View Full Version : Planted tank or planted aquascape?
Just an opinion:
I regard a planted tank as a tank with plants aranged in no particular order.It can be one or several plants,with a bunch of differnt fish species.
With no plan or any order.
Then you have an planted aquascape,plants are selected before anything is setup,fish,usely a single specie of tetra or rasbora is selected to compliment the plants.Everything is then planted and aranged in a specific way or plan that has been decided before hand.Amano-style or what ever you want.
My question is,who on this forum does aquascaping?
I know Solex69 is about to aquascape his 1.2m this weekend. He's been planning it for AGES - hence the relocation of most of his fish. His plans sound awesome.
Has he done aquascaping before?Any pictures?
Gert Combrink
07-06-2009, 19:30
Naaaaahh... not realy!
He's just rambling scientific plant names like nursery rhimes... and stick some green cuttings in some well prepared substrate/ sand or whatever...
He's got no mentor in prof Dirk or other plant geeks like Phill and others...
He's smoking Co2 or something...
But apparently his tanks look great with hundreds of diffrent plants.
I think he is also trying to redo a 1.2 or something... this guy has got too much time!
practicing on other members tanks etc!
Relax just a joke!
Dale is a dear friend and he know his stuff! ...Or know where to get info!
Here I go again...
I'm gonna get Moerd!
Ps read his treads on this forum and others!
Afroduck Hails!
RUNNNN Gert......RUN like you've never run before :)
Hi Rudi - dont think I quite agree on the aquascaping description. I would say any tank where the plants are laid out to a plan is aquascaped.. The fish species would have no bearing..
Be that as it may - Dale "Aquascaped" our 2m and it is already starting to look awesome. The plant growth is almost discernable daily and I think the end result will be brilliant.
Thanx again Dale. Those RED thingies at the back have added about 20cm since last weekend..!!!!
Gert Combrink
07-06-2009, 19:36
Sien jy daardie stofstreep... ek's 2 myl voor dit!
Sien jy daardie stofstreep... ek's 2 myl voor dit!
Hahaha!
Yip, Dale did an AWESOME job on our tank!
My definition of aquascaping is just designing/planning a tank before hand, then you go about actioning your plan for your soon-to-be tank in order to make it a reality. So, anybody can actually aquascape a tank...just takes a bit of planning on your side and then trying your best to get it the way YOU like it & have planned it, not somebody else's preference.
Re my other 1.2m, I think it is just crap at the moment even though others like it. Plants aren't laid out to my liking: too many fish in there hence they are being given away, substrate develops algae on it, diatoms as well, lack of enough substrate, sump isn't operational, suffered from BBA, not enough wood in the tank, Side leak into the overflow, etc etc. So yah, you can see why I'm not particularly happy with this tank. Once I redo it, I'll rip off all bad leafs from all the plants in the tank so that when I replant them, I don't carry old BBA traces back into them...heck, I might even bleach the plants before hand too. Planning is far from done though....I need to go and get me-self some nice rectangluar stones/rocks for my 'mountain sloped type' scaping theme I'm going for.
Dale is a dear friend and he know his stuff! I wish......still feeling quite dom in this hobby. I'm just sticking to what is working for me and I share what I've experienced. I don't try to over complicate things...that, in my opinion, is the breeding ground for problems (hence I'm redoing this tank)
@gav & vee - no need to thank me dudes....if I have the time, I won't pass up an opportunity to plant a tank, I find it very soothing.
That Rotala Macranda does indeed grow fast under the right conditions. Mine has already ran across the water surface since the time you came to get the clippings.
No offence taken at all Gert :)
Gert Combrink
07-06-2009, 20:18
Phew! can I stop running now?
...and have a smoke!
Hi Rudi - dont think I quite agree on the aquascaping description. I would say any tank where the plants are laid out to a plan is aquascaped.. The fish species would have no bearing..
Be that as it may - Dale "Aquascaped" our 2m and it is already starting to look awesome. The plant growth is almost discernable daily and I think the end result will be brilliant.
Thanx again Dale. Those RED thingies at the back have added about 20cm since last weekend..!!!!
OK.example,would you "aquascape" a tank and then ad Silverdollars or Mallawis or big Pleco?My point regarding specific fish species is that it should compliment the scape and not over power it.Just Google Takashi Amano to see a master at work.
Well lets see !!! adding Malawis to a planted tank - I don't think so - A big Pleco - I don't think so - Silver Dollars, hey fish gotta eat too.
But I would "aquascape" a tank, then add Angels, rummy nose, cory's and possibly a pair of Mesonauta Egregius if the tank is big enough. I personally prefer the plants to complement the fish and not the other way around..
However for the PURE "aquascaped " tank then I would agree that the fish complement the plants.
Just my opinion
:bigsmile:A bit of sarcasime from my side,sorry.
The only reason I posted the question is because I have seen so many pics. and read articals concerning "PURE" aquascaping,I wanted to know if someone closer to home have some expierience.What i've seen and red is on overseas websites and my back isues of Practical Fishkeeping magazine.:wondering:
:bigsmile:No Prob - Dale is the closest I know to an aquascaper and I think he will become a great one, I prefer the fish and to me the plants provide cover, suck nitrates and then look good:bigsmile:
Altough when I saw the aquascape a number of posts ago, with the tree and grass type landscape I was blown away. As well as the underwater waterfall, man those show what an art aquascaping is.. I dont have the patience :rolleyes:
Dale is the closest I know to an aquascaper
You mean to say Phil
:idea:How about a project for Dale, witch could involve the sponsors as well?
Why not set up a tank, aquascape it and the sponsors can sponsor,lets say,plants,livestock or equimptment?Not big,standerd 60cm?
Post feature on site and after period of time sponsord goods are returned.
Lets see some SA style aquascaping!!!!:bigsmile:
lol, how about a project for all CPT members to scape a tank. Have lil round-table discussion, reach consensus on amount & type of plants, rocks, lights, filtration etc etc etc, and then find a virgin tank and scape it. That then should become the official TASA tank as well as logo (if the oakes outside of CPT doesn't have a prob with it) :) Just a thought
lol, how about a project for all CPT members to scape a tank. Have lil round-table discussion, reach consensus on amount & type of plants, rocks, lights, filtration etc etc etc, and then find a virgin tank and scape it. That then should become the official TASA tank as well as logo (if the oakes outside of CPT doesn't have a prob with it) :) Just a thought
Now THAT sounds like an idea.....I'm keen.
Sounds like a plan,but I would stil like to see the sponsors come on board.And lets do this correctly from the start,no half measures.I think there is enough experienced aquarists on this forum to do a good job of it.
If you guys don't mind,I've got a few suggestions:
A tank not bigger than 90 x 45 x 45 cm and braceless.
CO2 injection.
Overtank lighting.
Try to get clear filter hose.
Filter sould preferably be external.
NO BACKGROUND,nothing sould clash with the end product.
I realy think we can do this.Please comment.
I would suggest a plain background unless the plants are going to cover the whole back.
Possibly a slightly smaller tank maybe a 600 so others may also play along and it may just be a little cheaper.
Good start.Keep it coming.
Okay, just to get the ball rolling in case this takes off.....for now The Fish Nook (Zafgak and myself) will sponsor the mopani wood....let's see if there's any other response before we see what else is required. :)
Gert Combrink
09-06-2009, 21:36
Where are the other sponsors? ....
There could be money to be made....
Or should the participants go and support non-sponsors?
Tick...tick...tick.... .
Gert if need be, we'll probably be able to make a plan for some other goodies as well....just first want to see the response from everyone else and to check whether this is something which will take off with the Capetonians.......
We must also remember that it may not be viable for the sponsors not located locally to send stuff down to Cape Town as well. :)
Thanx Gert !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I always thought sponsors should be the most active on the forum, and not only for monetary gain, They SHOULD be the ones helping where they can.
The money will always come, "If you build it they will come" also applies to building relationships with your clients
Henk Hugo
09-06-2009, 21:55
Will there be consulting fee's to be made on this? :D
I'll drop a jar of food :P
Gert Combrink
09-06-2009, 22:12
Only if they supply you with very expensive Flourish , plants etc. and tel you in very fine detail how to go about the whole thing. Perhaps planting the whole tank for you!
Consultancy fees need to be discussed innitialy! (before you greet each other...)
Well... it was asked to keep it coming!
Think Phil & I will supply the plants (assuming he won't have a problem)
We got: Wood & Plants
We still need: lights (T5s), heater (Jaeger), filter, tank, substrate (not riversand pls), CO2, location where the tank will be setup & housed, medium/large rocks
Dale how many lights would we need if we were using a say 60cm tank?
Let's go big....at least std 1.2m tank. For that, maybe 5 X T5 (4 white, 1 red)
Dale you forgot to mention that Henk Sponsored the food
Yup, I was jus testing you Gav ;)
Let's go big....at least std 1.2m tank. For that, maybe 5 X T5 (4 white, 1 red)
I thought if kept it small we could realy intensly plant it.
Anyway,I've got three bags of pool filter sand,5kg each.
Small is def going to looks nice, but we are then limited with the variety of plants we're putting in it. 1.2m is a nice benchmark. Believe me, my 1.2m planted tank has a bit too much plant variety in it, but I like it that way....going to keep it like that. The other one I'm redoing this weekend will have less variety, but more quantity...going to see if my scape idea is going to work.
So, now we need the other stuff still. Calling all sponsors :)
I'm hearing you, but what I,m seeing is just another planted tank,IE,a whole bunch of plants in a wild nature look.Lets try something different.
Saw a scape on the net,the guy used aprox. 60cm tank,unknown substrate,placed two teracota clay bricks in the centre,one resting at an angle on the other.The rest of the substrate was coverd with Pygmy chain swords,Echinodorus tenellus.He effectifly recreated something he saw in a park,two bricks sticking out of the grass.
ok cool, let's explore the 60cm then....also means it's less $$$$ to fork out for equip etc etc
Any more donations so far?????
(Sorry my time today is VERY limited so I haven't check older posts)
Henk Hugo
11-06-2009, 12:39
looks like the other sponsors are only here to make dosh... tsk tsk tsk....
superbole
12-06-2009, 10:29
Hi guys, this sounds awesome! I'm gonna keep an eye peeled on this project.
I know I've just joined, but reading this is making me a bit jealous. No, I'm not planning on moving to Ape Town any time soon...
Any guys from Pretoria/JHB who would be interested in doing a similar project up here? A bit of an inter-city competition so to say!
Any guys from Pretoria/JHB who would be interested in doing a similar project up here
Superbole, the problem is that 90% of the sponsors are in (C)ape Town
superbole
12-06-2009, 11:10
Is that the only thing stopping us?
If we keep a registry of equipment, we could all donate something to the project, and at the end, it can go back to the rightful owner. I'm just not sure where it would be located - I'm still waiting for the Capetonians to have that discussion. I have a 2 ft tank and heater (need to check about that one) which we could use...
Sheldon
Good idea....why don't we have a healthy scaping competition between the two regions with clearly defined rules etc etc to make it a fair judge-off between the two tanks when completed? :)
Rory - You input here will be appreciated
Chiao
D
superbole
17-06-2009, 15:05
So, no one else interested then, I suppose we should can the Gauteng tank?
So, no one else interested then, I suppose we should can the Gauteng tank?
:wondering: Looks like the Cape Town tank is heading in the same direction :wondering:
Yup, not enough interest for this to be done so let's ice it until more ppl come forward
Sorry only read the "community tank" (the other definition of a community tank, not one where you chuck in one of everything :p) parts of this thread now. Sounds like you guys making big plans. I'm sure sponsors would be pretty forthcoming once it's properly organised.
Where is the tank going to be? Who's going to maintain it?
Okay guys, we have Rory's backing :D Let's get this going again! I quite like the sound of Cape Town vs Jo'burg. So who's interesting in participating so that we can get the ball in motion again???
I still have that sand substrate if can be used.
Gert & I are in. I'll aid with the plants, Gert with some rocks
Henk Hugo
18-06-2009, 08:02
i'm in - i'll gladly give some cuttings
Okay it's looking good. Gavin and myself are still in with the wood. Can we decided on a tank size????
Come on all you Jo'burg people - aren't you up for the challenge? :D:D:D
superbole
18-06-2009, 09:07
Well I'm in. If I'm allowed to be... I live in PTA!
So, CPT 5 JHB 1?
I suggest we should first sort the two teams out. Then each team should start their own thread (maybe there could be a special section on the forum for this, "tank competition"/CPT and /JHB for each team to organise everything. I would suggest having open threads so that people can follow both teams. I also think both teams must document everything - equipment used, fish, plants, substrate, water params, problems encountered, design and build details, and as many photos as possible. Then both projects could in a way become a how to guide...
Henk Hugo
18-06-2009, 09:18
maybe rory can make a sub forum - Tank Competition..... then a nother sub forum for each region....
superbole
18-06-2009, 09:18
I think the 2ft suggestion for tank size is a good one.
Are any of the sponsors from Gauteng, then I would suggest the tank be kept there, in a prominent location. Cape Town should then choose one of the sponsors down there to house the tank. This will then create a talking piece for our sponsors to their clients, and also advertise the forum a bit... Bring people to the forum to check out our progress, etc.
What do you guys think?
Thanks Henk!
That's more or less what I was thinking, just cannot express myself very clearly this morning...
Foxy Smurf
19-06-2009, 13:19
I have spare thank you could use if interested. 92 x 32 x 32 on a nice stand (vee you have seen it)
If it's the one I'm thinking of it is very nice. That would be awesome, thanks Foxy! :D So we have plants, substrate, wood, rocks, fishfood (with no fish :D) and a tank on a stand. We're almost there!
I'll sponsor the first fill up of water :)
Henk Hugo
19-06-2009, 16:12
where is it going to live and what lighting?
Lights - T5 bulk, and 1 or 2 Sylvanna T8 tubes.....plants seem to love them, leave colours are very vibrant under them
As for location, ons moet maar besluit jong
Henk Hugo
20-06-2009, 04:47
ok cool - got space in the fishroom....
Henks place sounds like the logical place to keep it because Dale is so close to him that he can help Henk to check up on the plants etc as well :D
Henk Hugo
20-06-2009, 08:46
yea - lord knows i know nothing about plants
yea - lord knows i know nothing about plants
Touchy touchy today aren't we? :bigsmile::p hahaha
Seriously though, we all know that you know about plants but if we have more than one person 'tending' to them then the blame can be shared equally should they die :eek::bigsmile::p
Gert Combrink
13-09-2009, 14:29
So this all died?
It would seem so Gert, unfortunate really... :wondering:
guido.coza
16-09-2009, 09:53
Hi all
that I'm the new kid on the block I'm still full of inthusiasm (Spelling mistakes are 4 the Entertainment of readers)
Just what can be done
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/blog.php?blogid=233
We should take it up
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.1.10 Copyright © 2012 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.