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This is great. Starts to look like a beautiful reef tank with lots of corals. 8) Never thought I can have that feeling with freshwater tank colors. :)

More images...

There's still a lot of time to the deadline but the scape looked ready - so I just finished shooting for IAPLC 2012:

I just Love these classical iwagumis. Very well done indeed. Great balance and triangle composition! :clap:

Thanks! Oh yes, it's such a thick carpet, it does not grow up, just gets more dense. In the 9-10 months we only had to trim once. No algae issues, no dying leaves, no maintenance needed. It is an absolute low-maintenance plant in the long run. Also very attractive. It definitely needs a...

Re: GA in-store display 120P Iwagumi - Fly above the giant c Why George? :D If he says he just hates all this since we opened for business then you're not gonna step foot into the Gallery not to scare your loved ones away from all this? :D Who wants to see a mad Hungarian behind his desk? :D...

Re: 120 x 55 x 55 Iwawoody. Wow, impressive Mark :clap: (I just love the hardscape!) It will certainly be quite a setup. I do not see a problem with using a lot of plants as most of them here are carpeting or small growing ones. Using these together might help improve the natural look. Btw...

Cheers Mate, thanks! :angel: I'm actually starting to get some ideas to totally rescape this for next year's "go go go" ;) Problem is that it is in perfect shape and as Viktor said no maintenance is needed, so I'm a little sorry to rip down something that causes 0 trouble in the Gallery.

Tom, thanks on the Nerites suggestion for keeping the rocks clean. I've been toothbrushing them for 2-3 hours per occasion, back-pain starts to get an issue even with my good condition. :) Great and original idea on using wood as rocks in a composition. Requires special wood-shapes but if you...

Thank you Tom, your words mean a lot to me! :oops: Well, we respectfully choose to go the other way. ;) All our other planted tanks (there should be about 11 more at the moment in the Gallery and only 2 low-light) go high-tech, high-light and algae issues are minimal - almost non-existent. No...

Thanks Paulo, I finally got my letter too... :angel: Will post the images soon.

Oh Mark, sorry to hear that. I sure hope you're doing better by now.

Thanks a lot! Do you mean this plant? Then it is Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides (Maritima). This one though is Hydrocotyle Verticillata. Lovely plants both.

A truly wonderful Nano, James. So difficult to properly scape these, you did a fantastic job. Congratulations.

A truly inspiring read indeed. Thanks Mark!

Actually, I made a calculation with the known ingredients of TPN a couple of years ago and compared them to the EI trace levels recommended by Tom Barr. This is the result: To reach EI levels in a planted tank with weekly 50% water changes you need to dose 50 ml / 50 l / day. As Tropica...

Incredible images! Thanks Paulo for posting this, and many thanks to Chris for sharing. A true inspiration indeed.

Cheers Guys, thanks. :oops:

Thanks guys. :angel: Flygja, nice of you to say that, :) but I really do not think it deserves higher ranking... :oops: I know the layout problems here and would do a couple of things differently if I had to redo it. Here is the close-up again. I will post a full-tank picture later, when it...

Congratulations on the IAPLC Top100 Mark. This is a wonderful iwagumi. Love it. I like the way you used the Crypts around the rocks. It is similar to what I had in mind with my composition. Did you also use wendtii 'Tropica'? Could you please post a full-res image for my desktop background? ;)...

Thank you. Can't believe I ranked 64. :) It is just incredible.

Absolutely beautiful George. So natural: rock composition and plant selection are in total harmony. Great tank, love it !!! :clap:

Thanks Guys and yes Garuf, we use RO on this one too. BTW more pictures of this tank here. I'm also a bit concerned about the lighter shade of the rock "B" from right, but we'll see. Might even change it later if it attracts the eye too much. Should be a definite "B" - not an "A-" ;) (in...

Great times on Sat - we just finished scaping a 60P opti-white tank with TMC leds above, about 30 kgs (!) of Seiryu stones, HC, Parvula and mosses. Inspiration (Canyon in Quebec - by Mary-Anne): Moss Defender in action ;) : Attila (Nigro) glued moss on stones: ViktorLantos in...

It seems you have the right tools Michael. You also have the right dosing approach, you should be sure that experience and patience will bring success to you. These are the best times: trying to understand and looking at nature, evolution of aquatic plants, finding the balance. (What is the GH -...

Good luck to all UKAPS entrants! I guess George was right, many have a different approach and do not want to enter competitions. (I've seen too many inspirational and really great tanks here, on UKAPS... ;) ) On the other side - our side, I think we - here in Hungary - were a bit more...

Cheers Antoni. It's probably not by chance. I love the GC. Love AZ. ;) one of the most inspiring places 4 me. Think of my previous tank "Sedona".

Here's what I think: Aquascaping is never about the budget. It is about the nature. You can do great setups on low budget and expensive bad ones. On the other side just think how much one spends on gas or cars or u name it... Everyone with their own madness, right? :)

Thx flygja! :oops: IAPLC entry is done ;) A closeup:

Steve, this rock is imho the most difficult to be used in a hardscape of this kind. It is petrified wood from the Chinese-Mongolian border - the Continental Pole (!) ;) Problem is that it is really difficult to raise these rocks as they are more roundish. So I had to build a glued construction...

Thx guys. Floaters will go as soon as the tank is ready. We had algae problems because of the slow-growing Brasiliensis. Instead of stems we used these to have some "fast-growing-ammonia-and-nutrient-eating" load in the tank. It seems they helped. But I don't like it, so it will be taken out...

Re: GA in-store display 120P Iwagumi We have one 2 kg bottle powering all three nano-s with T-branches and needle valves dividing the gas... We had to mess around a lot to keep them steady, actually killing two Festo needle valves in the process. Turned out they were not very happy with the...

Re: GA in-store display 120P Iwagumi I've been long telling my friends to get some red neon tetras for this tank. ;) They will look lovely later if we switch on the last two remaining Sylvania GroLux pinkish tubes that you can see missing from the reflection on the first picture. It will...

Re: GA in-store display 120P Iwagumi Issues with AM1000 are these: 1. Due to the 9-12-16 mm decreasing size of its ends, if you plug it to a 16/22 hose it is advisable to cut the narrowing ends to keep the flow, so you basically keep only the 16/22 diameter on both ends of the reactor. 2. You...

Re: [IWAGUMI] Project Scree Wow Mate. Great minimalist scape! I love it! Rock placement is perfect - looks so natural. :clap:

Thanks for the answers! Been thinking before if it's Isoetes, but the leaves from the plant in question seem wider, as far as I can tell from the pictures. (Not much info on the Isoetes on the web). After reading your opinions I tend to think that it's valis, will buy some Tropica stuff as...

What do you think the background plant from the right of this ADA tank is? Another tank from the gallery (on the left) should have the same BG plant... I think... It's definitely not Valisneria... Could it be Cyperus Helferi?

Re: "Prairie Lands"...full tank shot Ahhh, get it Mate :) :oops: . Thx for clarifying. :idea:

Re: "Prairie Lands"...The return Are you sure Mate? Your FG looks like Lilaeopsis Brasiliensis to me. So it made me suspicios over the Tenellus thing, and I came over this image, which - if I can read right - says you have Lilaeopsis... ;) :crazy: :shock: :D

IAPLC 2010 Rank: 1169

I am going to quote two studies from the IAPLC topic here, just to have these together in here ;) ... (....)It really does not matter if the focal point is in the centre or at golden ratio... Take island compositions for example. Strong and stunning visual effects can be achieved - and that is...

Exactly. Every picture has points (areas) that attract attention. You almost invariably have a central point of focus. Amano has stressed many times on the importance of A-B-C points, A being the main anchor, B being the second and C the third most important element. We have seen many basic...

I agree with you James. It really does not matter if the focal point is in the centre or at golden ratio... Take island compositions for example. Strong and stunning visual effects can be achieved - and that is usually done by using the gifts of the scaper that you call "a lot more to...

My point exactly! I do totally agree. A very smart man teaching buddhism at a Hungarian university (he also is a dedicated japanese gardens expert) once told me that in order to be successful at oriental gardening (or aquascaping) contests, you just need to know their compositional rules. A...

Congrats Peter and Viktor! As George rightly said, to be in the top 100 means the world. You guys know kung-fu. ;) Respect. Graeme, absolutely unbelievable. :( Really interested to know the reason why you got unevaluated like that... :( You deserve better Mate.

Sure Mate, that's how we know you. :D And thats why we picked your name out of a hat for this. :D

You guys have achieved so much in such a short time. I guess the UKAPS has reached to a point where all (!) the biological, technical and spiritual info is present. Many have reached a level of true aquascaping professionalism here and they just do not know how to continue. It's natural. Like...

Re: Saintly's 'savannah dreaming' @ 2 months I can truly not see the difference between your shots and the ones I quoted, Mate, simply amazing HC. Lush and healthy. I would suggest you try to use larger aperture values with your photography (if lighting would permit), we would like to admire...

Re: Saintly's 'savannah dreaming' @ 2 months Oh, yes, he did this in only 43 days. 8)

Re: Saintly's 'savannah dreaming' @ 2 months I also remember Mr. Barr doing this some time ago:

Re: Tonsers 420L "Triassic Hollow" - Day2 Stunning on all counts, Tony. I will now have to admit that I considered your Peacocks Crypt scape so inspiring that it was set as desktop bkgd on my 24" when you uploaded it. I just realized that you did that on june 22, 2009. ;) Almost a year...

Re: My First Planted Tank "Never Ending Journal" Juwel Rio 1 Inspiring photos as always, Paulo! Must be great to sit on that coach looking to all that beauty. Threadfins are still the best little fish, I have to get some with this quality for my tanks.

The spotless health of you plants always amazes me Paulo. Great tank you've got there Mate! Is that Anubias Petite in the middle of your last image? I've seen some at Interzoo, they look really fabulous. Great FG "spotting" plant or transition plant... And what happened to the Staurogyne?

Re: Tonsers 420L "Triassic Hollow" Observe that he has actually commented my comment on the scape, not the scape itself. :D :lol: Btw he's right... ;)

Re: Tonsers 420L "Triassic Hollow" I keep thinking about your idea of "bending" the composition to the right with all the rocks leaned right. Nature has produced many formations with this "idea in mind", yet I had to experiment a little --- trying to pull the composition back to it's less...

Re: Tonsers 420L "Triassic Hollow" Absolutely gorgeous! Really promising. :thumbup: (The hardscape arrangement is perfect!)

Yes, it is Hygrophila Pinnatifida. Somebody at the stand also told me that if getting proper ferts it does not stay like this and it can grow really wide and big leafs... So he advised me to be careful with it, for this "visual effect" will not last. I really do not know if that is true, I...

Garuf :D -- Good idea, I'll put it in my signature: Keep on Scapin'... :D Here (note Graeme's tank at the end):

OK, so here we go with the best tanks at Interzoo 2010: George and Dan @ Tropica: Graeme @ Tropica (Nature's Privilege - what a fantastic name): The making of the previous photo: Lars Green (?) of Tropica (the incredible Tenellus carpet was pruned several times to keep it dense and...

Hungary - UK aquascaping bridge 3+3! :D Cool to meet you in person, guys! (Keymaker, Nigro, George, Viktor, Dan, Graeme) (Key, Oliver Knott, Nigro, Viktorlantos) I made some photos at the Tropica stand of the stunning UKAPS-Green Machine scapes... I need permission to post them. Can I...

Cheers Guys, thanks. Paulo... :oops: My copy did not arrive yet, but I am really interested to see how the tank images look on the printed page. 8)

I wouldn't do that... The color of your fish contrasts well with the green of the plants and the brown wood... Adding red would only "dissolve" this concise and decisive choice. Like a "spoiler". :)

I like your this tank a lot (fish selection too! :silent: ). There has been quite a time since somebody had a good glosso FG around. I am interested to see how this develops. - Your water looks really clear. What kind of filter material do you use in your JBLs? - Are the bubbles from your...

A study of my friend's, Viktor's tank:

Re: My First Planted Tank "Never Ending Journal" Juwel Rio 1 I think we just might have started the new fish-fashion here, Paulo. ;) Cool images - I just love when males show off... (not in that way of course) :)

I remember seing a description on how he glued them together, but I can't find it for you. It's also possible, that I only saw a similar solution from somebody else... Anyway, you just need to glue them together (with silicone, the same stuff they use for tank glass), and make sure to cover that...

Re: My First Planted Tank "Never Ending Journal" Juwel Rio 1 Cheers Paulo, my Master! Welcome to the rainbow club. The quality of these fish are way better then what I got in Hungary. Gotta push the retailers here to go for the higher standards. I found that there color is shown best if...

A couple of close-ups of rainbows and Red Cherry shrimp:

Can we actually say, that after your "open house" (I just love the English language) morning water change the O2 level in the tank is higher than usual and we actually see the increased pearling due to O2 saturation issues - and it actually has nothing to do with "plant health"? I know, I know...

I can actually confirm what Tom has written - if only for one occurrence. Due to my daily routine I have always changed the water at night. This morning was different though and I went for the pre-lights-on change. Pearling tonight was visibly stronger then yesterday. Tom, I have one question...

Glad I finally have this topic up and running. :D :thumbup: OK, so here's how I see it. If we are to categorize there are two types of creators in art (and aquascaping is trully a form of art): 1. There are the "naturals", those for whom creative instinct comes from within, they do...

original image

Cheers Paulo. This 17-55 Canon lens is a bless. I love these fish too, I just realized that with more time spent in the fish-keeping business I kinda started to appreciate the more subtle colors and sophistication of fish. I guess that applies to us all. :) Thx Steve. With all you mods posting...

This is something I would also be interested to know more about. :idea: If we take Tom Barr's measurement with the CO2 levels dropping hard right after the solenoid off / lights off moment then one would argue that doing water changes short after the photoperiod would not do any harm, as after...

A quick update. Tank shot after trimming.

Thanks guys. Here. I did not really like the "dark mood of it", so I took it apart after these pictures:

Re: Liza's 20L Nano Tank UPDATE: I started a new tank on th 29th of Dec 2009. It looked like this after one month: The tank as of today (3 months): X07 and X08 - img temporarily removed GEAR: - ADA Cube Garden Mini M tank - 20 liters. - ADA Solar Mini M light 5,11 WPG. On timer...

Thanks for the answer, Tom. I am looking forward to your new setup - please post us some tech pictures and description if you have a chance. I'm sure we can learn from it. I still have your old images of your bottom-drilled solutions (both this one and the small tank of yours) as well as your...

:idea: This is an absolutely new approach (to me), I kind of like this idea and "natural" goal. Not to live up to contest-style expectations but to follow a pragmatic approach that has an added bonus (secondary goal if you wish) of looking good. So is the time of bottom-drilled tanks over? Do...

I never thought of a superb tank like this, great idea. A self supporting financial and biological ecosystem! :) :clap: BTW, spotless plant health and incredibly clean look - as always. Still a fan...

Here are some of my photoshop studies... I'll try to add new studies as they come... Oliver Knott knock-out study (how simmetry kills this particular scape): 2009 ADA winner and Bubbles Aquarium comparision (who's copying who?): Nature, and its perfect compositions (a photo taken by a...

It looks like my friend Nigro, over the Hungarian Aquascaping Forum has too much time around Christmas, so he made some pictures for your consideration (and joy ;) ): ADAgoló (in Hungarian Adagolo means Doser ;) ) Heavy metal Super(ge)man Easy life.... :lol:

What a great journal and what a great non-co2 fishtank. I just love your rock-placing and substrate arrangement. This is a true inspiration, Mark.

Re: Liza's 20L Nano Tank Nick, can you use that CO2 diffuser externally? Is your airpump strong enough to push the air through it? Most diffusers need stronger pressure than what an airpump produces.

Re: Liza's 20L Nano Tank That's the exact garbage material that I broke two times when messing with the hoses. Plus for some reason the regular 16/22 hose just keeps leaking on both ends. I had to glue the hose to it and fasten it with plastic "whats-the-english-expression-for-it". Here's what...

Re: Liza's 20L Nano Tank Not even ADA have a solution for everything. :) They have internal air diffusers. I want external... No tech in the tank except glass in- and outflow.

Re: Liza's 20L Nano Tank I have something similar. Not even a bigger 500 lph airpump is strong enough to push the air through it. Yes, I have been considering moving the pump to another room if the gravel solution is not effective, but the main issue is noise from bubble size here.

Re: Liza's 20L Nano Tank That's exactly what I am doing too... ;) It's just that making a 180 cm tank called "without compromises" for it, well, thats an expensive venture. My plans: bottom drilled opti-white 180x60x60 tank with 3x Eheim 2080, ADA light, AS Amazonia, auto fert dosing, CO2, etc...

Re: Liza's 20L Nano Tank I did not mean silence on this forum. :D It looks like there is no solution on the market for this......

Re: Liza's 20L Nano Tank OK, so I've never ever dedicated so much thought and DIY skills-practice to any tank component as to aeration lately. Looks like I'm stuck here: There is no technology in the tank except the glass in- and outflow. This obviously means I have to introduce air through...

Yes, he can get a DC (with 4dKH solution) and Easy Carbo. ;) And yes, he can get a solenoid. :) I think I already told him a while ago. Aggressive? Do not believe everything you hear in your local shop - with all respect to the owner (I know him, he is a wonderful guy and a pro in many areas)...

Welcome on board, Mark! It is an honor for us all to have you in the team. Were they afraid that you'll accept bribes? :D Seriously though, on one side you need to protect the impartial decision-making by protecting the identity of the judges, but on the other hand - being the first...

Same here. ;) Thanks for the info. I just bought a Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS lens - I am more than happy with the image it produces on my 450D. 8)

George, can you tell me a bit about the photography of the tank? Did you use any other lighting besides the 24W T5? What lens (aperture and zoom) did you use?

At least two important lessons here! Thanks for that. I have a very important question to the second issue: With all other conditions ideal - non-limiting nutrients and CO2, proper Ammonia breakdown (filtration), regular water changes, etc. - can low O2 level by itself induce algae? Diatoms...

Re: "Novus Aevum" - 14ltr (DSLR Photos! 05/09/09) Ok, so if you mix all these to 100ml and you dose 1ml to your 14 liter tank every day and you change 50% water weekly --- you will get the following quantities after several weeks: NO3: 42-73ppm (EI range 10-30ppm) PO4: 24-42 (EI range 1-3...

Re: "Novus Aevum" - 14ltr (Photo Update 21/09/2009) Oh, I will do a calculation check, I thought you are dosing 1ml to the 180 liter... :oops: How often do you change the water, and how much?

I have to confirm. For some reason I have extensive feedback from users of an all-in-one solution that we sell that GSA is well present with around 3ppm PO4 in the tank. I wonder what Mr. Plantbrain's opinion is on this. I do not think that EI in it's current form is "outdated" though :). But I...

Nothing to add here, I'm with you on the necessity to simplify things. :idea: I have asolutely no idea what you mean by flavor diversity though. ;) We do not have Ben & Jerry's here - but I'll make sure to assault one next time I'll ravage the overseas anglo-saxon lands. :D Now that I...