So I've been gone a while....but not out by any stretch of the imagination, just haven't posted a whole lot lately. But I just got home from a little adventure and thought the tank looked good so i snapped a few pictures. Its a work in progress and very much an experiment but I'm pleased with how its turning out!
The Concept:
I wanted to create a display in the home that was different than the typical glass box. Ive been working in the industry a while now and get very bored with the glass box + fish type displays I'm surrounded with. I also wanted to combine a few of my other passions with my aquarium keeping: hydroponics and exotic plants.
The Execution:
After months of problem solving, development, and building I finally had something I was proud of. I used an extremely large manzanita branch as a focal point, and attached it to a large hollow log to provide some sort of cover for inhabitants. The manzanita is used as a mounting site for Tillandsia's above the water and will be used for Java ferns beflow the surface, showcasing the variability of air-plants and other epiphytes. I also took the opportunity to add a few of my vast collection of world-wide mangroves or salt tolerant trees to the mix. Their rockwool planters are floating and suspended by string from the tree to allow use of the tank water as a hydroponic medium.
Below the water i plan on adding various tropical lilys (one is in already to test the viability) and other unique aquatics in a sparsely planted system, after all the ]v[onsters are the focal point here.
Stocking is of course Cichla-centric, with currently 7 species in the collection and more in the works. There are some bichirs and other miscellaneous inhabitants as well including a docile Mbu puffer and a freshwater moray.
Enough Jabbering! Pics!
Full Tank Shot:
Tillandsias:
Top Down:
Kelzul:
Temensis:
Ornate Bichir:
The Concept:
I wanted to create a display in the home that was different than the typical glass box. Ive been working in the industry a while now and get very bored with the glass box + fish type displays I'm surrounded with. I also wanted to combine a few of my other passions with my aquarium keeping: hydroponics and exotic plants.
The Execution:
After months of problem solving, development, and building I finally had something I was proud of. I used an extremely large manzanita branch as a focal point, and attached it to a large hollow log to provide some sort of cover for inhabitants. The manzanita is used as a mounting site for Tillandsia's above the water and will be used for Java ferns beflow the surface, showcasing the variability of air-plants and other epiphytes. I also took the opportunity to add a few of my vast collection of world-wide mangroves or salt tolerant trees to the mix. Their rockwool planters are floating and suspended by string from the tree to allow use of the tank water as a hydroponic medium.
Below the water i plan on adding various tropical lilys (one is in already to test the viability) and other unique aquatics in a sparsely planted system, after all the ]v[onsters are the focal point here.
Stocking is of course Cichla-centric, with currently 7 species in the collection and more in the works. There are some bichirs and other miscellaneous inhabitants as well including a docile Mbu puffer and a freshwater moray.
Enough Jabbering! Pics!
Full Tank Shot:
Tillandsias:
Top Down:
Kelzul:
Temensis:
Ornate Bichir:
