Inspirational biotopes and natural looking aquariums

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Nice find.Not seen this one before. Some great set ups.Thanks for posting.
I have been looking around quite a bit to get ideas. My tanks are plain and utilitarian, and definately need some work. Just glad you started this thread.
 
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Awesome stuff. Can't see the new updates, thanks school wifi

My 15 gallon has asian fish but not so much the plants. Rosy barbs and a paradise fish but it has Elodea, Christmas moss, anubias, anubias sp spear and java fern. Not sure where elodea or the moss comes from.

My 70 gallon will soon be all African fish but I can't be bothered about plants due to rarity :(
 
Awesome stuff. Can't see the new updates, thanks school wifi

My 15 gallon has asian fish but not so much the plants. Rosy barbs and a paradise fish but it has Elodea, Christmas moss, anubias, anubias sp spear and java fern. Not sure where elodea or the moss comes from.

My 70 gallon will soon be all African fish but I can't be bothered about plants due to rarity :(
Elodea is native to North and south America.

Can't you get anubias or African lotus lily,they are very easy to source in the UK?
They are both African and easy to grow.
 
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Elodea is native to North and south America.

Can't you get anubias or African lotus lily,they are very easy to source in the UK?
They are both African and easy to grow.
If I can source them then I definitely want the lily, And anubias are not too hard to find. Currently there is Java moss, Java fern, a bit of vallis and 2 large sword plants.

If I get a full tank bottom substrate then I would love the lilies. What do they need in terms of light and fertiliser? And are there floating plants that are easy from Africa as well?
 
It looks like it can get out of control easily?

I'm also looking at crinum and bolbitis. Has anyone kept thse plants before?
 
If I can source them then I definitely want the lily, And anubias are not too hard to find. Currently there is Java moss, Java fern, a bit of vallis and 2 large sword plants.

If I get a full tank bottom substrate then I would love the lilies. What do they need in terms of light and fertiliser? And are there floating plants that are easy from Africa as well?

The lotus lily I found easy to grow under quite basic lighting,2 t8 fluorescent tubes was all I had at the time.
They do like a little food.I can never be bothered with high tech fertilisers and co2 and all that hassle.
I used to push a rabbit dropping(yeah I know,sounds weird)into the substrate by the bulb part of the plant.The plants thrived and filled the tank with stems roots and big healthy leaves.
This type of food may sound a bit unorthodox but it's quite safe and has no noticeable affects on the cycle of the tank.
I have a relative close by with a pet rabbit so it was an easy option for me.

Not sure about floating African plants but once your lily takes off,it soon covers the surface with
Nice big leaves.
 
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Awesome thread! Biotopes are about the only kind of tank I keep anymore. I'll have to upload some pictures later.

The AGA Biotope contest is always a great source of inspiration. This year certainly didn't disappoint.

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2016/
 
The lotus lily I found easy to grow under quite basic lighting,2 t8 fluorescent tubes was all I had at the time.
They do like a little food.I can never be bothered with high tech fertilisers and co2 and all that hassle.
I used to push a rabbit dropping(yeah I know,sounds weird)into the substrate by the bulb part of the plant.The plants thrived and filled the tank with stems roots and big healthy leaves.
This type of food may sound a bit unorthodox but it's quite safe and has no noticeable affects on the cycle of the tank.
I have a relative close by with a pet rabbit so it was an easy option for me.

Not sure about floating African plants but once your lily takes off,it soon covers the surface with
Nice big leaves.
That's cool, I have heard of rabit droppings before. Do you have pics of your lilies?

Tbh I want something that's completely floating and can be thinned out fairly easily
 
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