Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Issue 1 March 2008
Issue 1 March 2008
John Nguyen
Editor in Chief
AquaScaping World Magazine
13 FINDING INSPIRATION
Many budding aquascapers have no idea where e to begin when designing
an aquascape. This article examines the world around us that can inspire
that perfect layout.
By Roy Deki
Otocinclus spp.
A lgae can become a problem
in the aquarium if left Otocinclus spp. are one of
your Otos. A fish with a nice,
rounded silvery stomach should
unchecked or uncontrolled. the most popular fish used to be fine, as this indicates that they
Luckily, in a planted aquarium help in the control of algae. There have been fed on adequate foods
there are several species of fish are a few species that I have since their import and should
and invertebrates that can help seen available here in the UK, continue to do so. All too often
you win the war on algae. Their and these are O. vestitus, O. though, Otos found in aquatic
suitability will depend on the type affinis and O. macrospilus. Most shops are very skinny and
and size of the aquarium , and 0tocinclus sold are caught in the suffering from malnutrition. This
current inhabiting species in the wild. When these fish are is why they are often considered
tank. Fortunately, most of algae imported, they are often starved to be tricky to keep, and can die
eating fauna can survive in a during the transport stages, and off during acclimatisation.
wide r ange of aquar ium so many tend to die off even Most Otocinclus will grow to
environments. Here is a quick before they reach the wholesaler/ around 2” or less and eat a wide
guide to some frontline defenders retailer. Because of this, you range of algae. These miniature
against algae. need to be careful when choosing size makes them a great choice
t You
(Crossochelius siamensis), or Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina
SAE as it is often written, can denticulata sinensis) are another
grow much larger than the popular shrimp choice for the
Otocinclus (up to 6”) and aquarium, mainly because of
because of this are suited to the their size and colour. Female
larger aquarium only. I would Cherry Shrimp are bright red,
suggest a minimum being a 36” whereas males can be slightly
tank to keep these fish at their drab in comparison. These
eventual size. I have found they shrimp are smaller than the
can be a bit boisterous and may Amano Shrimp, and I haven‟t had
uproot newly planted carpet any grow past one inch. You will
plants and disturb substrate, need to be wary of filter inlets due
which is a problem if it clouds to the small size of the shrimp.
easily. Like the Ottos, these
algae eaters are said to eat a
variety of algae types including
black beard algae, or BBA. This
is a common problem in planted
aquaria and it is sometimes
attributed to low CO2 in the
water. There is often confusion
between this species and the
Chinese Algae Eater, or CAE, as
they look very similar. One
difference between them is the
number of barbels, the SAE
having one set and the CAE
having 2 sets.
Caridina denticulata
The Amano Shrimp (Caridina
denticulata, formally japonica), or Crossochelius siamensis (top)
Yamato Shrimp as it is Caridina denticulata, (bottom)
sometimes known, was brought
into popularity by Takashi Amano Sometimes when you clean the
in his search for the perfect algae filter during maintenance, you
eating shrimp. He tested many can find live baby shrimp that
shrimp, but eventually settling on have been sucked in and are
for an algae eater in either large the “Amano” Shrimp, a Japanese living off detritus or algae in the
or small aquariums. They should native species and ordering filter. I recommend placing a
really be kept in groups of around several thousand from the small cover over the filter intake if
6 and will often stay close to each supplier! They will eat most types you want to save every shrimp.
other in the aquarium. This is of algae and are very effective at Cherry shrimp will readily
when they are at their most their job. They will reach around breed in the average aquarium,
effective in a planted aquarium. 2” and are suitable to most size given plenty of dense plant cover
In my experience they are very aquariums. One problem with to protect the young from
gentle with aquatic plants, and keeping shrimp in the aquarium is predatory fish. Tetras are known
will not damage soft leaved that you will need to be careful to snack on babies, whereas
plants like Rotala sp. ‟wallichii‟ about other occupants. Although corycat fish and Otocinclus are
while feeding. Otocinclus are Amano shrimp are one of the considered shrimp safe
diligent eaters of green spot and larger freshwater algae eating companions the cherry shrimp.
green dust algae clusters when in shrimp, they can be eaten by
large groups. large fish such as Angelfish and
Discus.
Water fall illusion tested without the hardscape and plants (top)
Completed aquascapes with cascading waterfall (bottom)
Through a cross section of back into behind the scenes How the sand is ejected from
the "waterfall” we can identify reservoir. The cycle is repeated the top of the bubble column is
how the sand is used for the and the viewer sees an endless also probably a problem area that
effect. A tube and airstone blows cascading waterfall inside the requires a lot of attention and
bubbles up through a hidden aquarium. adjustment. It's hard to tell from
space behind a wall. This This effect is not the most the diagram, but the bubble
creates a vacuum of bubbles that practical for everyday use. A very column space most likely extends
drives a water current towards to fine sand must be used in order above the water line. This forces
the surface. for it to be lift with the current. the water pulled up by the
As the water rises, tiny The falling sand is affected bubbles out the sand-ejection
grains of sand from a reservoir greatly by other currents inside opening. Otherwise, the sand
are pulled into the vortex current. the tank, and it will inevitably fall would continue to follow the
The sand grains move with the outside of the reservoir. With a current of bubbles and water up
water current and drift out filter running, it would probably and out the top of the column
through an opening near the top blow the falling sand everywhere (and you'd have a messy volcano
of the wall, and fall back down else in your aquarium. I'm sure effect instead of a waterfall!). The
the front side of the wall. A much tweaking is necessary to final effect, if done correctly,
strategically placed incline ramp find the best type of sand suited looks absolutely stunning in
at the base catches the falling for this application, and what size aquascaped planted aquarium.
sand grains and returns them space behind the wall works best.
P l"morphology",
ant anatomy,
refers to
or
the
description of the structure and
parts of a plant.
Apart from the few simple
mosses, aquatic plants consist of
three basic organic parts: axis of
the shoot or stem, leaf and root.
Stem and leaves may be termed
comprehensively as 'shoot'. Both
differentiate from the shoot
vegetation cone which they have
in common. In this article I am
introducing the first part, the stem
or axis of the shoot.
Functions of the Stem 4. The production of new living distance from each other.
The stem develops either in tissue. The normal life span of Hygrophila polysperma is an
the air, or in water or in the soil. plant cells is one to three example of this type. With
Its growth is vertical to horizontal years. Stems have cells called compressed internodes, the stem
it can be the main axis or a meristems that annually is not visible as its base is
branch. Stems have four main generate new living tissue. concealed by densely positioned
functions which are: leaves, e.g. Echinodorus and
Stems are composed of Cryptocoryne species. The length
1. Support for and the elevation nodes, this hold buds which grow of the internodes influences the
of leaves, flowers and fruits. into one or more leaves, flowers, form of the plant.(ill.2)
The stems keep the leaves in or other stems, Internodes, the
the light and provide a place segment of the stem between two Parts of the Stem
for the plant to keep its flowers nodes. (ill.1) The Stem usually consist of
and fruits. three tissues, dermal tissue,
Plant Shape and Internodes ground tissue and vascular
2. Transport of fluids between It is mainly the length of the tissue.
the roots and the shoots in the internodes which determines the The dermal tissue covers the
xylem and phloem. habit of aquatic plants (Ill. 1). outer surface of the stem, in
With elongated internodes the aquatic plants it protects and
3. Storage of nutrients. stem is clearly visible and the control gas exchange. There is a
leaves are positioned at some thin (or no) cuticle, plant cuticles
are a protective waxy covering Stem Branching and Flowering dies or loses strength after
produced only by the epidermal Two different types of stem producing one flower or one
cells. The primary function of branching exist. In one type the interflorescence. The mother
cuticles is to prevent water loss, top of the stem (vegetation cone) shoot is replaced and overgrown
thus most hydrophytes have no continues its growth provided it is by a lateral shoot. Flowering
need for cuticles. The ground not disturbed; all lateral shoots Cryptocoryne species exemplify
tissue usually consists mainly of are then subordinate to the this type of branching (Ill. 4).
parenchyma cells and fills in mother shoot, and flowers and The vegetation cone (also
around the vascular tissue. It inflorescences appear at the side Apex) is the length at the top part
sometimes functions in of leaf axils. Flowering Ludwigia of the stem where growth carries
photosynthesis. The vascular species is a good example(Ill.3). out itself. In that part and at some
tissue provides long distance In the other type, the distance from the tip
transport and structural support. vegetation cone of a shoot stops undifferentiated divisible cells
The angle between the leaf growing after some time; it either reach a state of permanency.
and the stem is called leaf axil.
(ill.1). Potentially, each leaf axil is Illustration 3: Ludwigia Illustration 4: Cryptocorynes
capable of producing a bud which
may grow into a lateral shoot,
leading to branching of the
mother shoot. The degree of
branching varies greatly from one
species to another. As a rule,
aquatic plants with elongated
stems branch quite regularly thus
those which are rooted in the
bottom develop a bushy growth
while the floating species grow
into a dense mat. Aquatic plants Luwidgia grow laterally as it flowers from A Cryptocorynes flowers from a low apex
with a compressed stem rarely shoots from varying positions along the near the base of the plant.
length of the plant.
develop lateral shoots.
They take over certain functions, Axillary ( lateral) bud: A bud Vascular Bundle or Trace
each of them being determined that develops in the axil of a Scar: A mark showing former
by their position in the stem. leaf. place of attachment within the
In the inner area of a stem there leaf scar of the vascular
are bundles of conducting tissues Node: Region of stem from bundle.
called vascular tissues these are which leaves, or branches
composed of more than one cell arise. It is important to understand
type and carry the water, organic the anatomy of our aquatic plants
and inorganic substances (ill.5). Internodes: A region of stem t o perf ect our aquar ium
Two main types of vascular between nodes. aquascaping. A solid grasp on
tissue exist, the xylem and how plants grow can effectively
phloem. These two tissues Leaf Scar: A mark indicating help the aquascapers trim and
extend from the leaves to the the precedent place of train plants to grow in a fashion
roots, and are vital conduits for attachment of petiole or leaf that not only fits the aquascape
transporting water and minerals base. but enhances the beauty of the
from roots and sugar from leaves. aquatic plant.
Stipular Scar. A mark
Cross Section of a Stem indicating former place of References
The stem is a complex attachment of stipule. www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dictionary
The Complete Guide to Water Plants -
structure composed of several Muhlberg
chambers and parts. Vascular Lenticel: A pore in the bark.
tissue (dotted) and aeration ducts
are shown in the cross section of Prickle: A sharp pointed
submerged shoot axes. The outgrowth from the epidermis
following describes the main or cortex.
parts of stem:
Terminal Bud Scale Scar
Apical (terminal) bud: The Rings: A ring indicating the
primary growing point located at previous place of attachment
the apex (tip) of the stem. of bud scale
Photo Credits:
Daniel Powell: lamp ocellatus, danio choprae, cory cat, kribensis
Matt Patrick: tiger shrimp, amano shrimp
usually under 20-gallons in total consequently require copious Barbs: Certain species of
volume. Many “nanos” are 10- amounts of work to properly barbs if you‟re planning a
gallons or less. These tanks with maintain. In order to ensure your plant-tank. Many love to eat
their small footprints are ideal for fish keeping experience is a plants.
kids and/or desktops. However, positive one, steer clear of large
due to their size, stocking them species such as this. Cichlids: Lake Malawi
successfully with fish and African cichlids. These are
invertebrates can become “Fish Grow to the Size of Their not nano fish regardless of
problematic. Some simply find it Aquarium” adult size. Their temperament
too hard to resist adding “just one How many times have you is not compatible with small
more”! So, let‟s talk about how to heard this saying? The statement aquaria.
stock such aquariums with long- “it will only grow to the size of its
term success. aquarium” is true only because Angelfish: These fish are
the fish become stunted due to always available quarter
Longevity and Size confinement. The health of a fish sized, but they get much
Many people think of fish as confined in too small an aquarium larger and can get
short lived animals. This is true will quickly decline leading to aggressive.
for some species such as annual repetitive ailment and eventual
killifish (for example, death. Goldfish bear the brunt of Line Breed: Avoid line bred
Nothobranchius species), which this myth as they are often touted and selected color forms of
live, breed, and die within a year as the perfect bowl fish. A fish such as powder blue
in the wild. Fortunately, most fish goldfish that could live ten years dwarf gourami and fancy
will live several years and make will only live one in such an types of livebearers. Due to
great pets if properly cared for. environment. It is the the line breeding used to
Many fish will live considerably responsibility of the aquarist to develop these varieties they
longer. maintain appropriate volume of tend not to be as hardy as
Larger fish such as Goldfish, water for the fish species they their wild-type counterparts
some Cichlids and Catfish can intend to keep. and because of this they are
live more than ten years. Koi, Simply put, know your often sick before you
which are ornamental carp, can limitations as an aquarist. If you purchase them.
live seventy years or more. It is cannot maintain a large species,
not just the tank busters that are don‟t buy juveniles of that Painted Fish: Painted and
long lived, however. There are species. Likewise, if you plan on tattooed fish should also be
accounts of Corydoras aeneus growing out a large species in a ignored as possible
catfish, measuring a diminutive smaller aquarium, maintain purchases. Avoid fish that are
3”, living twenty years [site]. The proper water quality and make a “made” if you want to
point is: Take longevity into concise plan to upgrade their maintain the animal long term
account. Part of the draw to aquarium in a timely manner. without illness or
keeping fish is to maintain them Remember too that fish keeping‟s complications. This says
for their entire life. number one rule is to be an nothing of the ethical and
Killifish may not live long, but informed hobbyist. There are humane issues that the
they are productive during their conscientious stores that will be practice of tattooing, painting
time and are beautiful as well. honest about the care and adult and dying fish brings about
These jewels may be ideal for size of certain fish, but there are
children since their interests tend also many stores that expect you Goldfish: They are tempting
to wax and wane over time. It is to know what you are buying and buy because they are so
important not to rope yourself into thus will sell you anything you cheap and cute when small
a larger growing, more long term want. Buyer beware! but they can get big and are
pet if you cannot support it and its Stocking aquaria is usually not community fish. Keep
growth. the most confusing part of fish them outdoors in ornamental
Goldfish are typically the keeping. There is not a good way ponds for the best results.
quintessential child‟s first fish. to simplify it. Most people will tell
However, this endeavor often you that a freshwater aquarium
An Interview
with Nano
Aquascaper
Antonio Nikolic
Q: Tell me about yourself and affordable to create and posed a Q: With such lush growth from
how you got into planted great artistic challenge. My first your plants what is your
aquariums. tank was 30 liter aquarium fertilization method?
A: My name is Antonio Nikolic. I designed with some hardy A: From the date of setup nearly
am 24 years old and I am from aquatic plants and a small school six months ago I didn't have a
Croatia. I started with this hobby of Rasboras espei. routine in fertilizing. The first
almost 2 years ago, when I first month of setup, I didn‟t even add
came across internet photos of Q: D e s c ri b e h ow yo u any fertilizers and just did regular
planted tanks created by the developed the hardscape for 50% waterchanges about every
master himself, Mr. Takashi your aquarium. two days.
Amano. As I searched for more A: The hardscape consist of This past month I began
and more aquascapes designed rocks and twigs placed in the adding in fertilizers more
by him, I became more inspired midground. I took great care to regularly because I noticed some
(obsessed) with planted tanks. place the tree branches within the plant deficiencies. I have started
His artistic work amazed me so substrate so that they would dosing microelements and adding
much that I started looking at appear as natural as possible. I potassium, and experiment with
aquarium plants and planted prefer the look of wild nature the Perceptual Preservation
tanks in my local area. layouts more then the manicured System (PPS-Pro) method. I am
From the very beginning, garden design. I wanted to make now dosing; 1.5 ppm KNO3, 0.2
small nano aquariums attracted the branches seem like they fell ppm PO4, 15 drops Seachem
my attention. They were small, genuinely. As time passed I flourish and 7 drops of Easy-life
intimate aquascapes that were imagined the twigs becoming Easycarbo, every day.
I have more nutrient dosing part of the aquascape, and Q: Now that you have
experiments to observe before I doesn‟t require much attention. overcome your challenges and
get into a regular routine of Since I don‟t have to touch the completed this aquascape
dosing. The only thing routine in midground plants, the focus point what other projects do you
my schedule is the 50% of the aquascape keeps its have in stored for the future?
waterchanges about twice a overall shape, even when I have A: Well, I‟m working on several
week. Since every tank is to trim the background plants. larger tanks right now, and I‟m
different I have to figure out what The stem plants I placed in waiting for the right moment to
fertilizer values works best to the background need the most display them. I‟m looking forward
grow the plants in the color and frequent trimmings. For the to getting a new digital camera so
condition that I envision. background, I like to use fine I can truly capture the beauty of
leafed stems placed near the rear the tanks from my perspective.
Q: Let‟s talk plants and of the glass. This stem placement I will always have one of my
aquascaping. How do you in the back achieves a greater smallest aquascapes “El Naninjo”
keep up the plant growth and depth perspective for the viewer to keep me busy. Nano
maintaining the aquascape by drawing the eye to the colors aquascapes are a challenge and
layout? and finer leaf shapes that pleasure to create. I sometimes
A: I have to trim every 10-12 contrast distinctly with the think after I‟m done, “Wow I did
days to keep the plants from midground plants. that?” It is my hope to inspire and
looking overgrown and ruining add to the creative “think tank” so
the hardscape effect that I Q: Tell me some of your that other aquascapers (new and
worked tirelessly in designing. In greatest challenges with the old) can push that envelop for
this layout I have used more than aquascape? aquatic aquarium designs.
15 different species of plants, 7-8 A: My greatest challenge was
species as larger (main) groups, been keeping the lush coloration
and others plants as accents. in red stem plants. I kepted on
The midground consist of getting stunted growth from the
slow growing plants including stems of Rotala wallichii. After
Monosolenium tenerum, Anubias trimming them, the bottom part
barteri var. nana 'Petite', rearly throws out side shoots.
Taxiphyllum alternans, Fissidens After struggling to get it to grow
fontanus, Microsorum pteropus the way I wanted, I decide to
'Windelov', Microsorum pteropus replace it with Rotala rotundifolia.
'Narrow'. These are attached to I‟m happy that I did that. After
rocks and twigs to anchor them adding in a double dose of
down. The slow growing Flourish regularly, the plants
midground makes up the densest grew with great coloration.
Fauna Selection
Celestichthys margaritatus
Neocaridina heteropoda var. red
scene makes you pause, place to keep things that outside sources are important to
remember to do something about influence us. Bits of clippings of remember as our artistic talent
it in your sketchbook. Even a few writings that inspire you, cuttings branches away from them, and
words, even a bare sketch is from magazines or print outs of our art becomes our own.
good. When you wake up from a work from other artists—these
beautiful dream, quickly flip open are things that one would do well Don‟t doodle, Draw!
the book (sitting next to your to paste into the sketchbook. I A former art teacher of mine
nightstand) and sketch/write the like to take print outs of once complained to me that
general contents of it down landscape photos in particular many of his students were too
before it fades. When thinking and keep them in my sketchbook. hesitant in their drawing. If they
about an old idea and a new add- One may think that these draw a line wrong, and they new
on to it occurs to you, go to the types of materials are not our it was wrong, they would leave it
sketchbook and revise the idea. own development of our ideas, anyway because “they did not
Recording ideas also forces you but in actuality they are. No two want to ruin the drawing.” Forget
to put ideas into at least some people will ever see the same ruining drawings. Who cares if a
form of expression, which will picture despite looking at the drawing is ruined? It is far from
help develop your thinking, same photograph. Everyone the end of the world.
artistic intuition and insight as interprets things different. Taking If there‟s a line there, draw it
well. the barrage of images and ideas in. If the line is wrong draw it in
A sketchbook is a place to from the world, and reinterpreting again. Draw over it! Do not
record and develop who we are them to what is important to us hesitate because you care about
as artists, and so it is also a great makes each idea that we come how neat or pretty your drawing
up with very unique. or paper is. Neat and pretty
A great artist knows the count for nothing, especially
moment he takes an idea from when it comes to drawing in the
elsewhere, even if someone else sketchbook. Save that for the
used it, that idea is his own now. photography of the finished
He is certain to do it in his own aquarium. When playing with a
way. Being an artist is also being layout idea, draw it in again and
able to recognize inspiration again in order to get right
outside him that will lead him proportions and parts. Draw on
forward. These influences from your paper until you get it right.
There‟s a technique called curvature of the stem plants should reflect this. Of course
“blocking in” that is similar to this relative to that of the hardscape? getting an idea of what a finished
flurry of sketching. When How wide is the branch tank could look like in one‟s
“blocking in,” the artist puts the proportionately? Where should drawings is important too, but it is
most important information on the negative space be, and what best to build into that.
paper first, least important last. shape should it have? These
Most important being locations of types of questions should be your Keep it with you, and never
points, proportions, angles, and foremost concern when blocking throw it away
least important being contours. in, and draw many lines, draw All this is pointless if you do
When blocking in, don‟t worry over lines, to find the ones you not carry your sketchbook with
about “line drawing,” that is trying like most. This is like “building a you and aim to use it. Keep it by
to draw the outline of whatever it drawing,” as opposed to your bed when you sleep, on
is you are drawing. Start with the doodling. your desk if not on your person in
location of points—the top of a Only when the important other hours. It is important that
rock, the far left side of the sand, information is on the paper whenever you want to use it, you
the lowest point of the should you worry about have it even for quick jottings.
stem plants. making the actual outlines The sketchbook will be most
Instead of contours, of things, or trying to make valuable if it is treated like a living
draw in the important the drawings look pretty. thing that grows as its owner
points first: where they You could even save that grows. Keeping the sketchbook
are, and how they are for another page. It is is important as well. As one
located compared to definitely less important grows, one may want to look
each other in space. than getting proportions through old work. Following
Draw straight lines and angles right. This is one‟s own development will help
between the important especially true for one to reach even greater
points to measure aquascape planning when improvements. Instead of
distance, angles and other no one will ever see the drawing, wandering about, the sketchbook
important information. Measure and the important thing is the helps one stand on one‟s own
things on paper. What is the finished aquascape. The shoulders, to improve on what he
best-looking angle and width sketchbook is the place for the has already done.
between a branch and the rock initial set-up of idea work, and the
that supports it? How is the drawings in the sketchbook