hydrophyte
Member
- Joined
- 22 Aug 2009
- Messages
- 1,051
Horses' Teeth - Desert Vernal Pool
This project is subject to change, but I have some hardscape in the tank and a few ideas.
For another recent build I used a sandstone slab that I just found to be very dramatic and appealing. So I decided to try something similar in a different enclosure. The general idea is to represent the unique biota and atmosphere of a desert vernal pool. I have a few specific things in mind.
The tank is a UNS 60S (600mm X 360mm X 180mm) on a DIY stand.
Initially I hoped to find a single large, flat slab at the landscape supplier yard, but nothing like that of the right size materialized. But I did manage to find a few of these more blocky, but naturally-weathered pieces. The scale isn't really correct at all, but I thought that these two together made a nice representation of a desert butte setting.
This will look more convincing with some more gravel of different sizes, especially around the bases of the stones. I also have some ideas for botanicals and other decorations to reinforce the desert ecosystem theme.
Submerged aquatic macrophytes are not especially representative for vernal pools—it's a difficult environment for them—but there are species of marginal semi-aquatic or wet-soil plants that specialize here. So I'm using a riparium planting instead. While not vernal pool species, I hope these plants I've rounded up can represent the general appearance. This is Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan', Hygrophila 'Araguaia' and Pogonatherum crinitum. These are also subject to change, but I got them divided and potted up tonight.
I'm using this new style of riparium planter. This is a small, compact design that should hide pretty well in this tank.
That's it for now. I'll get these in the tank and try to do an update pretty soon.
Thanks for stopping by!
This project is subject to change, but I have some hardscape in the tank and a few ideas.
For another recent build I used a sandstone slab that I just found to be very dramatic and appealing. So I decided to try something similar in a different enclosure. The general idea is to represent the unique biota and atmosphere of a desert vernal pool. I have a few specific things in mind.
The tank is a UNS 60S (600mm X 360mm X 180mm) on a DIY stand.
Initially I hoped to find a single large, flat slab at the landscape supplier yard, but nothing like that of the right size materialized. But I did manage to find a few of these more blocky, but naturally-weathered pieces. The scale isn't really correct at all, but I thought that these two together made a nice representation of a desert butte setting.
This will look more convincing with some more gravel of different sizes, especially around the bases of the stones. I also have some ideas for botanicals and other decorations to reinforce the desert ecosystem theme.
Submerged aquatic macrophytes are not especially representative for vernal pools—it's a difficult environment for them—but there are species of marginal semi-aquatic or wet-soil plants that specialize here. So I'm using a riparium planting instead. While not vernal pool species, I hope these plants I've rounded up can represent the general appearance. This is Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan', Hygrophila 'Araguaia' and Pogonatherum crinitum. These are also subject to change, but I got them divided and potted up tonight.
I'm using this new style of riparium planter. This is a small, compact design that should hide pretty well in this tank.
That's it for now. I'll get these in the tank and try to do an update pretty soon.
Thanks for stopping by!
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