AquaScapingWorldAquaScapingWorld Making Magic In Glass Boxes

Aquascape In Focus: My Nemesis InterZoo 2012 Trade Fair AquarioScaping Contest Beginner’s Perspective Part II AGA Convention Adventure Fluval Edge

www.aquascapingworld.com VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 1 Letter from the Editor

Inside our September/October Issue

On behalf of AquaScaping World and our community, I’m proud to present the next issue of AquaScaping World Magazine.

In this issue, you’ll find a wide range of articles from trending news of aquascaping and events around the world like InterZoo 2012, the past Aquatic Gardener’s Association Convention, and Portugal’s Planted Tank Contest called AquarioScaping.

Our Aquascape in Focus for this issue comes from the San Francisco, California Aquascaper, Raymond Cogan and his “My Nemesis” layout. This layout encompasses a unique start called a “dry-start” method before submerging the layout in water.

Also, the Hagen Company continues to provide new and innovative aquarium systems to help hobbyists enter the world of planted aquariums and design. Their Fluval Edge series and the aquascaping potential is described in-depth by Australia's Jordan Ngoh, who has a unique opportunity to design multiple Edges at one time.

Finally, for anyone who is having difficulties keeping a planted aquarium, don’t fret, we’ve all been there. Shawn McBride continues his Beginner's Perspective series and shows us how patience and experience can translate into a better aquascaping adventure.

Happy Aquascaping everybody!

John Nguyen Editor in Chief AquaScaping World Magazine

2 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

4 AQUARIUM INDUSTRY: FROM HATCHERY TO FISH STORES An inside look of how aquarium fish make it from local hatcheries to a fish store near you. By Seetharam Rai and Ashwin Rai

10 AQUATIC GARDENERS ASSOCIATION CONVENTION A first hand recount of the Aquatic Gardeners Association Convention and things you can expect to see in the next 2012 Convention. By John Dinh

26 FLUVAL EDGE AQUARIUMS: UNLIMITED AQUASCAPING A showcase of Fluval Edge Aquariums and their potential. By Jordan Ngoh

26 AQUASCAPE IN FOCUS: MY NEMESIS This issue features Raymond Cogan’s My Nemesis. This aquascape develops under a dry start method before transitioning into a powerful aquascaping layout. By ASW Editior

36 BEGINNER’S PERSPECTIVE PART II The ups and downs of planted aquariums can be frustrating. However, with experience comes great satisfaction and success. By Shawn McBride

44 INTERZOO 2012 An all access pass to the happenings of Germany’s InterZoo 2012, an exclusive Interational Trade Fair Event. By Piotr Kierzkowski

52 AQUARIOSCAPING: PLANTED TANK CONTEST Portugal’s Aquafilia is now accepting entries to their AquarioScaping Planted Tank Contest. Find out more about the event and how to enter. By Hugo R. Silva

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 3 Aquarium Fish Industry From the Hatchery to the Fish Store

By Seetharam Rai and Ashwin Rai

4 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Aquarium Fish Industry From the Hatchery to the Fish Store

ave you ever wondered how aquarium fish H are breed and how the steps they go through before they reach the shelves in your local fish stores? B r o t h e r s Seetharam and Ashwin Rai, and their friend Ronald give us an inside look at their mass breeding facility, Aqua Bios located in Bangalore, India. They show us exactly how they breed stocks of fish ranging from Angel Fish, Koi, Gourami and various species. The amount of work involved in producing healthy fish for our fish stores, and ultimately our enjoyment might surprise you.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 5 Before we get into the details of your breeding facility, please tell us how you first got into the fish hatchery business.

I would like to introduce myself as Seetharam Rai, I am 29 years old residing in Bangalore, India. Well. I got into this hobby at the age of 8, because of my elder brother Ashwin Rai , I was totally into the hobby till I joined college after which I did not have the bandwidth to keep an aquarium, years passed by and the hobby took a backseat till 2007. My brother Ashwin’s obsession with hobby made him turn into a qualified professional in this sector and he went on to do his Graduation, Post Seetharam Rai, the head of Sales and Distribution of Ornamental Fish Farm Aquatic Biosystems Graduation and subsequently stands next to his planted aquariums. PhD in the field of Fisheries. What types of fish do you or we separate the eggs and Ashwin and his friend and college breed? hatch it separately after which the buddy Ronald went onto young ones are shifted to grow establish the Ornamental Fish We breed a large variety of out tanks. The young ones are Farm Aquatic Biosystems also our facility but we fed on a rich diet of live food called Aqua Bios for short in specialize in Angels and (Daphnia) 4 – 5 times a day. As Mangalore, India in 2007. I joined Gouramis. We constantly keep they grow we move them to a them as head of Sales and adding new varieties as and mixed diet. Distribution. Apart from that I when we are able to get hold of a They then reach a saleable have developed a keen interest in good strain. Breeding Tetras is size of 2 – 2.5 Inch (Body size) Aquascaping and still learning the our latest venture and have been within 45 days. Then they are fine art of creating great successful so far in all the trial packaged and shipped. aquascapes. breeding. We also have a program to All breeding pairs of fish are breed endemic fishes of India; It’s amazing to see aquarium housed in dedicated Glass the program is currently passion turned into a full Aquariums or Cement tanks underway with Puntius denisonii fledge business. Tell us about based on the suitability of the and Etroplus canarensis. This is your breeding facility. fish. primarily to reduce the pressure For example, our Angel on native fishes by wild fish The breeding facility is Brooders are housed in 36 (L) x collectors catering to the located 14 kilometers away from 15 (W) x 15 (H) Inches Glass international market. the heart of Mangalore City, and Aquariums. The aquariums are located in a peaceful place in the bare bottom and the filtration is The conservation program midst of nature. It is four acres in through a centralized filtration sounds very commendable. size which holds the hatchery, system to which a series of such May I ask where you get your grow out tanks, holding & tanks are connected. They are initial stock of fish to breed? conditioning tanks, quarantine fed three times a day on a mixed Are they caught from the wild? facility, Live Feed cultivation diet of live and dry food. Facility and packaging facility. Once they breed based on No, our stock of brooders are the ramp up of production not from the wild. They are required, we decide to let the procured from reputed national parents take care of the young and international breeders. ones for a period of 20 – 24 days

6 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER /O2008CTOBER 2012 Can you provide us with an overall picture of the hatchery process, from breeding the original stock, raising them, to packing and distribution

Procuring and Conditioning the Initial Stock of Brooders Once the brooders are procured from reputed breeders, we subject the fish to a quarantine program, where they are held for period of 3 -6 months in a facility far away from the farm complex. Initially the brooders are checked for parasites and fungal infections, based on the requirement suitable treatment is provided. Once they are free from These aquariums contain a brooding stock of Angels, Gouramis, Gold fish and tetra species in these pathogens, they are various stages of development. Spawning mops, slate and pots serve as spawning areas in the checked for signs of bacterial aquarium, whereas some tanks are bare bottom only. infections and incase any are observed moribund fish are sent feed diets. Once the brooders are and koi carp all the others are to the nearby lab to check the in prime they are used for bred in glass aquariums. These type of bacterial agent and breeding purpose (this applicable aquariums are typically three feet appropriate treatment is provided. for , koi carp, tetras, wide and are provided with In the near future we are gourami etc), but for cichlids and filtration system and aeration planning to check the brooders live bearers the same diet is systems. Usually for cichlids once for viral pathogens such as given. in three days 75% water iridovirus, KHV, EUS etc. The All cichlids are provided bare exchange is done and 10% daily. long term goal of the company is tanks for breeding; Angel fish are to produce specific pathogen free provided slates for spawning and Hatching and Raising the Stock (SPF) brooders and also other dwarf cichlids are provided Once the breeding is done, vaccinate the fish grown in our with pots or rocks. Tetras, the hatching takes place within farm against bacterial infections. goldfish, koi carp and barbs are 48 hrs and larvae take about T h e b r o o d e r s a r e bred using spawning mops. The three days to utilize the yolk conditioned on mixture live feed gouramis are given floating plants during this period they cling to the (blood worms, mosquito larvae, as a media to build nests. sides. Once they start to dart brine , daphnia) and dry With the exception of gold around, the feeding program

Angels Gouramis Cichlids Live Bearers Gold Fish Others Angels - Marble Gourami - Pearl Krebensis - Albino Mollies - Black Black Moor Coryadoras - Green Angels - Marble Veiltail Gourami - Moonlight Krebensis - Regular Mollies - Red Regular Gold Coryadoras - Albino Angels - Golden Veiltail Gourami - Golden Rami Raize Mollies - Silver Shubunkin Gold Chinese Paradise Angels - Snake Skin Gourani - Blue Oscars - Tiger Mollies - Golden Koi Carps Tiger Barbs Angels - Snake Skin Veiltail Gourami - Snow White Oscars - Albino Guppies - Pineapple Green Tiger Barbs Angels - Leopard Gourami - Dwarf Firemouth Guppies - Neon Cherry Barbs Angels - Koi Gourami - Red Neon Convict Cihlids Guppies - Albino Angels - Koi Veiltail Gourami - Blue Neon Half Beaks Angels - Platinum Gourami - Honey Platy - Mickey Mouse Angels - Zebra Platy - Sunset Platy - Black Platy - Spear Tail Swordtail - Red Swordtail - Pineapple

The Aquatic Biosystems Hatchery Facility breeds a number of fish species as listed in this chart. Angel fish and Gouramis continue to be their number one seller due to the hobbyist demand.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 7 These small outdoor breeding tanks are where the fish are kept until they reach a healthy size for harvest and distribution. Workers are seen sampling the tanks to check for growth. When the time comes, the fish will be placed into smaller aquariums to acclimate them to smaller spaces and higher fish densities. starts. Initially rotifer are given as Harvesting and Distribution Please tell us more about the feed for around ten days. Once Once the growing period is hatchery and the outdoor they are large enough, brine over, the fish are sampled to holding tanks. shrimp or daphnia is given as check the size and overall feed for the next 20 – 25 days conditions. If they meet the a The hatchery is 2400sq ft along with some dry diet. healthy harvesting size for their which is semi enclosed to After one month the larvae particular species they are then encourage the free air movement are moved outdoor growing tanks harvested and moved to holding and reduce the temperature. The (4mx4mx1m), where they are tanks and kept there for a period hatchery has over 200 aquariums grown for one to three months of ten days to acclimatize them to of 36 (L) x 15 (W) x 15 (H) Inches based on species. During this smaller spaces and higher fish mounted on steel racks. The period they are fed meat based densities. and dry diets, three times a day. Once conditioned, they are An average of twenty-fiver moved to small tanks where they percent water exchange are done are starved for a period of three daily and over eighty percent to five days before they are exchange every ten days. No packed and shipped to the clients water is reused in the facility to based on order. This is to keep our fish healthy. Our minimize the fish waste growing tanks are provided with produced during the shipment. aeration and there are plans to The packing is done with 1/3 put biofilters within these tanks. water and 2/3 pure oxygen, for some anesthetics and water This worker sorts the fish varieties according conditioners are used to enhance to size and specie. The fish will be moved to the travel conditions. small aquariums for ten days before distributing to fish stores around the world.

8 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER /O2008CTOBER 2012 water from a source is first settled for a day and then moved through a series of bag filters and then subjected to UV treatment. The water distribution in the hatchery is centralized and the water exchange is done with an auto siphon system in place. Aeration is also provided to each aquarium through a centralized system. The outdoor tanks are around 80 in number (4MX4MX1M), to which settled and filtered water is sent through a water distribution system and 10% water exchange is done through overflow system. At this Ashwin Rai (L) and his friend Ronald (R) began their company, Ornamental Fish Farm Aquatic moment there are no internal Biosystems in 2007. They are picture in front of their many outdoor holding tanks. filters only general aeration is provided. One can’t help but notice that The whole facility has been the larger tanks of the facility designed by civil engineers with are mainly outdoors. How do our consultation. The facility is you protect them from built to last over 50 years, the predators? design is such to maximize production, minimize work and Fish predators cannot enter increase overall efficiency. the breeding facility as it is an Apart from the grow out Indoor Facility. The grow out tanks there over 100 smaller tanks located outside in the open tanks for other purposes. The are covered with nets to prevent Recently harvested Koi Angelfish are held in this conditioning tank until they are ready to cement tanks we used are cured the birds. The nursery ponds are be packaged. over a 30 – 45 day period before cleared of predators with periodic we begin using them. use of soap-oil emulsion In your experience is the market for aquarium fauna Does your hatchery use How does the weather affect growing, remaining stable or aquatic plants to help enhance your hatchery? on seasons? stagnant? the breeding environment or water quality in your breeding There is no major impact of The hobby is growing very tanks? weather in this region (the temp fast in India and in the next few varies between 26-32 degrees years the demand is just going to We don’t keep aquatic plants centigrade except during the four increase. Our most popular unless it’s an essential part of the months of monsoon season. The variety that we breed is Angels breeding process. Seventy-five region is blessed with the best and the demand for that species percent of our tanks are bare climatic and water condition for remain steady. bottom, another fifteen percent this activity, the temperature As this demand increases for have gravel which is barely varies throughout the year aquarium fish in general, and predominantly used to house even during the rains, so there no people gather more knowledge Cichlids and the remaining ten change in the species we breed on the hobby they will be looking percent have plants which house throughout the year. During this out for quality fish to buy. That is tetras and similar varieties. In rainy season the growth is slow where we at Aqua Bios want to some outdoor ponds floating but in outdoor ponds no water make a difference, by providing plants have been provided to exchange is required as it rains high quality Ornamental Fish to reduce the effect of sunlight almost throughout the day. It’s the hobbyist. almost self sustaining during this time.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 9

AAquaticquatic GGardenersardeners AAssociationssociation

The AGA Convention is the premier event of the world.

10 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

AAquaticquatic ConventionConvention GGardenersardeners AAssociationssociation By John Dinh

wo years have passed since my first attendance to the AGA T Convention and low and behold, it was that time of year again. The Aquatic Gardeners Association 2010 Convention was held on the week of November 11-14, 2010 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. With my luggage packed, I was set to head my way down to the warm weather of southern Florida to enjoy a weekend with planted aquarium enthusiasts from all around the world. Like conventions in the past, Thursday was a day for hanging out in the hospitality suite meeting up new and old planted aquarium enthusiasts, bagging plants, and relaxing before beginning the fun weekend ahead. I made my way up to the hospitality suite to pick up my name badge, grabbed a few snacks to eat and met up with new and old friends. The AGA Convention is the premier aquatic plant event of the world.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 11 Florida Aquatic Nurseries Tour

After a big morning breakfast, we gathered in the lobby area and prepared for our trip to Florida Aquatic Nurseries (FAN) for a tour. I was excited for this event and thank you to AGA and FAN for being able to make this happen. If you do not know, FAN is the leading supplier of aquatic plants in the United States and is probably where most of our pet stores get their aquatic plants. Both of their facilities contained hundreds of plants in propagation, which ranged from pond plants to aquarium plants. Many types of lilies, Echinodorus, Cryptocorynes, and stem plants were found throughout. After spending most of the morning touring both facilities of the nursery, FAN was kind enough to provide us with Cuban lunch and also gave a presentation on Lily hybridization, which showcased some of their award winning lilies.

Inside the Florida Aquatic Nursery

12 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Dr. Michael Kane discuss tissue culture.

A Bud of Sagittaria Flower emerges from the tangles of patches.

Following the presentation a hands on workshop allowed par- ticipants to dissect and analyze plant tissues for themselves.

Tissue Culture Workshop with currently a professor and we were now able to get a hands- Dr. Michael Kane assistant chairman of on experience with attempting environmental horticulture at the our own tissue culture. Although After the FAN tour, we University of Florida. Dr. Kane I’ve had some prior knowledge on returned back to the hotel for a was also a convention speaker at tissue culture, I have not yet tried presentation given by Dr. Michael the AGA 2008 Convention where for myself, so this was a first time Kane on Plant Tissue Culture for he gave a similar talk on Tissue experience for me. the Aquarist: A Hands-on Culture for Aquarists. Experience. Dr. Michael Kane is Following the presentation,

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 13 plants, which may have contributed to many of his great aquascapes that he has accomplished throughout the years. To answer the question, what exactly is the Iron Aquascaper Competition? The Iron Aquascaper Competition is an event held at the AGA Convention where two aquascapers go head to head to create an aquascape right in front on you. ADG Iron Aquascaper ADG. However, Ciotti was not Both aquascapers were Competition able to make it to this year’s given an equally amount of convention, so another hardscape materials, aquatic Following the tissue culture Aquascaper was chosen to go plants, and to create an workshop was the Iron head to head with Frank. That aquascape in an ADA 60-P Aquascaper Competition hosted chosen one would be a great rimless aquarium. They were by Aquarium Design Group, friend of mine that I met at the given a one-hour time limit to another event of the weekend AGA 2008 Convention, Luis utilize their skill and experience in that I looked forward to. At the Navarro. aquascaping to create a display AGA 2008 Convention, the Luis is an experienced that will need to impress the reigning champion, John Ciotti planted aquarium enthusiast who judges and the audience. was to return back this year to has been in the hobby for quite a Now I must say that even the defend his title against the long time. He has an eye for most experienced aquascapers in challenger, Frank Wazeter of good layout design and usage of the hobby can have a difficult

14 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Luis Navarro and Frank Wazeter go head to head in the Iron Aquascaper Competition sponsored by the Aquarium Design Group (ADG). Each aquascaper has one hour to impress the judges and audience with a world class aquascape.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 15 time creating an aquascape that matches their skill and knowledge of aquascaping. Being in the spotlight with given only an hour, it sure isn’t an easy task as the pressure builds up. Needless to say, both combatants remain composed as they worked their way through until time was up. In the end, both combatants did a great job creating an aquascape given such a limited amount of time, hardscape materials, and plants to choose from. In a situation like this, these are the things to take in consideration when being on the other side of the aquarium and judging both aquascapes. I believe both aquascapers did an amazing job, however, in the end I gave my vote to Luis Navarro. His use of minimal plants and a creating a striking hardscape made an overall better composition. Frank’s aquascape Luis Navarro’s stone aquascape (top). looked great at the start, Frank Wazeter’s driftwood inspired aquascape (bottom). however, as he progressed, too

16 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 many plants were used and the today to photograph their avoid . Claus Christensen is placement of rocks in the aquariums. He has also written a a former executive for Tropica, foreground made it distracting. helpful article on Planted and is currently spending most of On the bright side, I do give Aquarium Photography with a his time traveling the world to my hats off to Frank Wazeter for Point and Shoot Camera, which I discover new aquatic plants. In putting up with the challenge and recommend reading if you are his talk, Claus emphasized many I look forward to see more work using one. He also covered times that the plants we see in from him. some tips on more advanced nature today may not be growing photography methods like using in optimal conditions, so therefore Leading Guest Speakers flash strobes to add more light to he suggested that we do not try

The AGA has done a great job of selecting experienced guest speakers for this year’s convention. There are a lot of aspects when it comes to keeping planted aquariums, and they have done a good job diversifying this year’s guest speaker line up presenting a range of different topics related to the planted aquarium hobby. This year’s guest speakers line consist of the following:

 Jason Baliban – Photography & Aquascaping Contest Preparation  Claus Christensen – How to Make Plants Happy & Avoid Jason Baliban presents advanced techniques in aquatic photography. Algae  Michael Kane – The Secret an aquarium for better photos. to mimic the conditions of where Lives of Amphibious Plants Other tips include cleaning glass, plants are found in nature.  Karen Randall – Modern taking out equipment, adding a Throughout the presentation, he Aquascaping Design lot of light, and using a hair dryer showed us many photos of the  Ghazanfar Ghori – to create the ripple effect. Near places he’s been and the Cryptocorynes the end of the presentation, condition of environment of plants Jason showed us some quick grown in those environments Jason Baliban – Photography Photoshop tricks he uses to throughout the year. & Aquascaping Contest slightly enhance his photos. Unfortunately, I was getting Preparation Although I have heard Jason give hungry and end up spending the this similar talk at the Aquafest next couple of hours going out It was early in the morning 2009, there is always something touring the city and then head my and sure enough most of us were new that I learn each time. way back just in time for probably tired from the day before. Unfortunately, Jason was Claus Christensen – How to Ghazanfar Ghori’s talk on first in line to begin the day with Make Plants Happy & Avoid Cryptocorynes. his presentation on photography Algae and aquascaping contest Ghazanfar is another friend preparation. Jason shared some This was the first time that of mind that I was fortunate tips and tricks on shooting with a I’ve met Claus, and was enough to also meet at the AGA point and shoot camera, which interested in hearing his talk on 2008 Convention. Ghazanfar may be what most people use how to make plants happy and Ghori is no stranger to the

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 17 Judges of the AGA 2010 Aquascaping Contest planted aquarium hobby, and Auction Day! Final Thoughts definitely not one to the crypt collectors. Most people would After the past couple days of First and foremost, I want to recognize him through his fun-filled events, the convention give credit to the board members experience with growing ended with an all day auction! and sponsors for making the Cryptocorynes. There were common to rare convention possible. There is a He has quite of a collection plants available for bidding and lot of work that goes into Cryptocorynes of which he not even some were released to the organizing and planning a only grows submersed or hobby for the first time at the convention like the AGA, and I immersed, but also through auction. Like at most auctions, a just want to say thank you for the tissue culture. In his presentation, lot of heavy bidding was at the all hard work that you guys do for he shared some background beginning and near the end; us to be able to expand our information on Cryptocorynes, plants were going for dirt-cheap! experience and knowledge in the and showed us some photos of And by cheap, I mean $1 cheap. I planted aquarium hobby at this places of where crypts can be end up winning some Rotala event. It was definitely a pleasure found. nanjenshen and Eleocharis to meet new people and also There are currently 55 flaverencis, a new plant released. catch up with old friends. species of Cryptocorynes and So here is a small tip, if it is not If you have never attended less than 10 of the 55 are being obvious already. Wait until the an AGA Convention, I highly commercially produced. He also end if you are on a budget to get recommend that you make plans shared what he uses to grow his great deals on plants. to attend one in the future. This is crypts followed by photos of his As the auction was coming a great event to meet up with freshwater and black water to an end, so was the weekend. other hobbyists, as well as learn setups. People were getting ready to and share our knowledge and pack their bags and head out on experiences on planted their way back home. aquariums. This was my second time attending the AGA

18 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Convention and I plan on making an appearance to more in the future. If you have missed this year’s convention, you’re not out of luck! The AGA is currently working on a DVD set that is available for purchase. I have received a copy of the AGA 2008 Convention DVD, and it always brings me back to the fun times. I highly recommend purchasing a copy to get a feel of what the convention is like. You will get a full coverage of the events that happened during the convention, and maybe some extra footage. Support the AGA! The next Aquatic Gardeners Association 2012 Convention is scheduled in St. Louis, Missouri on November 1 - 4, 2012.

For more information please visit: www.aquatic-gardeners.org www.aquascapist.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 19 Photo Credit http://www.fluvalblog.com/

20 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Unlimited Aquascaping Possibilities Fluval Edge Aquariums

By Jordan Ngoh

ntroduced in 2009, Hagen’s Introduction really good and I wanted to learn Fluval Edge Aquarium touts My Name is Jordan Ngoh, I how to grow more plants. While an all-in-one 3D aquarium am a 22 year old aquascaper searching, I found beautiful I system that has quickly from Melbourne, Australia in the pictures of aquariums by Takashi taken a steady foothold in the final year of a marine biology Amano and other great aquatic hobby for its innovative degree. Ever since I can aquascapers. From then on I modern design and integrated remember, my family has kept have been slowly accumulating equipment features. Fluval Edge aquariums and they have always knowledge about aquascaping aquariums offer six-sided views fascinated me as well as all and experimenting with different of the aquarium with water organisms associated with the plants and layouts. contained seamlessly from edge aquatic environment. When I was In 2011 I started working at to edge. In our aquascaping art, young I was always catching what I think is the best aquarium this element is a key feature in tadpoles and fish at the creek store in Melbourne, Subscape establishing unhindered realism near my house and coming into Aquarium. I am in charge of and focus on our layouts. contact with lizards, snakes, aquascaping and maintaining all The Fluval Edge appears water birds and all kinds of of the planted display tanks and I floating magically in the air as the animals. As I grew older I began gained a lot of aquascaping main aquarium sits on its to keep my own aquarium, experience in a very short pedestal. The hidden starting with goldfish and slowly amount of time because of the compartment for the built in filter changing to and then number of tanks I was setting up and lighting system only adds to into marine. for the shop and for clients. It was this floating illusion. When paired It was only in 2009 when I around this time when I setup my with a planted aquarium discovered aquascaping, I bought first “properly aquascaped aquascape, the possibilities of a pot of hairgrass for my aquarium” at home with designing beauty and natural aquarium and it started to grow pressurized CO2 and it was a aquatic landscapes within its and carpet. I thought it looked great success. It was an Iwagumi

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 21 Fluval Edge Aquarium displays at Subscape Aquarium in Melbourne, Australia. aquascape that ended up coming aquarium but there are a few material than is needed for the 3rd in the 60-120L category of challenges with setting up and finished aquascape. It is good the 2011 AGA International maintaining one of these tanks. practice to get a mixture of Aquascaping Competition. After different sizes of rock or wood, it that in 2012, my tanks and I were Limitations and Hardscape makes it a lot easier to create a filmed and interviewed for an By design, the Edge has only natural looking scape. Because aquascaping segment on an a small opening for access to the of the small opening in the top, it Australian television program inside of the tank. This limits the is necessary to test that all called “Better Homes and size of hardscape material that hardscape can fit, particularly Gardens”. can be used. It also means that wood which tends to be long and some water needs to be taken branchy. Often new aquascapers The Fluval Edge out prior to trimming, moving are so enthusiastic about setting Fluval Edge tanks have around hardscape, catching fish up their new tank and seeing it quickly become one of the most etc. so that it does not overflow. planted, that they do not spend popular aquariums because of its The sealed up top also means enough time thinking about and innovative design. It is particularly that upon filling the tank, air arranging the hardscape which is appealing because it appears to bubbles are trapped at the the foundation of the layout. It is be a completely sealed aquarium surface, but they are removed sad to say, but most tanks fail which allows for top down easily by a flexible brush bent at from the beginning. I always viewing of the aquascape. With 90 degrees (a trick from George make sure that I am 100% happy the light and filter hidden away in Farmer). with the dry layout before even the back, it has a very minimalist When setting the hardscape thinking about planting or filling look with nice clean edges and in a Fluval Edge (or any tank), the tank. In some cases I spend a barely noticeable silicon. They preparation is very important. I few days working on the are a great aquascaper’s always start with more hardscape hardscape to get it perfect.

22 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Lighting and Plant Choice for wedging between rocks and bushy look. After trimming, some The new LED lighting in the wood and makes a good zone moss found its way onto the Fluval Edge is a big improvement transition plant. wood and attached itself on its to the halogen bulbs from the old For height in the own, I think this adds to the Edge in terms of intensity and background, I usually use natural look of the aquascape. energy efficiency, but there are Cyperus helferi or Valisineria Crypts and Anubias nana grow in still some limitations to what species but you can also use the midground and between plants will thrive. I use mostly low some easy to grow stems like rocks and wood to transition light, slow growing plants in Hygrophilla species. These between zones. Cyperus helferi, Edges like , java fern, background plants are more a beautiful tall growing plant was Bolbitis and Cryptocorynes but I important in the taller 46L Edge, used along the back of the tank also use some more light the 23L might not even need behind the wood. After the initial dependant plants such as Blyxa background plants if the setup, all leaves with algae or japonica and Cyperus helferi in hardscape has enough height. leaves that melt were trimmed the centre where light is the most intense. Having the correct plant choice with an Edge is critical and can make or break the scape. Since most carpeting plants will struggle under the stock Edge lights, I use moss as an alternative. By tying moss to small flat rocks “Amano style” you can create effective ground cover which requires less trimming than the regular fast growing carpeting plants like Hemianthus callitrichoides ( H C ) , o r Glossostigma elatinoides and gives the aquascape a darker, jungle feel. Of course, I also like using moss in the conventional way tied to the branches of driftwood and it looks great when it has grown in. Cryptocoryne are an away. This is important in any excellent choice for Fluval Edges 46L Edge Scape new planted and promotes new and are probably my favourite For this tall tank, I decided to healthy growth. group of plants. They are very use Malaysian driftwood as the versatile and are great “fillers”. main hardscape with blue stone 23L Edge Scape Crypts work well in the mid- scattered around breaking up the For this aquascape, I wanted ground and between rocks. Crypt midground. Of course, symmetry to do a very minimalist Iwagumi species like balansae and is to be avoided so the style layout. In these scapes the retrospiralis can also be used as arrangement is weighted to the placement of the stones is the background plants and the low left side with the wood pointed at most important thing and for this growing parva can be used as a an angle towards the right. Since reason I spent more time than foreground plant. Plants like the tank is in an aquarium shop I usual on the dry layout. The five Bolbitis, java fern and Anubius was required to set it up quickly red rocks were arranged in a are also good mid-ground plants and I would have liked more time classic radial Iwagumi style using and can be attached to wood and to spend arranging the wood and the golden ratio. In this style the rocks. I mostly use java fern stone. angle of the stones, particularly species and Bolbitis on driftwood Small flat stones tied with the main stone is very important. to get that “bushy look” a bit moss were used in the I only wanted to use two higher up where crypts cannot be foreground and is trimmed about plant species in this aquascape used. Anubias nana is excellent once a month to maintain the to keep it simple to keep with the

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 23 46 liter Fluval Edge Aquarium offers twice the footprint for a larger aquascape at 43cm x 35cm x 59cm high. cm x 35cm x 59cm high

24 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 The 23 liter Fluval Edge Aquarium is 43cm L x 26cm W x 22.4cm high minimalist approach for this Conclusion providing a good structure for a layout. The foreground was left When aquascaping a tank (not minimalist-type layout like the above. bare with the white exposed just a Fluval Edge) there are and moss stones were placed almost always some limitations: around the rocks and in the budget, access to plants, access midground. Bright Blyxa japonica to hardscape material, size of the grows in the centre where the tank, lighting, CO2 and more. light is the strongest to contrast Working within these limits forces with the dark green of the moss you to think harder and plan and to compliment the radial rock things out better which I believe placement. makes for a more wholesome As for maintenance, this tank and effective aquascape. The gets a 50% water change every most important thing is one or two weeks and trace and preparation and research. potassium are dosed twice a week. The glass stays quite clean but is still wiped every two or three weeks and trimming is done whenever it is needed. It is quite a low maintenance setup compared to most of the other tanks featured as “Aquascapes of the Month”.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 25 Aquascape In Focus My Nemesis An Interview with Raymond Cogan

““MyMy NemesisNemesis,, onceonce thethe recipientrecipient ofof onlyonly jeers,jeers, becamebecame onlyonly praised.”praised.” -- Raymond Cogan

26 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Aquascape In Focus My Nemesis An Interview with Raymond Cogan

ur Aquascape in Focus is from San Francisco, California, O by Raymond Cogan. Entitled “My Nemesis” for a variety of reasons that you will find inside this article, this aquascape has its humble beginnings as a “dry-start” layout. The initial planting is done without water to allow the aquarium plants to develop and attached to the hardscape and driftwood. This particular method is not for the impatient type, and takes a certain diligence to apply effectively. Cogan takes us on a step by step journey as he shows us how he created this highly intricate layout.

““MyMy NemesisNemesis,, onceonce thethe recipientrecipient ofof onlyonly jeers,jeers, becamebecame onlyonly praised.”praised.” -- Raymond Cogan

SEPTEMBERJULY/O/ACTOBERUGUST 2012 AquaScaping World 27 Raymond Cogan and his ADA 90p aquascape entitled “My Nemesis”.

Igniting a Passion stop in at AquaForest just to gaze team featuring over fifty members at the many impeccable scapes within my first year of racing. As Like almost anyone else in on display right before hitting up a 401c3 non-profit, we raised the hobby, I have always been a an overpriced movie in a very funds and awareness for organ nature lover. Whether I was comfortable chair. and tissue donation which hiking up Mount Tam or racing My grandmother was an coincides nicely with my job as my bicycle in small, desolate aquarist as well, and I grew up an organ transplant analyst. cities all across California, I marveling at her tanks. Sure, Not surprisingly, I got into always thrived and felt most those tanks were comprised of aquascaping with a similar type comfortable outdoors. So, it colorful gravel and no plants to of vigour. During the first few seemed only natural for me to speak of, but her passion was years, I always had 5 or 6 tanks want to bring that type of always there. One day, after my going at any one time, and with tranquillity inside with me, and second trip to AquaForest on the seemingly endless mediums with that is where aquascaping same Saturday, I decided that I which to work, I quickly realized planted aquariums narrows the wanted to continue her legacy. how well this hobby might feed gap. So, after talking awhile with my curiosity for all things nature. Lucky enough to live in San George Lo, owner of AquaForest Soon, I joined my local aquatic Francisco, I first became and aquascaper extraordinaire, I plant society, the San Francisco enchanted by aquascapes while jumped all in with an ADA 90p. Bay Area Aquatic Plant Society frequenting a local planted Quite the beginner tank! (SFBAAPS) and did everything I aquarium store called Anyone who knows me at all could to soak up knowledge AquaForest Aquarium in also knows that I can come off as about aquatic plants, if only so I Japantown. The Kabuki was a a bit obsessive. When I first got could respond to my fellow regular Saturday night date night into racing bicycles, for example, aquatic plant lovers with due for me, and we would always I became president of a new race colloquialism.

28 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Scaping a new tank was all I Establishing the Hardscape that looked a little bit like one big thought about in the early days, rock, but with plants and moss and everything was secondary to The hardscape, comprised growing from the cracks. I hope the flora. Fauna? Who needs mostly of Yamaya and river rock, that I was mostly able to 'em! These days, however, is both bought and found. Some accomplish this. nothing fuels my passion quite were harvested beneath the The branch wood is present like inverts do. I have so many steep cliffs at the near my for many reasons. It ties the two breeding projects going on right apartment, but I foraged for most rock formations together to create now, and for my latest of them in Yosemite National flow, it provides a natural place aquascape, I needed something Park. Is that legal? I don't for the hydrocotyle to continue its suitable to raise a healthy colony know, but I decided to plead endless crawl, but most of all, the of pure red lines. Most ADA ignorance at the time as I filled tannins released in the water show tanks are not such my trunk with fascinating looking further creates the type of PH creatures as you know. rocks. I had to be careful not to environment I was aiming at for With no room left in my pick rocks that would clash too my delicate invertebrates. But in apartment for new tanks, this much in color, but I was given an a simpler context, I imagined the aquascape was going in the out considering the mini pellia the Crystal Red Shrimp (CRS) bedroom so it also needed to be and hydrocotyle coverage crawling across the wood from attractive. The Mrs. calls this present so I wasn’t overly one “mountain” to the other, and tank “My Nemesis” and was none concerned. Above everything just thought that made sense. too pleased at first to find out that else though, the aquascape a new tank would be constructed needed to look natural. Dry-Start Method “ in the bedroom!?!” I have noticed that it is hard Begrudgingly, and over the for some to establish the size of The Dry-Start method is a several months she’s watched this tank at a glance while way to allow aquatic plants to this still quite young tank develop, contemplating it in pictures. At grow and attach to driftwood and however, “My Nemesis”, once the least, it used to be that way hardscape materials, prior to recipient of only jeers, became before it began to really fill in. I filling the aquarium with water. It only praised. stacked large rocks in a half is very similar to starting an circle along the back, filled the emersed setup. Aquascaping Design Goal open space with Akadama as if I To start the dry planting were pouring sand into an abyss, method, first, I took two 2x2 inch Obviously, I was going for an and then added three more portions of mini pellia, ripped it especially mountainous generous rocks on top, closely into shreds by hand, and just aquascape, but I was not trying to knit together. The attempted dropped on the surface. Then, I mimic a terrestrial mountain illusion was to create a focal point took one more 2x2 inch portion range. Rather, I wanted something that looked quite aquatic in nature. Dimension was an important factor to consider, and a dynamic range of levels was always kept in mind. My inspiration was simple: Create the most inspiring “shrimp scape” possible. This tank is low light, low maintenance, and almost no fertilizers. If I yanked the CO2 away tomorrow, the plants would do just fine. I keep the CO2 in place, however, and at such low levels, to keep the PH low and steady for the inverts. Running it 24/7 has yielded the best results for fellow club members who have bred Crystal Red Shrimp. Fragments of Mini Pellia (Riccardia sp.) attach to rocks during the early dry-start phase of the

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 29 Early beginnings of the dry-start layout in March 2012. Plastic is used to cover and retain moisture for the recently planted mosses and Mini pellia.

Approximately one month into the layout’s growth, the mosses and Mini pellia are taking a foothold on the driftwood and rocks.

30 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 perpendicular lines created with the meadow was much more important to the overall success of the aquascape.

Unusual challenges

An unusual challenge in this aquascape is the lack of fertilizer. I need the keep the TDS at 150 or lower, and these inverts just don't appreciate nitrates much either. Most of included species are very hearty plants, but there is only so much fertilization deprivation they can handle. The Anubias nana “petite”, for In April 2012, the layout was “flooded” with water to begin the full development of the aquascape. example, still grows, although and did the same to the branches Designing the Layout starkly yellow up the inside of the and rocks sometimes just main rock on the right. However, pressing the moss between my I wanted some dramatic it blends in nicely with the hydro thumb and the moist wood so it depth in this aquascape, and and still manages to complement would adhere. I also did the creating a very vertical formation the aquascape. As you can same to one portion of fissidens, toward the front of the tank (only see, mosses are no worse for the placing that on two sides of three inches on the far left from wear. They stay lush and green vertical rock. rock to glass) contrasted along with the ferns, even in For lighting, I used my dual nicely with the open space these conditions. TrueLumen Pros, but “meadow” that flows from center- With such a heavily planted supplemented this with a 150w front to back- left. In reality, if I tank, I knew that I had to keep my metal halide with an ADA bulb. I had just one more large, filtration high so that I could was definitely pumping in the par. appropriate rock, the three inch minimize my water changes, Another challenge that I space would have carried on thereby preventing the type of faced, and was luckily well almost all the way up to the water water fluctuations that CRS can't familiar with from a previous dry line. stand. That's why I employ a pre start was “How do you get As this is a low tech scape -filter, a canister filter, an HOB delicate mosses to not dry up into overall, trimming is a breeze in filter, a sponge filter (mostly for nothing during a dry start when this tank. Low light plants and beneficial bacteria and food for placed on branches under heavy mosses mean that my baby ), and a Purigen light?” Normally, just covering maintenance is quite minimal, reactor. The Purigen keeps the with clear plastic wrap is not another goal reached. Coming water crystal clear and gives me going to work very well. from someone who has grown his peace of mind. The pre-filter For that reason, I came s h a r e o f G l o s s o s t i g m a means I will only have to open up prepared with a repti-fogger elatinoides tanks, this element the canister filter once per year which I ran 24/7 for all 7 weeks of was mandatory for me. for easy maintenance. the process. I had to drain the As for the “rule of thirds”, I'm The final challenge for a tank water from the substrate every an artist by nature, having been a like this comes in the form of blue morning with a turkey baster, and book cover designer for a green algae, which of course, is fill the fogger every evening with national press for almost a not an algae at all, but distilled water. This kept the decade, and now a web designer . For that reason, I humidity extremely high, and my as well. The challenge for me is have had to dose Maracyn in this mosses repaid me with rapid, usually the same. Know the rules tank which kills it off in lush growth. well, then try to break them while approximately 5 days, but I will As intensive as the start of still managing to create an always have to look out for it this tank was, I knew how well I intriguing design with symmetry. most likely. The lack of nitrates would be rewarded later with low My focal point rock is still at is typically what causes such an maintenance. 2/3rds, for example, but the imbalance.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 31 “’It's all been done before.’ ‘Another iwagumi?’

Nonsense. These are the words of shallow thinkers.”

32 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 “My Nemesis” is a 180 liter aquascapes constructed in an ADA 90p aquarium providing an abundance of aquascaping space for the aquatic plants and hardscape.

Final Thoughts who simply love grazing on sand. If you are in this hobby long In fact, all my best macro shots of enough, you will likely be forced This is one of the more shrimp are done against this very to endure plenty of tired voices challenging but also satisfying light background, and right in echoing similar sentiments... “the aquascapes I've been able to front of the tank. scape is dead.” “It's all been implement. I planned this out in If I had any advice for done before.” “Another the shower, the car, while walking new aquascapers it would be that iwagumi?” Nonsense. These to work, while talking with friends, research is your best friend. Be are the words of shallow thinkers. and sometimes even in my more a fanatic about reading those As long as there is a love for lucid dreams. If you contemplate messageboards, scouring for nature present, one can always nature enough, I think that the articles about fauna and flora, find magic in the nuance that is a inspiration will end up paying and even reading all the ADA planted tank. Do these same dividends in your designs. Some books that have been published. people take a walk in the woods people have questioned the sand If you combine your heavy and exclaim, “but these trees... element in this tank which has research with a thoughtfulness they are all the same. And they become a signature in most of toward what you regularly are just like the trees from a my scapes. Would the scape be stumble upon in nature, you will thousand years ago!”? Embrace stronger or weaker without it? I eventually create something subtly and that is the true key to a can't say for sure. However, this magical. Anyone can do that terrific, enduring piece. was another element I felt good with enough due diligence. about for the sake of the inverts

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 33 My Nemesis

Dimensions: 90cm x 45cm x 45cm (ADA 90p) Plant List Microsorum pteropu (Trident Java Fern) Volume: 180 liters Rotala rotundifolia 'Green' Light: Two TrueLumen Pro LEDs at 8000k Fissidens fontanus Photoperiod: 8 hours, set on a dimmer for around 75%. Riccardia sp. (Mini pellia) Substrate: Double-Red Line Akadama Bolbitis heudelotii Fertilization: 1/16th teaspoon of K2SO4 3x per week Hydrocotyle verticillata ¼ teaspoon KNO3 once per month Anubias nana ‘petite’ C02: Pressurized C02 1 bubble per second Fauna Caridina multidentata Caridina cantonensis sp. affinis

34 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Fauna Caridina multidentata Caridina cantonensis sp. Otocinclus affinis

SEPTEMBERJULY/O/ACTOBERUGUST 2012 AquaScaping World 35

A Beginner’s Perspective Part II

36 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 NoNo amountamount ofof knowledgeknowledge oror highhigh techtech equipmentequipment cancan replacereplace experience.experience.

By Shawn McBride

n the last article I described make that goal a reality. With a substrate. I would not how I came to be interested limited budget for an recommend exclusively using this in aquascaping and my first experimental tank I would have to method. The laterite turned I small steps towards use the lighting already owned. muddy, clouded the water Perspective learning how beautiful scapes are Plants would be purchased considerably and was difficult to created. The article detailed locally, substrate work. Despite the delving into the wealth of and CO2would be inferiority of this information available, the many DIY. The 37 gallon substrate I Part II extraordinary individuals who are tank was eventually managed to clear more than willing to share their going to become the water with a own knowledge and experience the high tech scape number of frequent with beginners, and the and an older 20 water changes. reasonable expectations of a gallon tank would I planted a beginner. be used as the small variety of Through the process of experimental species from my reading and asking questions, I planted tank. The local fish store. I realized that I needed to gain experimental tank was still naïve to some experience in order to would go through the conditions eventually build a high tech m a n y plants generally aquascape. No amount of transformations as I require in terms of knowledge or high tech acquired more CO2, light, and equipment could replace equipment, learned nutrients. I did not experience. more and then pick plants The next logical step into the applied that according to the hobby was to build a practice or knowledge or equipment to the conditions I would have inside the experimental tank. I needed to tank. tank. Part of this was intentional learn how to grow plants The first of many more as I wanted to see what I could effectively. One very important decisions was what to use as a get to grow well and what step in beginning a planted substrate. Not wanting to wouldn’t. The following plants aquarium or aquascape is to dedicate too many resources to occupied my first tank in the define your goals. What exactly this experimental tank, since beginning: Aponogeton ulvaceus, do you want to accomplish? The much of my finances would be Echinodorus argentinensis, answer to that question can lead directed at acquiring the Sagitarria subulata, Ophiopogon you in the direction of the necessary equipment for the high japonicas, Microsorium pteropus, necessary equipment, lighting, tech scape, I decided to mix and Ceratopterus thalictroides. In substrate, fertilizing routine, laterite from the local fish store the beginning of this project, I plants, and fauna needed to with gravel and use this as the used Seachem flourish as a

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 37 flow of the filter would push the bubbles down. My bubble rate was modest at best as the air barely trickled out of the , so an accurate bubble count was not possible. At this point I measured success by observing if I saw plants pearling, this would be my evidence of improved growth, and I saw no improvement as I saw no pearling. Pearling is generally used by aquatic plant keepers to determine if is taking place. “Pearling” is the accumulation of oxygen gas, a byproduct of photosynthesis, on the leaves. DIY CO2 was a frustrating venture for me and I finally gave in, shortly after opening the cap near the aquarium thinking I had DIY CO2 setup was quickly replaced with a pressurized CO2 unit to ensure consistent gas injection into the water column. no pressure only to have a “mist” of yeast mixture spray onto me, source of fertilizer and did not before the yeast would die. I used the room, and into the tank. dose any sort of CO2. My lighting standard store bought yeast, Luckily it didn’t smell too bad, like consisted of two 18 watt T-12 champagne yeast would have a bakery, but was a hassle to bulbs, which were quite old. With been ideal. An airstone is an clean. By this time I had acquired this setup began my pursuit of inefficient way to administer CO2 the CO2 system to be used on the mystical “pearling” of which I into an aquarium. I tried several the high tech tank and decided to had heard a great deal. ways to spread the CO2 into the implement it into the practice Needless to say I saw little system, I placed the airstone aquarium since my final goal was growth. The amazon sword held inside of my han on the back to use that system to build a onto its emergent leaves for a (HOB) filter, hoping the beautiful high-tech scape. I did very long while. The plants circulation would improve not plumb in the reactor since I appeared to be frozen in time. I dissolve rate. I placed the did not yet have a canister filter. I continued to read and research airstone under the outlet of the connected the pressurized CO2 ways to improve my system. I HOB filter, and then finally on the system to the airstone and knew I wanted to add CO2, but front of the aquarium glass so the watched as bubbles finally were didn’t like the idea of dosing Seachem excel exclusively. I decided to build a DIY fermentation CO2 setup. The materials consisted of CO2 hose, a one liter aluminum water bottle, and an airstone. I drilled a hole into the top of the water bottle cap, inserted the airline, and sealed with silicone. In hindsight, I can identify some issues with this system. For example, the one liter bottle was not large enough to generate the amount of CO2 necessary and did not allow for much accumulation of alcohol Additional lighting was added to the setup to increase lighting and photosynthesis among plants.

38 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 emitted in a satisfying burst. After a couple days I was again puzzled why I did not see this pearling business going on inside of the tank. I had pressurized CO2. I began to look at other reasons for lack of growth and production. The first thought was inadequate lighting. I did not want to spend money on a new lighting system as I was still in the process of trying to figure out what kind of lighting I would need for my high-tech aquarium, a process that took months to finalize, by the way. I decided to add more light by adding another old fixture with a new bulb. I added another 18 watt 6500k daylight T12 bulb, still no pearling. What now? I had recently received my order of aquasoil for my high-tech tank and after setting up my initial hardscape for that aquarium I decided to use the leftovers in my experimental tank. Removing the plants wasn’t difficult and when doing so I found more evidence of poor growth. Many of the plants had limited root structure after two months. The Aponogeton ulvaceus had barely grown from its bulb and remained much the same as when I had purchased it. Removing the gravel and laterite mess was another story, but soon accomplished and the aquasoil was added along with a large Seiryu stone which remained from the set of stones I had purchased from Aqua Forest Aquarium. I also added a bunch of Rotala indica, Carolinia combamba, and Eleocharis acicularis. I was proud of my first planted tank that looked more like 2 The CO diffuser placed directly underneath a current helps circulates the carbon gas throughout what a planted tank should look the aquarium. like, however the pearling still eluded me. alternative to add more light. expensive, but LED lighting itself I returned to lighting, after While researching lighting was not in other forms. hearing so much about how T5 systems for my high-tech tank I I searched Ebay and found a lighting is necessary. I was not discovered LED lighting and its LED light bar, which claimed to going to purchase a T5 fixture, possible applications in aquarium have the equivalent output as but searched for a cheap plant keeping. Fixtures were very 150 watts. It was cheap, so I

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 39 Initial Planting

Two Weeks Later

Growth over two weeks under more lights and increased injection.

40 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 purchased it. Once placed above the often heard watts per gallon behavior and plant growth, which the tank and turned on, the rule of thumb would imply. could clue me in to adequate difference was astonishing. The I did not believe my problem levels of CO2. tank looked much brighter and to be a lighting issue as I hadn’t I adjusted my CO2 by definitely resembled daylight had algae before nor plant watching the fish for stress, this much more closely than the dim growth, so I looked to the other was done slowly over the course fluorescent bulbs. two sources, inadequate CO2 or of several days. Anytime I saw As most people who are new poor nutrients. Since having my fish swim to the surface and and have limited experience who added ADA aquasoil, which is remain there gasping I knew my add more light, I soon found I rich in nutrients, I was leaning CO2 level was at stressful level was growing algae quite towards CO2 as a means of and I either turned it off or turned effectively and not plants. Green targeting the algae outbreak. it down. I eventually ended with 2 spot algae, cladophora, and Clearly, the airstone was not bubbles per second. I brown brush algae primarily cutting it. The bubbles were much programmed my CO2 to turn on a dominated the aquarium. Due half hour before the lights to the extensive amount of and turn off one hour prior reading I had expected an “Light is the throttle, CO2 the oil, and to the lights shutting off. algae outbreak at some point nutrients the gas. The engine does not Eventually I saw the algae due to my inexperience with run without these working together.” begin to fade. The only planted aquariums. algae eating fauna with in Remembering several articles the tank was a single Otto, and comments from others too large to effectively dissolve or so it was the improved flow and regarding the relationship mist plants with useable CO2. I CO2 distribution that caused this between light, CO2, and nutrients, broke down and purchased a Do- result. I also began to see I began to think of how I could Aqua disc diffuser and later consistent pearling. An effective solve my algae problem. Tom added a canister filter for CO2 system is where I would Barr has emphatically stated that improved flow. recommend investing your hard nutrients do not cause algae, Many people use drop earned money. Lighting, most algae problems are caused checkers to monitor their CO2 substrate, and fertilizer can be by misuse of CO2 (either unstable levels, but for this tank I did not done effectively for less than or inadequate levels). He is also, want to rely on a piece of many may believe. as are many others “in the know”, equipment since I wanted to learn The lesson I took away from proponents of less light than what what to see in terms of fish this experience was a simple

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 41 First attempts at creating an aquascape design using stone and driftwood arrangements.

analogy I like to use: Light is the to manage the other aspects. throttle, CO2 the oil, and nutrients The experimental tank has the gas. The engine does not run gone through a number of without these working together. transitions while I learned. It has Without a proper balance of seen plants come and go, these elements one will get poor hardscape change, equipment growth of plants, and more than added and removed, in doing so I likely, excellent algae growth. had begun to gain the experience Again, this is why less light for needed to start my first true high- beginners is a great idea. It will tech aquascape. However, it allow for any easier time learning would be naïve of me to think that

42 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 tackling the problems with this Beginners must be aware how fauna, my arch-nemesis staghorn first practice run would mean the end result is accomplished algae, an “alien” invader, and there would be no struggles with and to have realistic expectations hopefully ending with a scape the next step. Indeed there have in order to trudge through the worthy of competing in the been struggles, but I understand setbacks. There will be setbacks. Aquascaping World Competition. the challenges, the possible In my next article I will share solutions much better because of my struggles and lessons from the first planted aquarium. Many my high-tech aquarium, some are of us continue in the hobby similar to the usual CO2, light, because we enjoy the process as and nutrients balance, while much as the final result. others involve struggles with

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 43 InterZoo 2012 Nürnberg, Germany International Trade Fair

44 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 InterZoo 2012 Nürnberg, Germany AA ShortShort AquaticAquatic StoryStory byby PiotrPiotr Kierzkowski,Kierzkowski, InternetInternet AquariumAquarium TelevisionTelevision DefiniteAquascapeTVDefiniteAquascapeTV

By Piotr Kierzkowski

ntil recently my knowledge about the InterZoo pet fair in U Nürnberg, Germany, was very limited. It seemed to me that this event is something special, available only for "big guys", not for a mere mortal human being like me. Well, as usual in such cases, I was partially right, and partially wrong.

Fish & Company, or a little bit of introduction

It's true that InterZoo is something special - it's actually the largest pet trade fair in the world. The 2012 edition attracted more than 1500 exhibitors from more than 50 countries. There were 9 large exhibition halls, with total display area of more than 100 000 square meters, and more than 38,000 visitors. The scale of this event is really amazing, and it takes almost a whole day just to walk around all halls. The fair is not only about aquarium products - all pets are in scope, starting from horses, dogs and cats, and ending on terrarium insects, or even on macroalgae (if you want to treat algae as "pets"). Aquarium fish fall somewhere in between, and

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 45 “What could fish-oriented people see at the InterZoo 2012 fair?

Immersible LED lamp manufactured by the Tunze company.

“The age of LEDs is coming, and fast”

are well represented. It's also true that InterZoo is not available for everyone - only trade visitors are accepted, like mass-market The largest of the InterZoo 2012 fair, at the booth of the De Jong Marinelife buyers, distributors, retailers, and company. other qualified professionals. The last category encompasses also but I think that in the whole equipment would be all the stuff journalists - and this is how I was gigantic exhibition area of for marine aquariums - protein able to get in, getting press InterZoo I saw only two HQI skimmers of all sizes were the accreditation for my internet lamps - both were hanging over most visible, if not the most aquarium television. the aquariums at the booth of numerous. One could also notice Aqua Design Amano that most aquariums displayed at Can you shed some LED light Deutschland. There were the fair were marine tanks, on a plastic decor in this probably more HQI's around, probably because it might be marine setup, please? especially over marine tanks, but I didn't look for them specifically. What could fish-oriented Anyway, the age of LEDs is people see at the InterZoo 2012 coming, and fast. Some technical fair? The shortest answer would solutions for LED illumination be: "mostly equipment". And were really ingenious, like the among equipment - mostly waterproof, immersible lamps, illumination. LEDs, LEDs, LEDs - displayed by the Tunze company. everywhere, in any possible form. The second best Artificial aquarium decorations – driftwood I didn't make any exact counts, represented category of replicas by Aneka Tirta Surya company

46 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Anubias Company Exhibits

Large planted aquarium at the booth of the Anubias company.

ADA Deutschland Exhibit One of small planted aquariums at the booth of the Anubias company easier and faster to set up a good looking than a good looking . The third most popular category would be artificial decorations for aquariums, and artificial plants. Some replicas of driftwood and rocks were really good, and would be very useful in setting up large aquariums or in zoological gardens.

Scape it right! One of the planted tanks at the booth of the Aqua Design Amano Deutschland company. Of course, there were also numerous "real" planted Deutschland, and Tropica (in Another good place to aquariums, scattered all over the alphabetical order). The Tropica's admire planted aquariums was exhibition area. In my opinion the booth was designed in a very the booth of the Eheim company, best of them were displayed at educational way, with detailed with about 15 various tanks. To the booths of the companies descriptions provided for each of me the most interesting technical Anubias, Aqua Design Amano the aquariums. feature here was the design of

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 47 Tropica Booth Exhibits

One of the 325-liters planted tanks at the booth of the Tropica company.

Among the many aquascapes, this “alien” aquascape caught my eye for its unique black stones reminiscent of the Sado coastline.

Another planted aquarium at the booth of Tropica – a very good detailed description is visible below the tank.

48 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 Eheim Exhibits

One of the planted aquariums at the booth of the Eheim company.

Two aquascapes, the “Hill” and “Wedge” layouts are positioned together to create a jarring contrast yet provides a unique complement to one another.

Another Eheim's planted aquarium, in one of the Incpiria tanks.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 49 Eheim's Incpiria aquariums feature a innovative way of concealing lighting behind higher side walls, as shown.

The aquarium at the Juwel's company booth, with Notropis chrosomus fish.

One of the rocky layouts at the booth of the Schieferberg company.

50 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 The Euro 2012 football championship aquarium at the booth of the AquaEl company. the Incpiria aquariums (yes, The Schieferberg company interesting things to see at written with "c") - instead of booth contained similar layouts InterZoo 2012. However, in terms having conventional hoods, these with large stones and not many of aquascaping there may be aquariums have higher walls, plants. other places to go. InterZoo is with upper part concealed by the Another tank with interesting the best place to go when you veneer, and are covered by hardscape was located at the want to feel the heartbeat of the pieces of black glass, sliding AquaFlora's company booth - modern pet industry, to see the easily along supporting bars. however, it was not a biotope latest trends, and to meet Coming back to aquascapes layout at all. Other aquariums people from all over – one of the tanks displayed by were also made rather for the world. After all, where else Juwel might be an example of a entertaining visitors than fish, like would you have the opportunity to biotope aquarium - large, round the tank at the booth of the Polish talk with German aquascapers, pebbles on the bottom simulated company AquaEl, inspired by the Sri Lankan fish exporters, the habitat of a stream, where Euro 2012 football championship. Ukrainian LED manufacturers, Notropis chrosomus fish live. There were dozens of other Taiwanese moss growers, and Polish aquarium journalists in the same day?

For videos about the InterZoo please visit::

http://definiteaquascape.tv/

Interesting hardscape in one of the planted aquariums at the booth of the AquaFlora company.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 51 AquarioScaping

Planted Tank Contest

Syrah Planura by Filipe Oliveira

52 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquarioScaping

Planted Tank Contest

By Hugo R. Silva

he online board Aquariofilia.net was created on the 16th of T March 2003, at precisely 11:07am by João Branquinho. The site was quickly adopted by several personalities and entities. Thus began the biggest gathering of information about the aquarium hobby in Portuguese. Our community debates and exchanges aquascaping ideas so that we help each other improve our aquascaping and aquarium keeping abilities. Naturally, over time, Aquariofilia has seen a significant growth in quantity and quality of planted aquarium layouts made by our Portuguese members. Every two years, the board has the privilege to organize an event to celebrate its birthday. In all of them, we invite people with renowned knowledge in both freshwater and saltwater aquaria, and they often provide an aquascaping demonstration and workshop at the event. In past

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 53 54 AquaScaping World SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 years, we have had several significant aquascaping artists including , Oliver Knott, Tom Barr and Jordi Pelegrí. Portuguese Aquascaping has experienced a large increase in popularity and achievement these past few years. With the appearance and acknowledgment of several Portuguese artists, especially the works of our colleague and friend Filipe Oliveira (FAAO), there has been a sharp increase in new aquascapers and hobbyist drawn into this aquarium art form. This year, a friend and member of the board gave us a challenge... "Since there's The next step was to define We gladly received several nothing going on to promote the rules of the contest. Here, we supports for this contest, namely aquascaping, and it's a little got to the conclusion that it would BioAquaria, SAP, AquaHobby, stagnant in Portugal, how about be best to have just one Aquastation, and Wate[R] making a contest?" category, so we created the Evolution. The board management criteria for that category. We've decided to extend the team thought it through and final date for participation so that accepted the challenge. The  The theme is planted tanks people that want to create team was motivated the end goal only. something specific for this of inviting widespread  Shops can participate with contest have enough time to do participation and increasing the pictures of their aquariums it. This way, the final date is popularity of aquascaping. (shop exhibition aquariums Sunday, 4th of November 2012. So, we got our hands dirty can only participate on the To participate, please he photos and got to it! And shop's behalf) must be sent to AQUARIOSCAPING was born.  The file format/extension [email protected]. AquarioScaping is a contest must be jpeg, jpg or png. of planted aquariums, based on  You can (and you should) photos. The contest management send light/color adjusted For more information, please is the responsibility of the team photos but it has to be visit www.Aquariofilia.Net. that manages the online board accompanied by its original Aquariofilia.net, represented by (for us to know what its founder João Branquinho. adjustments there were to the Quickly, we got to the photo) conclusion that if we wanted  You must also send a picture something well done and with with the participant and interest, we would have to have aquarium in the same photo. awards; and so we did. We have managed a total of €1.000 With all of this, we really between the first three winners want to promote and encourage (€500 for the 1st place, €300 for aquascaping in Portugal, as well the 2nd place and €200 for third as market the dynamic art of the place). Next, we had to have aquarium hobby. Our main goal judges; internationally renowned is to promote the hidden talents for their knowledge and of that exist in Portugal in the art of unquestionable value. planted Aquariums.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 AquaScaping World 55 www.aquascapingworld.com