa and greatly photo-period was kept at 8 The water parameters reduced the density of floating hours total, 4 hours on, 2 would suggest that at the time plant mass. Later on, I hours off, and 2 hours on. the tank began to experience completely removed all the 2. Added 5 Amano shrimp to problems, PH increased, Eigera densa as I wanted to help clean up some of the nitrates significantly increased, dose the tank with Seachem dead plant matter and any GH levels more than doubled, Excel to eradicate the black dying algae. and C02 levels may have been brush algae and I knew the 3. Double dose of Excel daily

54 AquaScaping World JUNE 2008 These are pictures of the tank as the tank appears on May 23, 2008. My regret is not taking pictures of the tank when it was at its worst. You never think of taking pictures of your tank when it looks so bad that you are ready to tear it apart. Such a comparison would have made it easier to see and appreciate the vast improvement.

and double dose with every date the Amano Shrimp appear References: Chuck Gladd’s CO2 Chart 50% water change. healthy and I have not noticed www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/ 4. Estimative Index fertilization any losses. Sadly though, the reduced to a 1/4-1/2 marble hatchet died after the Aziz Dhanani Personal Site www.azdhan.googlepages.comthelostworld2 recommended for 10 gallon last water parameter reading, tank. and the otocat perished a week 5. Added a floating mass of after that. Again, I am at a loss rotala indica stem plants as to what caused their deaths. and 2 dwarf tiger lilly bulbs to increase plant density.

Much to my surprise, the green spot algae cleared up within a

week of these measures. To

JUNE 2008 AquaScaping World 55 www.aquascapingworld.com