Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping => Gallery Showcase => Topic started by: Extreme_One on January 30, 2016, 11:31:53 AM
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I thought I'd share my latest project: my first miniature aquascape. Total cost: approx £40.00.
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Vase / candle holder bought from The Range for £7.99.
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Remove all the ugly 'rope' and the metal band.
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2KG of fine natural Gravel from Aquatics Supplies shop @ £3.95 + similar quantity of John Innes No 3 potting compost @ approx £3.
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Add potting compost to a depth of approx 20mm and firm it down.
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Add approx 10mm layer of gravel. Make sure the gravel is thoroughly rinsed before using.
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Less than 1KG of Rock from Aquatics Supplies shop @ less than £2. Superglue @ £1. Small piece of Java Fern from Aquatics Supplies shop @ £3 - £5. Superglue the 'rhizone' (the woody part the leaves grow from ) onto the largest peice of rock.
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Place rock in a pleasing arrangement towards the centre of the jar. Then top up with the remaining gravel making a layer approx 30mm deep.
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Ikea sell verious aquatic plants in pots of water @ £2 each. Two small pots of 'Monte Carlo' carpeting plant from Aquatics Supplies shop @ £3.65 each.
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Break apart the 'Monte Carlo' into small sections and, using tweezers, gently push into the gravel spaced apart giving room to spread out.
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Eventually, the Monto Carlo will, hopefully, spread out and create a 'carpet' of green.
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Place a small plastic bag over the 'Monte Carlo' and gently pour water onto the plastic to avoid disturbing the plants
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Add the stem plants at the back, behind the rocks.
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I should have made my gravel layer a bit deeper. Make sure it's about 20mm of soil with about 30mm of gravel on top.
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Place in a bright place.
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That looks superb.
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Very nice indeed Simon. :cheers:
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Very nice. Have you thought how to deal with the algae problem yet?
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Very nice. Have you thought how to deal with the algae problem yet?
Good question!
I'm hoping that the plants will out-compete the Algae, and that there isn't enough light to promote a bloom.
Also, as there is no livestock I can overdose with 'liquid carbon' if needed. Liquid Carbon (Gluteraldehyde) acts as an algaecide.
I just bought 1L with 50% higher concentration than EasyCarbo for £10.
Also, I can do water changes as large and as frequently as I need to.
Hopefully it won't become a problem. :)
I'll update this thread in future with any news and new photos once it's grown a bit.
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That is really fantastic, Simon - brilliant to see the stage-by-stage pics, details of where you got the various equipment from and prices, etc, as well as see the finished product.
I have no confidence at all in trying real plants in my tank, not helped by the fact that the tetras hate lighting in the tank, but you've given me inspiration to try a separate aquascaping project. If that works, perhaps in years to come, I'll be able to merge aquascaping with fishkeeping in the one tank. Thanks for this!
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Looks good Simon, you will have to shows some more pictures as it gets established.
Anne
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Thanks for all the feedback.
@fcmf I'm so pleased it's inspired you to do your own.
I've posted this project as an album on Facebook, and a few of my non-fishy friends have said they've been inspired to do one.
I'll update this thread with more photos when it's more established.
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Very impressive and inspiring.
I'm going to show the wife to be and see if she will let us do such a thing as a centre piece on our tables.
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Very impressive and inspiring.
I'm going to show the wife to be and see if she will let us do such a thing as a centre piece on our tables.
I hope she lets you. If not, is she really the right one to make your wife? ;)
j/k :)
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Lol
Granted it will take a bit of arm bending, but hopefully after seeing my 180L completed and planted she'll go for it, as well as seeing your project.
*fingers crossed*
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Just shown the Mrs......
And I didn't get a 'no' :yikes:
Just need a little bit more leverage and it's game on ;D
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I have to say I'm very tempted myself. I can see one of those would look great in the bathroom which is the only tank free room in the flat.
Where did you get the liquid carbon from Simon? I'm almost out and I need to order more.....
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Mine was made-to-order, a gent I've met through a Facebook Fish and Aquascaping group bought pure Gluteraldehyde, so he diluted some and sent it in the post.
I can ask him if he'll be willing to supply you if you're interested.
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I love this Simon and will also be watching its progress.
I currently have a 3 litre jug sitting on the ledge in the conservatory with water (changed when I remember) a few bits of left over plants from the big tank that broke off when I did a water change, and a lump of coconut shell.
It hasn't grown any algae since the cooler months appeared, possibly because its an unheated conservatory so that might make a difference if yours is in the warmth of the bathroom
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Oooer Simon thank you for the offer. I'd be worried about the concentration levels, one wrong move and I'd be preserving my fish! :yikes:
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Oooer Simon thank you for the offer. I'd be worried about the concentration levels, one wrong move and I'd be preserving my fish! :yikes:
I know what you mean. Thing is, we could easily calculate the correct concentration based on your tank size and your current dosage, which is how we came up with the right concentration for my tank.
Up to you. I understand if you feel it's too risky.
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I add 5ml of Api CO2 Booster daily usually.
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I add 5ml of Api CO2 Booster daily usually.
In what size tank?
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Its a 200 litre but I calculate it at 195 because of the space taken up by substrate and hard decor. If it's easy to work out I would be very keen, the ferts are quite expensive
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How's this project going Simon?
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Well, it's not going quite to plan. :-\
My Monte Carlo melted. I'm just watching it to see if it will come back. There are signs of new green growth but I'm not sure if it will be able to come back.
I can't decide if the reason it failed is due to insufficient light or insufficient temperature.
If the Monte Carlo doesn't return then I'll substitute it with another plant. I just need to decide what ...
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Oh sorry to hear that, dont give up though. ;)
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How's this wee project coming along, Simon? :)
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How's this wee project coming along, Simon? :)
Unfortunately it didn't end well. :-\
It turned into an algae farm.
I've turned it into a dry scape now. It looks quite pretty but nothing like my original plan. :-[
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Sorry to hear that Simon. I was wondering about it as I have a great big pickle jar which I'm using to grow some algae rocks in at the moment but I fancied a go at one of these using it as I have compost and gravel and some decorative rocks etc...
No plans to try again?
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I think balancing light and nutrients would be a major issue, hence Simon's algae issue, not impossible but really hard.