Courtneybst
Member
Fun Across the Pond
I recently returned from a 2 week aquarium extravaganza in the USA. If there's such a thing as fishkeeper's indulgence, this was it! SO much fun was had and memories made.
The first part was spent at the Aquatic Gardeners Association (AGA) Conference. Within the first 12 hours of arriving at the hotel we were off to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago!
It was followed by interesting talks from the likes of Rainbowfish legend Gary Lange, Our own George Farmer, Aquabase's Andre Longarco, Macroalgae and Creek Geek Johnathon Butkus, Tank Tested aka Alex Winchel, and more! I also mentored 2 individuals during a live aquascaping workshop, where they physically set up a scape to take home and I assisted with hints and tips, holding things until they glued together and general life chat. I also got recognised by someone who asked for my autograph! (That was very surreal).
In that same room, there was a plant auction to end all plant auctions, and trust me the battles were fierce! I've never seen so many plants up for grabs. Everything was there!
The vendor room next door had lots of equipment, fish, plants and artwork for sale, all of which I thought I was immune to as I had an upcoming transatlantic flight. That was until I stumbled across a UNS 45L... Firstly, I'd legitimately been eyeing up this tank for a little while online, since the dimensions fit perfectly on my windowsill. Secondly, the tank was LESS than half price compared to the UK. Thirdly, it was within the weight and dimensions requirements of my hand luggage...so I obviously bought it lol. It will be an upgrade (and replacement) to my shrimp pond, this time with very minimal plants and botanical method.
Say it with me: Manzanita Is Life
When I returned I was actually quite bummed out. Going from spending two weeks with aquascaping and friends constantly buzzing every day and night, to the stillness of home was quite a come down. Not only that, but my travel partner tested positive for covid upon his return. Whilst I didn't test positive (a miracle tbh) I did catch something because I was ill for the same period and still have a messed up throat. With all this happening and life slowly settling again, I had ZERO motivation to do anything. I was truly immobilised. But once again, aquascaping came to the rescue. Once I felt a little bit better, I had the urge to get this tank setup and I spent hours in the zone and came out a bit more pumped.
The idea to do botanical method came from wanting something simple and less vigorous than pond plants, and also having spent time with the blackwater Queen; Melanie Holmes, in Chicago.
(Scape by Melanie Holmes - Photo credit: Alex Vella)
The design is inspired by several people including Jordan Stirrat and Christine Crites who did also created archway tanks earlier this year.
(Scape by Jordan Stirrat - Photo credit; Jordan Stirrat)
(Scape by Christine Crites - Photo Credit: Christine Crites)
Another is @doylecolmdoyle who's 5ft blackwater shallow is just beautiful, check it out if you haven't seen it already. Aquaflora also have a similar designed tank which went in the mood board.
(Scape by Colm Doyle - Photo Credit: Colm Doyle)
Tank: UNS 45L (45cm x 17cm x 17cm)
Light: Chihiros C2 RGB (subject to change, maybe)
Filter: Small Internal Filter
Hardscape: Manzanita logs and twigs crammed together, WIO Wetland Artist substrate mixed with sand, WIO druid pebbles a mix of botanicals.
Ironically, I bought this because of its perfect dimensions for my windowsill and ended up preferring this stand that I originally bought for my contest tank. I used this door as practice for my acrylic pour which is why it looks similar to my macroalgae stand. My plan is to get the tank up and running, seeded with a bit of filter media from my bigger tanks and microfauna from the existing shrimp tank.
Then I'll move over the shrimp once things have settled, the botanicals have sunk and I'm happy with the parameters. The idea is to keep it the same way as it's been running for 6 months; water top offs only.
I recently returned from a 2 week aquarium extravaganza in the USA. If there's such a thing as fishkeeper's indulgence, this was it! SO much fun was had and memories made.
The first part was spent at the Aquatic Gardeners Association (AGA) Conference. Within the first 12 hours of arriving at the hotel we were off to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago!
It was followed by interesting talks from the likes of Rainbowfish legend Gary Lange, Our own George Farmer, Aquabase's Andre Longarco, Macroalgae and Creek Geek Johnathon Butkus, Tank Tested aka Alex Winchel, and more! I also mentored 2 individuals during a live aquascaping workshop, where they physically set up a scape to take home and I assisted with hints and tips, holding things until they glued together and general life chat. I also got recognised by someone who asked for my autograph! (That was very surreal).
In that same room, there was a plant auction to end all plant auctions, and trust me the battles were fierce! I've never seen so many plants up for grabs. Everything was there!
The vendor room next door had lots of equipment, fish, plants and artwork for sale, all of which I thought I was immune to as I had an upcoming transatlantic flight. That was until I stumbled across a UNS 45L... Firstly, I'd legitimately been eyeing up this tank for a little while online, since the dimensions fit perfectly on my windowsill. Secondly, the tank was LESS than half price compared to the UK. Thirdly, it was within the weight and dimensions requirements of my hand luggage...so I obviously bought it lol. It will be an upgrade (and replacement) to my shrimp pond, this time with very minimal plants and botanical method.
Say it with me: Manzanita Is Life
When I returned I was actually quite bummed out. Going from spending two weeks with aquascaping and friends constantly buzzing every day and night, to the stillness of home was quite a come down. Not only that, but my travel partner tested positive for covid upon his return. Whilst I didn't test positive (a miracle tbh) I did catch something because I was ill for the same period and still have a messed up throat. With all this happening and life slowly settling again, I had ZERO motivation to do anything. I was truly immobilised. But once again, aquascaping came to the rescue. Once I felt a little bit better, I had the urge to get this tank setup and I spent hours in the zone and came out a bit more pumped.
The idea to do botanical method came from wanting something simple and less vigorous than pond plants, and also having spent time with the blackwater Queen; Melanie Holmes, in Chicago.
(Scape by Melanie Holmes - Photo credit: Alex Vella)
The design is inspired by several people including Jordan Stirrat and Christine Crites who did also created archway tanks earlier this year.
(Scape by Jordan Stirrat - Photo credit; Jordan Stirrat)
(Scape by Christine Crites - Photo Credit: Christine Crites)
Another is @doylecolmdoyle who's 5ft blackwater shallow is just beautiful, check it out if you haven't seen it already. Aquaflora also have a similar designed tank which went in the mood board.
(Scape by Colm Doyle - Photo Credit: Colm Doyle)
Tank: UNS 45L (45cm x 17cm x 17cm)
Light: Chihiros C2 RGB (subject to change, maybe)
Filter: Small Internal Filter
Hardscape: Manzanita logs and twigs crammed together, WIO Wetland Artist substrate mixed with sand, WIO druid pebbles a mix of botanicals.
Ironically, I bought this because of its perfect dimensions for my windowsill and ended up preferring this stand that I originally bought for my contest tank. I used this door as practice for my acrylic pour which is why it looks similar to my macroalgae stand. My plan is to get the tank up and running, seeded with a bit of filter media from my bigger tanks and microfauna from the existing shrimp tank.
Then I'll move over the shrimp once things have settled, the botanicals have sunk and I'm happy with the parameters. The idea is to keep it the same way as it's been running for 6 months; water top offs only.
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