Skeleton of a Bush is the Aquascaper’s first serious attempt to create a beautiful aquarium garden. The plant selection was the first major challenge of this aquascape. After a trial with over fifty species, thirty-five species of plants were selected for the aquascape. The goal was to combine the different plant shapes, leave structures and growth rates into a balance aquascape that evoked harmony and fluid-eye movement.

The central focal point and the foundation of the layout consisted of the dead skeleton of a bush plant (located on the right). The piece of driftwood with the thin curled branches was perfect for this aquascape. Crinum calamistratum was planted so that its curled plant leaves would complement the similar shaped branches of the driftwood.

Pagoda stones where placed at the bordering edges of the white sand over the first few months of the aquascape. Also, on the left side, mangrove driftwood was incorporated to balance the side, and complete the aquascape. Lava rock was placed beneath the driftwood to prevent plants from growing under the driftwood.

For the substrate, Seachem Fluorite and Caribsea Eco Complete were placed at the corners of the aquarium where the majority of the stem plants would go. In the center, a wide white sand path was created to add brightness and contrast.

During the first four months, this high-tech, high light aquarium experienced algae issues. Extensive research on plant biology, fertilizers, carbon dioxide injection, algae, and lighting helped the Aquascaper understand the needs of the plants to the point where the Aquascaper developed a “feel” for the aquarium. This led to regular following of the Estimate Index and PMDD fertilization methods that ensured plant health and the eradication of algae. For fertilizing, a formula of KNO3, K2SO4, Fleet enema, Power4, Seachem Iron and Epsom salts is dosed.

Trimming takes part every week for the stem plants such as Heteranthera zosterifolia (Stargrass), Micranthemum umbrosum, Hemanthius micranthemoides, and Glossostigma elantinoides. Sometimes two or three weeks would pass without a trimming for some slower growing plants to ensure a balance and rhythmic growth of all the plants in the aquarium. Water parameters are: pH 6.6-6.8, NO3 20-30 ppm, PO4 1-2 ppm, DH 8, Kh 4. Every Monday a 50% water change and maintenance of the two external filters and the internal DIY filter occurs. The DIY filter is composed of a 1000L Eheim pump head, and is also responsible for carbon dioxide diffusion.

As the first true aquascape achieved by the Aquascaper, Skeleton of a Bush is a great achievement and far beyond the level of where the Aquascaper thought he would be. This aquascape received a 6th place ranking in the large category and a 10th place world ranking at the Acuavida Aquascaping Contest 2009. It also received a 66th ranking in the 2009 International Aquascaping Plant Layout Contest (IAPLC).

Deep Mystic River

Miracle Valley

White Stone

Java Backwoods

Red & Green

Forest of equilibrium

Island

Power Of Nature

Planted Aquarium by Roy Deki

Planted Aquarium by Stephen Rountree

Planted Aquarium by Dedy Tamara

Planted Aquarium by Mark R. Briegel

Planted Aquarium by Matt Helgeson

Location: Kölle-Zoo Karlsruhe
Size: 130cm x 60cm x 60cm
Volume: 460 Liter
Lightning: 4 x 38 Watt (T8)
Plants: Crinum thaianum

Introduction and Background
I have been in the ornamental fish hobby for more than 20 Years now (since I was 18 ) and have gone through Cichlids, Discus, saltwater (marine + reef) and more. My introduction to planted tanks goes back 15 years ago with my first low-tech, low-light, yeast CO2 system. Since then, a lot of water and fertilizers has flown. I find this hobby and particularly aquascaping as part of me and my day-to-day life and I totally enjoy attending to my aquariums (and paludariums) for at least two hours every day. I am glad to introduce everyone to one of my tanks which was established in the end of December 2007. This tank is installed in my home office and is my largest planted tank.

About the Layout
The picture I had in mind was a combination of Dutch and nature style tank packed with green and red plants. I have chosen quartz rocks (you can barely see them today) as decoration and arranged them as high mountains with the golden ratio in mind.

Specifications:
Tank: Rena 1.5 meter – 450 liter (330 liter net)
Lighting: light 1.25 WPL (6 X 54W T5 + 5 X 18W Osram Mini Twist at the sides)
Chiller: Teco TR-15 Chiller
Carbon: CO2 + PH controller + 2 outside reactors
Filtration: 2 X Eheim pro 3 2028
Ultraviolet Sterilization: 36W UV
Substrate Heating: Under substrate Heating cable – Rena 15m 100W
Substrate: 1st layer Pumice 2cm, 2nd layer Pumice+peat+humus 3cm, 3rd layer JBL Aquabasis 2cm, 4th layer crushed quartz 5cm.
Water Parameters: pH-5.9, KH-1Gdh, GH-3Gdh, CO2-40ppm, NO3-15ppm, PO4-1.5ppm, 275ms, Temp.-25.5c.

Discus, Neon Tetra, Cherry and Amano Shrimp, Otocinclus, Ancistrus, Florida flag, other tetras, and few more…

Tank maintenance:
Besides aquascaping, the tank is fully automated, including:
Automatic water change (100% RO), 100% a week.
Automatic DIY fertilization with peristaltic pumps – KNO3, KH2PO4, KCL, MgSO4, CaCl2, Iron gluconate, Iron EDTA, CSM+B, Flourish Excel.

Technique:
The aquarium is trimmed at least twice a week. Parts of the plants are trimmed from their upper part and part from their lower, all the time trying to maintain a nice flow of colors and density.

Final Thoughts:
The tank is constantly changing in plants species and arrangement and I will try to continue and update it on the forum.

This is Tank of the Month for January 2009 by l’envolée, from one of French members, voultou  in Aquatic Plant Central. And this is some his explanation about this tank.

Specifications
The tank dimensions : 120 x 50 x 40cm = 240 liters
Lighting : 2×38w tropical delux daylight (6000K), dennerle’s reflectors
Filtration : internal filter Rio standard Pump Juwel 100L/H pump brewing nano Koralia 900L/H
CO2 supply : Dennerle’s comfort line + flipper
Substrate : soil nutrient + quartz size 2-3 mm gravel
Fertilization : home-made solutions from dry ferts (NPK and trace elements)
NO3 : 18ppm/week
K : 5ppm/week
PO4 if needed
Water parameters : pH 7, KH 7, GH 10

Setup
For the setup, i had just torn down the old setup and the substrate was very dirty, so I didn’t take any picture of it.
In the next pictures, you can see the evolution of the layout.

3 months after setup: It’s taking shape but some of the plants need to grow in a little more.

After the last trimming : I only had to wait two or three weeks after that.

Flora and Fauna
Flora : Cryptocoryne balansae var crispatulata, Eusteralis sp, Limnobium laevigatum, Echinodorus tennelus, Eleocharis parvula, Hemianthus calitrichoides “cuba”, Heteranthera zosterifolia, Micranthemenum, umbrosum, Hemianthus micranthemoides, Hydrocotyle leucocephala, Cryptocoryne wendtii “green”

Fauna : Laetacara dorsigera, Paracheirodon axelrodi, Otocinclus affinis, Crossocheilus siamensis, Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki, Carnegiella strigata, Caridina multidentata, Neritina sp, Melanoides tuberculata, Clithon diadema

Maintenance
No water changes, trimming every 3 weeks

1st Prize Planted Tank

2nd Prize Planted Tank

3rd Prize Planted Tank

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Other Plant Tank