This 180cm planted freshwater tank is relatively new, about three months old, and is designed to evoke a 'follow me deep into the forest' aesthetic. The aquascape features ferns attached with twist ties and ricardia moss that has spread unexpectedly. The host believes the tank will reach its full potential in 9 to 12 months.
Tank 02
countertop jungle
low-tech planted freshwater
Style
This low-tech countertop tank is designed with a 'countertop jungle' look, featuring plants attached to hardscape like Ricardia, Anubias, and moss. It uses an old H halogen light and requires minimal maintenance, primarily wiping glass and small water changes. The host enjoys integrating house plants with this aquarium style.
Lighting
H hallogen light
Water Changes
change a little water
This nature aquarium features a very long-leafed version of narrow leaf Java fern, a plant made famous by Mr. Amano. The tank has experienced some challenges, including fuzzy algae growth in low-flow areas, which the host has learned to accept as part of the aquarium's natural evolution. It aims for a classic Japanese nature aquarium style.
This smaller display tank features super blue carry tetras, which are aggressive towards Amano shrimp, leading to an algae problem that would normally be managed by the shrimp. The host is addressing the algae with manual removal and frequent water changes, while enjoying the unique fish.
Water Changes
manual removal and a lot of water changes
Tank 05
paladarium / foresta style
This paludarium, or 'foresta style' tank, is considered a 'new starter kit' due to its ease of maintenance. It features plants that thrive on a moss wall and in a constant flow of water and humidity, with minimal water changes. The host enjoys keeping emblers in the small water portion, finding them very happy and domesticated.
Water Changes
very small, very minimal
This newer shallow saltwater tank uses an unconventional canister filter for filtration. The host notes that the anemones' presentation is a good indicator of filter cleanliness and water quality, often improving within 48 hours of maintenance. The tank contains clownfish and anemones, with a focus on managing nutrient export in a small water volume.
Filtration
canister filter
Tank 07
Iwagumi style
Iwagumi planted freshwater
Style
This large Iwagumi style tank pays homage to the classic aesthetic with three stones and a single carpet species of grass. It uses two ADA Superjet ES2400 canister filters for balanced growth and includes a UV sterilizer. The host employs a strategy of heavy tablet fertilization and minimal water column fertilization, resulting in very low algae and easy maintenance once stable.
Dosing
tablet fertilization
Filtration
canister filter
Water Changes
huge frequent water changes (when new), drain and fill (when stable)
This ADA 90U tank, a tall 90cm model, features a simple three-stone arrangement of classic dragon stone. The original vision for red tiger lotus to grow to the top has not materialized despite tablet fertilization and sufficient light. The tank has evolved with a large mass of Ludwigia and is nearing a point where the host plans to redo the layout due to its current maintenance demands.
Tank 09
fire and ice theme
This tank, referred to as a 'fire and ice theme,' features a unique 'hefe stone' with red plants and white sand. The host admits the white sand requires significant daily maintenance, including siphoning debris. The layout was created using available overstock plants like Limnophila and Ludwigia Peruviana, rather than a grand design, and is also slated for a future redesign to reduce maintenance.
Water Changes
daily siphon of debris
This tank showcases a unique background plant, Persicaria (formerly Polygonum), which is challenging to find commercially but easy to grow with CO2 and good light. It also features 'irrial feather duster' grass, a slow-growing, non-invasive plant that provides a fine grass texture without runners. The host appreciates these unique plants for their aesthetic and manageable growth.
This 750-gallon custom-fabricated reef tank is a new installation, about three months into stocking, with an expected two-year maturation period. It features a Kessil track lighting system designed to eliminate visible cables and a Hydro auto-dosing system for automation and stability, catering to custom installation clients who rely on weekly technician visits.
Water Changes
weekly (by technicians)
This display tank is home to seven fire eels of varying sizes, which are fed at the end of the day according to their established circadian rhythm. The aquascape features pieces of wood chosen to mimic the eels' shape, with some even resembling an eel's head. The host is patient with adding fish to this aquarium, focusing on the fire eels as the main feature.
Tank 13
Tank 13
shallow planted freshwater
Style
90 cm shallow
This 90cm shallow tank features a complex hardscape structure to prevent soil spillage, allowing marginal plants to grow with only an inch of water contact. The host has spent time refining the composition of marginal and immersed plants, including a locally collected species that can take over if not trimmed. The tank aims to create a natural 'water's edge' feel, with elements evolving on their own.
This tank is an experiment in minimalist design, using only a backlight panel and no top light, creating a unique dimension for the rimless tank. It houses a group of captive-raised glass cats, chosen for their visual interest and docile nature. The setup includes a raised lily pipe for extra oxygenation and a surface skimmer to manage oily film, showcasing an alternative to traditional planted aquascapes.
Filtration
surface skimmer
captive raised glass cats
Tank 15
Tank 15
hardscape only freshwater
Style
120U
This 120-gallon 120U tank started as hardscape only, featuring a unique piece of Texas select wood sculpted by wood-eating plecos from a client's aquarium. The host added narrow leaf Java fern as an afterthought, aiming to display the sculptural wood and create an aquatic scene around it. The substrate is an experimental mix of five or six different products, and the tank is very low maintenance, primarily requiring glass cleaning and water changes.
Water Changes
water change
Tank 16
Tank 16
9 ft, 24 in tall
This 9-foot, 24-inch tall tank is a newer installation designed to create a 'wall of water' feeling, with custom cabinetry still pending. It houses tank-raised Altum Angels, which have been surprisingly hardy and easy to acclimate, along with some older fish. The host plans to swap the current sand substrate for a larger grain or fine gravel to address issues with sand piling and improve the overall design.
tank raised Altim Angelsgeos
