The

Aquatic
Gardener

Journal of the Aquatic Gardeners Association, Inc.

Volume 21  Number 3 Jul – Sept 2008

 The Aquatic Gardener
Journal of the Aquatic Gardeners Association, Inc.
Volume 21  Number 3 July – September 2008

Contents
Aquatic Plant News....................................................................................................................6
Interzoo 2008 – small is beautiful...................................................................................... 10
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides.................................................................................................... 18
Nature Aquarium for Cyprinids........................................................................................... 22
Thailand—In Search of Cryptocoryne albida................................................................. 30
My Big Aquarium..................................................................................................................... 37

TAG Editor AGA Purpose

Cheryl Rogers •  to disseminate information about aquatic plants
[email protected] •  to study and improve upon techniques for
Technical Editor   culturing aquatic and bog plants in aquariums
Karen A. Randall   and ponds
[email protected] •  to increase interest in aquatic gardening
•  to promote fellowship among its members
Advertising
Scott Hieber
[email protected] Web Site  www.aquatic-gardeners.org

AGA Membership/Renewal Rates

US/Canada/Mexico:
1 yr  $20   2 yr  $38   3 yr  $54
Other Countries:
1 yr  $23   2 yr  $44   3 yr  $63
(Includes airmail for TAG)
Membership includes 4 issues of this
periodical each year. To join or renew, please
go to www.aquatic-gardeners.org/member.
html or mail a check or money order (in US
funds) to AGA Membership PO Box 51536
Denton TX 76206 USA. Payments to the AGA
are not deductible as charitable contribu-
tions for US Federal income tax purposes.

The Aquatic Gardener ISSN 1073-6999

Reprint Policy: Reproduction of original articles appearing in The Aquatic Gardener (TAG) may
be allowed under certain circumstances. Please contact the Senior Editor or visit our web site for
specific reprint requirements.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of The Aquatic Gardener or The Aquatic Gardeners Association, Inc.
Contributions: Artwork, photographs and articles are welcome from any source and may be
submitted to the Senior Editor for consideration. We request first publication rights for articles ac-
cepted. Please contact Cheryl Rogers at [email protected] for submission guidelines.

Cover photo by Karen Randall of blooming Cryptocoryne albida.

 Aquatic Gardeners Association
2008 Convention Nov. 14 - 16 in Atlanta!
Wanna see Takashi Amano demonstrate an aquascape? Are you dying
to meet Loh “Moss Guy” Kwek Leong’s famous Professor Tan live and in
person? Would you like to learn how to reproduce aquatic plants via tis-
sue culture from the comfort of your living room? How about jetting off
on a collecting trip to Thailand?

Would you like to see all this AND MORE in

one fabulous weekend?
The AGA is proud to announce that the 2008 Aquatic Gardeners
Association Convention will be held the weekend of November 14 ­– 16,
2008, at the Atlanta Sheraton, within walking distance of the Georgia
Aquarium for Friday morning’s Field Trip ($23.50, optional).
We have a great speaker line-up:
Takashi Amano: aquascaping lecture and demonstration
Professor Benito Tan: aquatic mosses
Dr. Michael Kane of the University of Florida: tissue culture
Jeff Senske: space/design and the aquarium
Greg Morin, CEO of Seachem: TBA, but it’s bound to be good
Karen Randall: collecting in Thailand

Friday night will include the return of The Iron Aquascaper, spon-
sored by Aquarium Design Group. Watch two masters go at it in a head-
to-head competition using only the aquaria and plants given to them.
Saturday night will feature our banquet and 2008 International Aquas-
caping Contest awards. Sunday, spend your hard-earned cash on the
largest aquatic-plant auction in the US. Find some new species, load up on
something you haven’t seen in a while, or sell your own plants.
Between talks, chat with fellow hobbyists and speakers. After the eve-
nings’ events, kick back and enjoy a free snack or beverage in the
Hospitality Suite.

Costs: Registration $59 Registration+Banquet $99 Guest Banquet $40

Hotel: $109 per night, please register through the hotel link at :
www.aquatic-gardeners.org/convention.html. The cutoff date to receive
the convention room rate is October 15th.
More information will soon be posted on the web site, on the forum,
and sent directly to your e-mail Inbox. See you in Atlanta Nov. 14 ­– 16!

All Plant-Heads — All Weekend! AGA’08!

 Aquatic Plant News Aquatic Plant Central Sold to ments to APC on the backend and
CrowdGather, Inc. updating some of our features, such
Aquatic Plant Central (www. as the Fertilator. I think it’s a good
aquaticplantcentral.com) was sold fit for the site to take it to the next
Wilma Duncan & The Cause local club that wants it. Just send an
e-mail with a snail mail address to in June 2008 to CrowdGather, Inc. level.
If you haven’t heard of Wilma
[email protected]. Previous owner and long-time AGA “At the end of the day, APC
Duncan and her charity, “The
member Art Giacosa stated that is what it is because of its super
Cause” then you are either very new
AGA Member Opens New work responsibilities had prevented dedicated admins and moderators
to the hobby or you live in a cichlid
DIY Online Store him from maintaining APC as it and, of course, its wonderful mem-
cave! Wilma Duncan has been serv-
Jeremy Harper has started a needed, and sponsorships rarely bers. Who owns it is really almost
ing the hobby since the early 1990s,
new business, called Oregon Aqua covered the expenses. irrelevant. As long as someone who
donating fish, plants and related
Design. It will fill a much-needed When asked for comment, Art cares keeps the servers going, the
equipment to children, the elderly
niche in the aquarium hobby: Do- said, “The site is currently owned community is what matters most.”
and the disabled. Naturally there
It-Yourself parts. This store is for by CrowdGather, a good company CrowdGather, Inc. owns a large
has been a huge demand, and as the
people who want to buy a hard-to- dedicated to forums and with a group of forums that cover a wide
requests grew so did the need for
find item, but don’t want to buy a very active and knowledgeable staff. variety of interests. Visit their web
financial support.
caselot of 25 when they only need They are doing many improve- site at www.crowdgather.com.
Friends suggested that she
file for non-profit status so that one, or pay US $22 shipping for
she could apply for grants and a $3 part. Says Jeremy in a recent
corporate funding. After consider- e-mail, “What gave me the idea for
able thought she began a long and this was a DIY reactor design. It
expensive process to reach 501(c) called for 2" clear PVC. Although
3 status. This was accomplished in regular PVC would have worked, I
early 2008. loved the way it looked with clear
They now have some exciting PVC. Well, no one will sell 1 foot
and expanded goals. The Cause will of clear PVC, only 10 feet.
continue to provide much-needed “Since I couldn’t find a retailer, I
aquarium items to individuals, but became one! I looked at all the stuff
also educational material on all I wanted for my projects. Some
aspects of aquarium keeping. They items were cheap, but the company
will work with all levels of govern- requires a minimum quantity or
ment to provide information to huge shipping charges. So I figured
the public via educational seminars I could take the hit on shipping
on the role of invasive and non- and resell items in quantities and at
invasive species of aquarium fish, prices people could handle.”
fauna and flora that exist in our Jeremy is also putting together
ecosystems. “kits” for common DIY projects
You can visit Wilma’s web site at and has new items coming in all
www.wilmasthecause.org. Printed the time. Check out the web site at
information is also available to any www.oregonaquadesign.com.

6  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  7

 AGA Bookstore!
The Aquarium Plant Handbook
From Oriental Aquarium, this 185-page full color book is more
than double the size of Oriental’s two previous “catalogue”
books, features additional photographs and text descriptions
of most aquarium plants, and an introduction by Takashi
Amano. A great value for a reference book!  $25
Non-AGA Members add $5.

Ecology of the Planted Aquarium, 2nd. Ed.

This 194-page, hardcover book by Diana Walstad presents
useful information on the interaction of plants with bacteria,
algae, etc. Figures, tables, and references are taken directly
from the scientific literature. Questions and Answers and an
easy-to-read text apply the scientific information to keeping a
low-maintenance aquarium. AGA exclusive! All copies sold via
the AGA are autographed by the author. $30
Non-AGA Members add $5.

The Aquatic Gardener & Planted Aquaria Back Issues

Missed out on a great article? Want to see last year’s
AGA aquascaping winners or convention highlights? In
the AGA Bookstore you can order all recent color back
issues of TAG.
In addition, the AGA has acquired the remaining stock
of Dave Gomberg’s Planted Aquaria magazine (PAM) and
is offering it as part of our back issue sales.
The Aquatic Gardener Vol. 17 #1, #2, #3, #4,  Vol. 18 #2,
#3, #4,  Vol. 19 #1, #2, #3, #4,  Vol. 20 #1, #2, #3, #4,  Vol.
21 #1, #2.
Single Issue  $6 (Specify #)
6+4 Issue Special  $40—All 6 issues of PAM plus 4 random TAGs.
Planted Aquaria #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 and #8.  Single Issue  $3 (Specify #)

Ordering/Shipping Information for Books & Back Issues—Prices include

shipping within the USA. Place your order at the AGA web site online at
www.aquatic-gardeners.org/bookstore.html, or to order by mail send check or
money order payable to AGA with your order to AGA Bookstore PO Box 51536
Denton TX 76201. Not in the USA? E-mail [email protected] for shipping!

Please allow 2 – 4 weeks for delivery. Items are normally shipped within 1 week of payment.
 Interzoo 2008 – small is beautiful named Caridina dennerli after one for it will be enormous.
Ole Pedersen. Photos by the author unless otherwise noted. of the biggest German companies So how do the companies
in the aquarium business, Denner- deal with this nano and shrimp
le. This creature is truly fantastic trend? Tropica Aquarium Plants,
Interzoo is Europe’s largest pet the internet it is difficult to control and I hope it will prove easy to for example, built a whole wall
fair. It is held every second year in the development in the market and breed or it could easily become ex- with nano layouts designed by Jan
May in the fantastic surroundings I will bet my last dollar that nano tinct because I believe the demand Ole Pedersen. Like other stuff he
of Nuremberg, Bavaria in Germany. tanks are mushrooming everywhere
Unfortunately, the fair is not open in the world, if not already, then
to the public and thus, I think it is within the next couple of years.
worthwhile to report on what is hot Fortunately, the nano trend
and trendy in the aquarium hobby fits nicely with another hot
as seen from Europe. In short, the trend—shrimps! I saw shrimps in
trend is going in the “nano” direc- Nuremberg that I have never seen
tion, so small is beautiful! before. One of them was the new
None of the companies to white-dotted cardinal red shrimp
which I refer in this article are from Sulawesi. It has not yet been
really big players on the American scientifically described, but accord-
market, but I believe that trends ing to shrimp experts in University
in our hobby are worldwide. With of Humboldt in Berlin, it will be

Three very different tanks presented at Tropica’s booth at Interzoo 2008.  Top: This
tank is approximately 3.5 liters [1 gal.]; for comparison, note the Amano shrimp in the
lower right.  Middle: This aquascape is truly fantastic—only 6 liters and yet, a fabulous
A brand new shrimp from Sulawesi in Indonesia that has not been scientifically feeling of horizontal depth in this tank. It is fitted with a nice CO2 injection kit from
described yet. It is less than 20 mm long but still the most eye-catching creature you AquaArt in Poland. For perspective, there is an Amano shrimp in the lower left cor-
could possibly keep in a nano tank. The tentative scientific name is Caridina dennerli ner.  Bottom: A 420-liter [110 gal.] beauty; I did not see any other tank matching this
named after the German company Dennerle. masterpiece at the fair.  All aquascapes were designed by Jan Ole Pedersen, Tropica.

10  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  11

designs, these were different from Aquastabil provided the aquarium, rate of the exoskeleton resulting lighting, CO2 injection kits, pumps
most other nano tanks at the fair. the cabinet and the Effectline lamp in “skin problems” and infections and filters, and heaters all made
Tropica’s nano tanks were generally hovering over this beautiful aquar- that could not be treated. JBL is or modified for the nano tank.
elongated, shallow but with great ium plant nursery, whereas JBL known for their strong relationship Their nano tanks are produced by a
horizontal depth providing a 3D provided the huge external filter with science and they teamed up Taiwanese company that apparently
effect, which otherwise can be dif- and the CO2 injection set. with leading European crustacean produces most of the nano tanks
ficult to obtain in these nano tanks. JBL of Germany was one the experts to develop suitable shrimp on the European market. Basically,
However, not everything in Tropi- few companies that had not gone and crayfish diets. They came up they are all made from three pieces
ca’s booth was nano. They launched totally small and made everything with the best crustacean food on of glass: the bottom, the back and
a new sales display for potted plants nano. Conservative, you may the European market characterized then, in one piece, the front and
that holds 240 pots of aquarium say? Yes, but they had focused on by low content of animal protein, the two sides which are made of
plants, nicely presented by a gentle the other part of the trend—the but high in plant protein, and with bended glass. This construction
slope allowing the display to be shrimps. JBL was the first company the correct amount of minerals method provides an exclusive look
observed from all sides. The sales to develop custom-made food for needed to support the growth of the because there are no visible junc-
display tank is fitted with T5 shrimps and crayfish. When crus- exoskeleton. The food is also rich in tions seen from the front. Some
lighting and pH-controlled CO2 taceans started invading our tanks, detritus, which is the natural diet for of these tanks are fitted with a
injection so that the plants can be people soon realized that feeding most crayfish and many shrimps. glass lid to reduce evaporation and
stored under optimum conditions high-protein fish food to these The shrimps need a home—the formation of mineral deposits on
for a longer time in the shops. The modest creatures often resulted nano tank and all its associated the glass. Dennerle’s CO2 injection
design is Danish and the technique in fast growth. But the growth technique. Dennerle, unfortunately kit is, however, 100% their own
is German: a strong combination. exceeded the natural turnover absent in America, provides tanks, product and it is nice. It comes in

Far Left: The Tropica Aquarium

Plants booth at Interzoo 2008.

Left: Their new sales display tank for

potted plants, so that the plants can
be stored under optimum condi-
tions for a longer time in the shops.

12  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  13

 The Amazon in your living room…
two versions; one with and one sensor could be used to control the You have the dream, Tropica turns it into reality. We import
without a solenoid valve. But both temperature to a preset set-point. plants from all over the world
models are small and beautifully The Italian ELOS is the Bang – from the rain forests of
designed— something you do not & Olufsen within the aquarium
Brazil to the watercourses of
mind placing next to your nano hobby. Some may argue that
tank right on the desktop. I found Amano’s Aqua Design holds that
New Zealand. So no matter
the internal filter and the heater less position but they were not pres- whether you are looking for
attractive. I believe the company ent at Interzoo so I could not tell. attractive ornamental plants
needs to work a bit more on these ELOS had also gone nano although or compact foreground
items before they meet the design not quite as small as most other plants, plants on stone
standard of the CO2 injection sys- companies (see Box 1). But ELOS or rooted plants, we have
tem. And it is very much about de- had a state-of-art LED lamp for what you want. There are
sign because the nano tanks are too nano tanks and I was exited with countless options and only
small to hide the equipment; it is the design and its fantastic output. your imagination imposes
constantly visible and thus, it must LED lamps are based on light- limits on what you can
be presentable. I was surprised that emitting diodes rather than glowing
achieve in your aquarium.
no companies offered “external” filaments or gas. They are small
heaters in the form of heat mats and thus, perfectly fitted for nano
This catalogue takes you on
used in terraria. These low-voltage purposes. However, their individual an inspiring journey to the
mats are simple place beneath the light emission is low and thus, they underwater world of aquatic
tank and if needed, a small external are placed in clusters to provide plants so you can create
your own Amazon at home.
Have a great trip!
Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv' 008B Nesaea crassicaulis 033B
Right:  Dennerle’s 25 L [6.6 gal.] PRICE GROUP: POT 9 XL 11 AquaDecor PRICE GROUP: POT 5

nano tank fitted with their new FAMILY:

ORIGIN:
Polypodiaceae

Cultivar
FAMILY:

ORIGIN:
Lythraceae

Africa

nano CO2 injection system (the

HEIGHT: 10 - 20 cm HEIGHT: 30 - 50 cm

WIDTH: 12 - 18+ cm WIDTH: 8+ cm

TEMPERATURE: 18 - 30°C TEMPERATURE: 22 - 28°C

small aluminum cylinder) with GH:

pH:
1 - 20 dH

5-8
GH:

pH:
1 - 13 dH

5.5 - 8.5

pressure reducer and solenoid

CODE: D CODE: A

LIGHT: LOW HIGH LIGHT: LOW HIGH

valve. GROWTH RATE:

DEMANDS:
SLOW

EASY
FAST

DIFFICULT
GROWTH RATE:

DEMANDS:
SLOW

EASY
FAST

DIFFICULT

Below:  A whole new line of

custom-made food for shrimps Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv’ is a patented variety of Microsorum pteropus, named after Tropica’s Nesaea crassicaulis is a beautiful and highly recommended aquarium plant, although it has high demands

and crayfish.
founder Holger Windeløv. Its finely branched leaf tips make it one of the most beautiful aquarium plants. A for light. It has red-brown, cognac-coloured leaves. Grows best in soft and slightly acidic water. Make sure

hardy and easy plant for both beginners and the more experienced. Best results are obtained by planting it the lower leaves get sufficient light, otherwise they will die off. This plant is similar to Ammannia-species

on a stone or tree root. If planted in the bottom the horizontal rhizome must not be covered. This plant is not and is often mistaken for them. But in the aquarium it can be recognised by its yellow-green stems. Easy to

eaten by herbivorous fish. propagate by side shoots or cuttings, which can be cut off and planted in the bottom.

Monosolenium tenerum 002C Nesaea pedicellata 033C

PRICE GROUP: POR 7 AquaDecor PRICE GROUP: POT 6

FAMILY: Monoseleniaceae FAMILY: Lythraceae

ORIGIN: Asia ORIGIN: Africa

HEIGHT: 2 - 5+ cm HEIGHT: 20 - 40+ cm

WIDTH: 3 - 10+ cm WIDTH: 10 - 20+ cm

TEMPERATURE: 5 - 28°C TEMPERATURE: 22 - 30°C

GH: 1 - 30 dH GH: 4 - 20 dH

pH: 5-8 pH: 5.5 - 8

CODE: K CODE: A

LIGHT: LOW HIGH LIGHT: LOW HIGH

GROWTH RATE: SLOW FAST GROWTH RATE: SLOW FAST

DEMANDS: EASY DIFFICULT DEMANDS: EASY DIFFICULT

Nesaea pedicellata is an attractive, decorative and easy stem plant. Leaf colours range from green to yellow

Monosolenium tenerum is an attractive liverwort, which looks most like a giant Riccia that simply stays at and orange and reddish shades depending on growth conditions in the aquarium. The stems keep their

the bottom, where it forms cushions. It is a brittle plant, and pieces break off easily, so it is best to place it in intense red colouring, something that can also be seen when the plant is grown in a swamp. Compared

the aquarium attached to stones with fishing line or in small clumps among other plants such as Eleocharis. with Nesaea crassicaulis (Tropica no. 033B), Nesaea pedicellata has narrower leaves and its colours are

Once Monosolenium tenerum has established itself, it is very undemanding. This plant is mistakenly known warmer. We recommend planting Nesaea in the mid-ground of the aquarium as a contrast to the tall green

14  The Aquatic Gardener as Pellia. background plants. Fertilizer capsules should be used to strengthen the plant and emphasise its colours.

67
 enough light. Also, I found the frequent water changes. I wonder
Box 1— presented at Interzoo in Nuremberg color temperature a bit too cool whether they will be so attractive to
were 64 liters [17 gal.]. Personally, I but that is basically a matter of a large audience when people realize

How big is a nano tank?

would not regard the latter a nano
tank but some people do so let us not
be too strict on definitions. Rather
taste. The design was beautiful and
the light emission fantastic. I am
sure that LED lamps are the future
that these tiny tanks are not self
sustainable.… In contrast, shrimps
are probably here to stay. They
This is a tricky question and I have not than size, perhaps a better criterion to
been able to provide an unambiguous describe nano tanks is to include all
because they can be made compact come in such diversities and many
answer by researching the Internet the external things that are an integral and use much less energy than high are easy to breed. Many of them
or enquiring among hobby experts. part of the nano trend, i.e. small-size pressure halide lamps, glow lamps you do not have to feed because
Obviously, there is no lower limit and lamps, CO2 injection kits, pumps and or fluorescent tubes. they graze on algae that are always
Amano has played with tanks down filter and heaters—all made smaller Apart from LED lamps, it is dif- present to some extent in any tank.
to 1 or 2 liters but I have seen tanks and with nice designs so that they ficult to predict what the future will In a forthcoming issue of TAG, we
down to 100 mL. Tropica’s AquaCube is become integral parts of whole nano
about 5 liters whereas the ELOS cubes
bring. Will the nano and shrimp will take a systematic look at these
world experience.
trend last? Maybe and maybe not. creatures and evaluate their use in
Nano tanks look so beautiful and algal control.
maybe they can attract people
to our hobby who would not be The Author
Courtesy of Fluval

inclined to set up a 350 L [92 gal.] Ole is associate professor at the

tank in the living room, but a nano University of Copenhagen where
tank on the kitchen table would he teaches aquatic ecology and
be alright. But because the nano researches all aspects of ecology
tanks are small, it is difficult to and physiology of rooted aquatic
achieve a good ecological balance plants. In addition, he has worked
so they need constant attention and as Tropica’s webmaster since 1995.

Stay in Touch!
Send all change of addresses including postal & e-mail to:

[email protected]
or write to:

AGA Membership
PO Box 51536
Denton, TX 76201
A 30 L nano tank with CO2 injection. CO2 injection is absolutely necessary
if you want to grow difficult and demanding plants such as Pogostemon Don’t forget to renew your AGA membership! The note printed on TAG’s
helferi, but it is not needed if you stick to mosses, Anubias, Microsorum or envelope will tell you how many issues of TAG you have left on your
other slow-growing plants. membership. Renew at www.aquatic-gardeners.org/membership.html or
send a check/money order to the address above. Membership rates, with
discounts for multiple years, are printed on page 3.

Volume 21  Number 3  17

 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides collected and sown. The small white

Cavan Allen
Cavan Allen flowers, which pop up abundantly
outdoors, precede small clusters of
green fruit. When they have started
I enjoy collecting, obtaining oides is considerably more demand- to darken and brown slightly, they
and evaluating potential aquarium ing but arguably more desirable may be collected and gently poked
plants to such a degree that I rarely when its positive attributes are into soft and moist soil. Given
end up with anything resembling taken into consideration. It is, quite The carpeting effect of Hydrocotyle some time, many seeds germinate
sibthorpioides is stunning.
an aquascape. More often, I have simply, stunning to behold when at and without much difficulty, grow
what looks to the untrained eye its best. What starts out as a tangled ment to red plants like Ludwigia into mature plants. Emersed growth
like a motley clump arcuata. is distinctly faster than submersed
assortment of stems Unfortunately, it really must be growth, and so H. sibthorpioides
Tim Gross

of stems. weighted seen in person to be fully appreci- may be propagated thusly when
Through down with ated. For anyone who would like larger quantities are needed or
the years, I a stone or to try growing it, I say this: Don’t when the plant is not currently
have found other heavy skimp on anything! Above all else, being used in an aquascape. Like
a few plants object blos- it needs light. Lots and lots of many other aquarium plants, it may
that are very soms into a light. It may survive under average be easily ‘stored’ above water for
much to my self-contour- aquarium lighting but will remain future use.
liking and ing carpet. smaller and scrawny. Under good
inspire me to Alternatively, power compact, T5 or metal halide

Cavan Allen
actually put it may be illumination, it will reach its full
something placed potential. Other than that, there’s
together among not much to be said about its care.
that looks driftwood Levels of carbon dioxide and fertil-
presentable branches izers (both macro and micro) com-
every once in or other mensurate with lighting intensity
a while. midground will ensure success.
One of hardscape H. sibthorpioides is quite adapt-
those plants is Hydrocotyle sibthor- materials and allowed to cascade able and has no trouble whatsoever Growing H. sibthorpioides is emersed is
pioides. Although it has been in the downwards. It has a solid rate of when it is grown emersed. In such a easy, and faster than submersed growth.
hobby for quite some time, I don’t growth, but is not a weed. There state, it does not retain the distinc-
think that it has ever gotten the are a few other plants with simi- tive submersed coloration but in- Native to tropical Asia,
attention it deserves. It is, therefore, lar properties, but the delicately stead grows darker green, somewhat H. sibthorpioides has been widely
my solemn duty to stick up for the scalloped, nickel-sized leaves of an waxy leaves that are themselves naturalized the world over, even
underdog and present this out- attractive shade of green not seen worthy of admiration. It would in many wet places in the United
standing plant. among other plants in the hobby therefore be well suited to open top States. If none can be readily ob-
The related (and edible) H. leu- along with a propensity to form tanks or emersed displays. Emersed tained through trade, keep an eye
cocephala has long enjoyed a place large oxygen bubbles on the top of propagation often occurs without out for it on your next collecting
in the hobby due to its uniqueness the leaves really put this species over assistance, though with lower pro- trip and consider utilizing it in your
and ease of growth. H. sibthorpi- the top. It is a superb accompani- ductivity than when the seeds are next ‘scape’. It’s a keeper!

18  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  19

 The main character of a Nature that brings out the charm of Cyprinids.
Aquarium is the fish. Although aquatic This layout took a long time until
Nature Aquarium for Cyprinids plants, driftwood and rocks comprise it was ready for a photograph since the
Takashi Amano. Translated by Tomoko Schum. Photos by the author. the main part of a layout, the Nature growth of Cryptocoryne balansae was so
Aquarium is finished only when fish are slow that it did not match the timing
placed in it. Among the many fish that for photo opportunities of the other
you can enjoy in a Nature Aquarium aquatic plants. However, the layout
such as Characins and Cichlids, the became that much more mature in ap-
family of Cyprinid is a group of fish pearance, resulting in a stronger natural
with its own unique appeal. In this ar- feel. This seems to be an aquascape
ticle, I will introduce a layout method meant for Cyprinids.
 Aquascape 1: The Charm of if they are fine when young, they
a Community Tank & How to require special attention since they
Mix Cyprinids become aggressive as they color up
The Cyprinid family has many and become beautiful. It is alright
subfamilies. Not only do their sizes to have a small number of them
and colors differ, but the way they in a layout with plenty of hiding
swim and their personalities are places for weaker individuals. Al-
also different. We must take these though it is possible to lessen their
differences into consideration when aggressiveness by keeping them in a
selecting fish for a community tank. very high numbers and diminishing
In a community tank, the larg- their territorial behavior, Puntius
est fish often becomes the main are rather bulky and a large number
feature. If you choose an aggressive make a layout appear congested.
type of fish, other smaller types will Since fish in the Danio family
be bullied. Since the family of Ras- are fast swimmers and make an
bora tends to be peaceful, it is easy aquascape appear busy, they are
to use as the main fish in a commu- typically not kept by themselves.
nity tank. Although some Rasbora However, they can add to the
have subdued colors, they are a safe natural feel in a community tank by
choice since they do not detract their very movement that is differ-
from a natural feel as compared to ent from that of other fish.
flashy fish. Even if they are plain, Fish in the small Boraras, Micro
they command a presence in high Rasbora and Sundadanio families are
Aquascape 1 Data numbers. Because of their peaceful suitable for small community tanks.
Aquarium:  Cube Garden Clear W180 x D60 x H60 cm [ W71 x D24 x H24 in.]
nature, it is possible to put many Since fish in Chela families such as
Lighting:  Green Glow/604 (NA lamp 20W x 4) x 6 units, turned on for 10 hours per day
Filter:  External filter (Bio Rio, Tourmaline F) Rasboras in an aquarium. Hatchet Chela swim in the upper
Substrate:  Aqua Soil, Power Sand Special L, Bacter 100, Clear Super, Tourmaline BC, Penac Fish in the Puntius family layer, they are easy to use when mixed
W/for Aquarium, Penac P with fish that inhabit other layers.
CO2:  Pollen Glass Beetle Series 50, 5 bubbles per second via CO2 Beetle Counter (using may attack each other when they
Tower/20) mature. Their sexual differences The metallic colors of Inlecypris and
Aeration:  14 hours after the light is turned off using Lily Pipe P-6
become pronounced as well. Even Balirius contrast well with other fish.
Additives:  Brighty K; Green Brighty STEP2; Green Gain
Water change:  ¹⁄₃ once a week
Water quality:  Temperature: 24ºC [75ºF]; pH: 7.0; TH: 10 mg/l; NO2: < 0.02 mg/l; NO3: <1mg/l;
COD: 4 mg/l

Aquatic Plants Fish

Eleocharis acicularis Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Cryptocoryne petchii Rasbora bankanensis
Cryptocoryne wendtii (Mi Oya) Rasbora einthovenii
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia Rasboroides vaterifloris
Cryptocoryne wendtii ‘Green’ Rasbora caudimaculata
Cryptocoryne walkeri var. ‘Lutea’ Puntius cumingi
Cryptocoryne beckettii Otocinclus sp. The Orange Fin Scissor Tail Rasbora is large but peaceful. Although its colors are sub-
Cryptocoryne balansae Crossocheilus siamensis
Fontinalis antipyretica
dued, other Rasbora and Puntius cumingi already add brightness to the aquascape. Its
Caridina multidentata
size and colors are balanced and it goes well with the aquascape.

24  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  25

 Aquascape 3: A Deep large swimming space even when
Aquarium With Driftwood big driftwood branches are ar-
Many Cyprinids are strong ranged. Since a relatively strong
swimmers that love current. This flow of water is returned from the
aquarium is twice as deep from the overflow type filtration system, it is
front to back as the standard 180 suitable for fish that love current.
cm aquarium. This can afford a

Aquascape 2 Data
Aquarium:  Cube Garden Clear W90 x D45 x H45 cm [ W35 x D18 x H18 in.]
Lighting:  Solar I (NAMH-150W) x 3 units shared over two 90H aquarium, turned on for 10
hours per day
Filter:  Super Jet Filter ES-1200 (Bio Rio, NA Carbon)
Substrate:  Aqua Soil, Bright Sand, Power Sand Special L, Bacter 100, Clear Super, Tourmaline
BC, Penac W/for Aquarium, Penac P Aquascape 3 Data
CO2:  Pollen Glass Large Series 30, 3 bubbles per second via CO2 Beetle Counter (using Aquarium:  Cube Garden Clear W180 x D120 x H60 cm [ W71 x D47 x H24 in.]
Tower/20) Lighting:  Grand Solar I (NAG-150W-Green Lamp x 6, NA Lamp Twin 36 x 12), turned on for
Aeration:  14 hours after the light is turned off using Lily Pipe P-4 10 hours per day
Additives:  Brighty K; Green Brighty STEP2 Filter:  Original overflow filter (NA Carbon, Bio Rio)
Water change:  ¹⁄₃ once a week Substrate:  Aqua Soil, Rio Negro Sand, Power Sand Special L, Bacter 100, Clear Super, Tour-
Water quality:  Temperature: 25ºC [77ºF]; pH: 6.8; TH: 20 mg/l; NO2: <0.02mg/l; NO3: <1mg/l; maline BC, Penac W/for Aquarium, Penac P
COD: 4 mg/l CO2:  Injected directly into the motor head in filter sump at the rate of 6 bubbles per second
via two CO2 Beetle Counters (using Tower/20)
Aquatic Plants Fish Aeration:  14 hours after the light is turned off using Lily Pipe P-6
Marsilea drummondi Trigonostigma heteromorpha Additives:  Brighty K; Green Brighty STEP2; Green Brighty Special Shade
Eleocharis vivipara Otocinclus sp. Water change:  ¹⁄₃ once a week
Microsorum sp. Caridina multidentata Water quality:  Temperature: 25ºC [77ºF]; pH: 6.8; TH: 30 mg/l; NO2: < 0.02 mg/l; NO3: <
Riccia fluitans 1mg/l; COD: 4 mg/l
Fontinalis antipyretica
Aquatic Plants Fish
Bolbitis heudelotii Barilius pulcher
Cryptocoryne petchii Puntius pentazona rhomboocellatus
Aquascape 2: A Layout for layout. This layout is put together
Cryptocoryne wendtii ‘broad’ Rasbora bankanensis
Cryptocoryne wendtii (Mi Oya) Puntius sp.
Harlequin Rasbora by arranging driftwood into a Cryptocoryne albida Otocinclus sp.
Rasbora heteromorpha is the mound and planting aquatic plants Cryptocoryne wendtii ‘TROPICA’ Crossocheilus siamensis
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia Caridina multidentata
most popular cyprinid. The beauty with a serene appearance. The Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
of these fish is exceptional when distinctive color of Rasbora hetero- Fontinalis antipyretica
they are kept in an aquatic plant morpha stands out in contrast.

26  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  27

 an ideal environment. standard 180 cm aquarium, its
A large aquarium provides a width is twice as large as a standard
comfortable environment for fish. one. The extra aquarium capacity
This applies to not only large fish provides adequate swimming room
but also small fish as well. The for active swimmers like Barilius. A
natural environment that fish come stronger output from its filter pro-
from is far greater in comparison vides adequate current as well. Fish
to an aquarium. A bigger aquarium can maintain a muscular, firm body
is better to make an aquarium under these conditions. Intricately
environment just a little closer to arranged large driftwood branches
such an environment. Although provide a perfect hiding place for
this overflow type aquarium, which timid Puntius. The bush formed
is set up in the Nature Aquarium mainly by Cryptocoryne may remind
Gallery, has the same length as a Cyprinid fish of their native home.

Photos this Page: Fishes swim around,

feed well and develop fit and firm
bodies in a large aquarium. Their silver
scales contrast well with the tranquil
green colors of Willow Moss, ferns and
A Large Aquarium Brings spacious swimming space and ad- Cryptocoryne.
Out the Charm of Cyprinids equate current is especially desirable
Bigger aquariums are always for strong swimmers like Cyprinids.
better for keeping fish. Having a A large aquarium can realize such

28  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  29

 Thailand In Search of Cryptocoryne albida
Karen A. Randall. Photos by the author.

In March of 2008, Christel Kas- this part of Thailand, we had yet to scenery, as well as the opportunity “grass” around the rocks on the
selmann and I traveled to southern come across it. But we had stayed to find some interesting plants! edge of the stream was not grass
Thailand with the intent to visit a mostly near the coast so far, and it We arrived at park headquar- at all, but Cryptocoryne albida.
number of different biotopes and was time to head inland a bit. The ters in mid-afternoon. No one had We were excited by our find, but
study the plethora of plant species next stop on our itinerary was the heard of the specific waterfall we pressed for time, as we needed to
to be found there. We had a “wish spectacularly beautiful Khao Sok were looking for, and we found that get to the waterfall and back out
list” of plants that we hoped to find National Forest. This park covers the nearest waterfall inside the park before nightfall. I love wildlife, but
and photograph in the wild, and al- over 738 sq. kilometers [285 sq. was 3 kilometers [2 miles] from the neither of us was thrilled with the
though we didn’t find every one, we miles]. The terrain includes spec- entrance. Some of the others were idea of being out in an area inhab-
saw an astounding number of spe- tacular limestone outcroppings, a full day’s hike into the forest! Our ited by tigers, leopards and sun
cies in an area that, geographically caves and many waterfalls set in time in Thailand was limited, so bears after dark! We could visit the
speaking, was really quite small. the rain forest. The approach to the we decided to visit only this closest C. albida again in the morning.
Obviously, anyone traveling in park is via a narrow, steep, winding waterfall, called Wing Hin, and A 3 kilometer hike to the
Thailand who has an interest in road with breath-taking scenery.… hoped we might see Microsorum waterfall might not seem like that
aquatic plants wants to find Cryp- It was hard to keep our eyes on the there. Because we knew we would much, but when it is 90°F [32°C],
tocoryne. We were lucky enough to road, which was a little scary when be hiking a distance, we took 90% humidity, and the path climbs
find several species, but in this ar- we were just learning to drive on only a minimum of photography steeply up and down a number of
ticle, I’d like to limit the discussion the “wrong” side of the street! equipment with us, just our small times before you reach your desti-
to one particular species, C. albida. The reason we went to this park cameras, with plastic bags in case nation, it can feel like a very long
We had been in Thailand for was to find a particular water- we needed to wrap them up quickly way! But the rain forest was beauti-
several days, had visited a number fall that we had been told about, in a sudden rainstorm. ful, and we enjoyed the hike. As in
of beautiful biotopes and had found covered in Microsorum. It turned Heading out of the parking most rain forest areas, the animals
and photographed a number of out later that we were in the wrong lot, we crossed a concrete bridge are not easy to see, even if you
interesting plants. While we knew park, but it was a mistake we were spanning a wide, rocky stream on know they are there. We were very
that Cryptocoryne albida had been both glad to have made as it gave the way to the trail head. As we happy to see a gibbon swing though
found in a number of locations in us a chance to see some spectacular approached, we realized that the the trees above us as we walked.

30  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  31

 cade through boulders than a true
waterfall. But … what a glorious
cascade! The sun was low in the sky,
and though we found no Microso-
rum, there were thick, lush stands
of C. albida growing between and
around the bases of the boulders.
It was a truly beautiful sight. The
number of plants at the entrance
to the park paled in comparison to
these massive stands.
The next day, we left the park
behind, but now that we knew
what we were looking for, we found
Cryptocoryne albida in a number of
different locations. In many loca- Waterfall where we found C. albida both Closer view of C. albida growing on the
Cryptocoryne albida growing under the
tions, we found the plant in full at the base and on the rock face as well. waterfall.
bridge inside Khao Sok National Forest.
sun. But we also found it in deep
About half way to the waterfall, shade, mixed with Microsorum at We found the plant only in water and air were quite warm,
we found a small trickle of water the base of a waterfall, and in one rocky areas, ranging from the large with the water averaging 78 ­–  84°F
coming down the steep mountain- place, even growing out of cracks boulders of Wing Hin, to streams [26 ­–  29°C] while the air tem-
side, and much to our delight, had in the rock face of the waterfall, with coarse, pebbly substrate. It perature was in the low to mid-90s
our first look at Microsorum ptero- within the spray zone. Most of the was difficult to get the plants out during the day. In the one place
pus in the wild. There wasn’t a lot of plants we saw were emersed, and of the substrate without breaking that we found the plant growing
it, but it gave us hope that when we many were flowering. However, I the leaves off above the crown. fully submersed, it was a single,
found the “big” waterfall, we would would assume that the plants in The crown was often deep under large specimen growing in clear,
also find more Microsorum. Such most of these areas are submersed sizeable stones, and the roots went slowly flowing water. The leaves
was not to be. When we finally for at least part of the year, since deeper still. It was clear that even were a lovely rosy color, and close
reached the “waterfall,” we found we were there at the end of the dry when the water was high and the to 12" long; quite a bit larger than
that Wing Hin was more of a cas- season, when water is at its lowest. current was rushing over them, I’ve ever seen it growing under
these plants could not be pulled aquarium conditions.
loose from among the rocks. They This species of Cryptocoryne
might lose their leaves, but the ro- comes in two different color varieties;
sette itself would be safe, protected one a bright, grass green, the other a
down deep between the rocks. dark brownish red. The interesting
In most localities where we thing is that both color varieties are
found these plants, the water was found mixed together, in the same lo-
very soft, ranging from 40 ­–  100 cations. There was no obvious differ-
micro Siemens. The pH was quite ence in the conditions under which
variable, ranging from a low of the plants were growing. The inflores-
C. albida growing amongst the boulders at the Wing Hin waterfall. 5.8 to a high of 7.78. Both the cence of both types is the same. Most

32  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  33

 Above: Green and red varieties of C. albi-
da.  Left: Red and green forms growing
together at the Tam Nam Waterfall.

aquarium, this species can be a little

pickier than some of the more com-
monly used Cryptocoryne species.
It is said to require more light than
many species, and certainly, the
tank I keep it in does have a fairly
flowering plants were found in the high light level. After seeing the
shade, though we occasionally found way these plants grow in the wild, I
them in sunny areas as well. now suspect that it would be worth
Cryptocoryne albida has been trying these plants in a coarser sub-
available commercially for aquar- strate than we typically use in our
ium use for some time. In the aquariums.

Left: Red form of C. albida flowering in shallow water. Most of the flowering plants we
found were entirely emersed.  Right: C. albida growing entirely submersed. Typical biotope for Cryptocoryne albida.

34  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  35

 My Big Aquarium
Steen Erik Jansen. Photos by Karen Randall unless otherwise noted.

Editor’s Note: While Karen and months to find 4cm thick acrylic to
Christel were visiting Thailand, they replace it. Even then, the acrylic we
were introduced to Steen Jansen. could obtain could only be pur-
Karen asked Steen to write an article chased in 2m ×1.65m [6.5 × 5.4 ft.]
for TAG about his mega-tank. Enjoy! sheets. As a result, the tank was fin-
ished using three sheets on one side
Background and two on the other with support
We are residents of Patong, on columns in-between. Obviously this
the island of Phuket in Thailand. was not the optimal solution, but it
In the spring of 1997, I decided to did function for three years. At that
build a large outdoor aquarium. time, I kept big oscars, silver sharks
The tank functions as the end-wall and gouramis, but no plants.
of the carport and is visible from During 2002, the tank started
two sides: one inside the carport, leaking at the seams. An attempt to
the other the terrace between our stop the leak using fiberglass inside
swimming pool and the house. went terribly wrong and the acrylic
On the first attempt, I used was irretrievably damaged. At that
only 1½ cm glass, which exploded point, I emptied the tank and left it
when the tank was filled. It took six for a year.

Mr. Suwat
Steen gives the size of his aquarium a little perspective. (He has a dive certificate!)

Volume 21  Number 3  37

The “Aquascaping Bug” Hits and got in contact with Karen Ran-
I first read about aquascaping dall who in turn put me in touch
in the summer of 2003, and found with Tom Barr. I owe Tom a lot as
out that we actually had an aquari- without his very detailed answers
um shop and an aquatic plant farm and suggestions how to solve the
here in Phuket that catered to this problem I would most probably
hobby. I started a “small” 1,500 have closed down the tank and
liter tank (369 gal.) in August of given up.
that year. Then during November/
December we rebuilt the big tank;
installing full sized sheets of acrylic The Krib:
www.thekrib.com
(3.3m × 1.2m). The tank was origi-
nally 2m deep and as we considered Tom Barr’s web site:
this too deep for plants we installed www.barrreport.com
a “false” bottom in cement. The
various terraces and levels were con-
structed using bricks and cement, On Tom’s recommendation,
Steen’s mega-aquarium divides the carport from the pool terrace of his home.
all painted with epoxy. On January I emptied the tank and gave the
29, 2004 the big day arrived: aquas- acrylic a thorough cleaning (No-
caping and filling the tank. vember 22 – 24), reduced the light survived. The tank survived another it, more or less everything. The
The first problem I encountered by 50% and started adding KNO3 big earthquake in March 2005, tank survived without damage, but
was water hardness. The KH in the and KH2PO4 together with the but a third on May 19 was one too only because it was empty and the
tank was 9° and GH 8° – 10° which micronutrient mix I was already many. The tank started leaking at acrylic braced with iron bars. It did,
meant that a lot of the plants sim- using. It really helped, as the green the seams (500 liter a day) and on however, mean total renovation of
ply died. In September we emptied spot algae reduced in number and June 2nd we had to give up and our property: another year and a
the tank, removed the false bottom became easier to remove. empty it. half in which the tank had to stay
and the inside walls and replaced Even during this period when we It took several months of inves- protected from vibrations.
all the sand (which we now suspect experience algae problems, the plants tigation, but our insurance compa- Finally, in November 2007 we
contained calcium carbonate) with grew extremely well. I had visits by ny finally agreed to cover the costs. planted and filled the tank. The
river sand using only wood for dec- Mr. Holger Windeløv and Mr. Jan Repair was finished in April 2006. tank is now running, doing beauti-
oration. The hardness came down Ole Pedersen from Tropica Aquari- All that remained was a hydro-test fully, and is truly a sight to behold.
to KH 3° – 4°, GH 4° – 6°. I later um Plants in Denmark during 2004 of the acrylic scheduled for May 2. On March 24th we had the
had to put 10cm of normal sand on and they really liked both tanks. Unfortunately, on April 28 – 30, pleasure of having Mrs. Chris-
top as the river sand was too loose On December 26, 2004 the a neighbour decided to demolish a tel Kasselmann and Mrs. Karen
for the plants to root securely. tsunami hit Thailand. We felt the three-story house using a back hoe! Randall visit during their trip to
During this period the next earthquake, but did not suffer any With a distance of only four meters Thailand. I would like to thank
problem had started. Extremely direct damage except for no elec- between the excavation and our both women for their very positive
hard green spot algae was growing tricity for a week. This was solved property, the damage we suffered comments and good advice. The
on the acrylic. Despite almost daily by directing sun into the tanks from this man-made earthquake photos included with this article
cleaning of up to 4 hours I could using mirrors. The plants photo- was immense. Broken walls, pool, were taken then, and during the
not control it. I contacted the Krib synthesized and all fish and plants water tanks, terrace—you name following month.

38  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  39

Above: A view of the lights from above.
Well, part of them. There are 33 tubes in
all. Only about half are on all day.

Left: Steen gives Christel and Karen a

behind-the-scenes tour of the filtration
and CO2 systems.

Details of the Tank

Built in cement with 20cm-
thick [7.8 in.] walls covered with an
arched cement roof. Acrylic (4 cm side can be open all day if I want, Above: The tank from the terrace side.  Below: The view from the carport side.
[1.6 in.] thick) on both sides, with as the carport itself can be covered
to pieces. The CO2 is controlled by a dive certificate).
the free view measuring 3.65m x with other blinds.
an Aqua Medic PH computer with We are quite lucky regarding
1.05m [12 × 3.4 ft.]. Filtration the electrode measuring the water water. We have no supply from
Inside Measurement Twelve small outlets in the in the fiberglass tank. outside, but have built five ground
Length 3.65 meters sand lead to a 2½" PVC line that tanks with a total capacity of
Maintenance
Width 1.54 meters connects to a fiberglass tank in an 160,000 liters to catch rain water.
The acrylic is cleaned every four
Depth 1.25 meters (from sand adjacent room. A ½ horsepower During the rainy season, from April
days with a soft 100% cotton cloth
to surface) submersed pump (noiseless) pumps to November, the tanks are filled so
(plus some elbow grease!). I go in
Depth of sand: 0.8 meters the water through a swimming pool we have enough to see us through
the full tank, clean the upper part,
Water volume: approximately sand filter. The inline is divided so the dry season. On average dur-
take out 30 – 35 cm of water (a
7,500 to 8,000 liters [2,000 gal.] that 90% of the water goes directly ing the year the KH is 2.5°, GH
water change of approximately 25%
Light back. The remaining 10% runs 3° (due to the cement in the water
= 1,700 liter) and then clean the
19 32W fluorescent tubes from through a CO2 diffuser (actually tanks), but in the rainy season with
lower part of the acrylic. There are
10:00am to10:00pm, 33 tubes from two with a back-up of further two fresh rain KH is 2°, GH 2°. I keep a
stepping stones among the plants
6:00pm to 9:30pm so no undissolved CO2 ever reaches pH of 6.5 through CO2 injection.
on the floor of the tank so that I
Distance to water is 20 cm with the tank) and then combines back
can stand inside it. Should it be Temperature
four small fans removing the hot air with the main line.
necessary I have a full-face mask Temperature is a problem when
from the lights. I have used an old Eheim filter
connected to a dive tank with a 5 you have an outside aquarium in
The acrylic is normally protect- combined with a small normal CO2
meter hose so I can work in the the Tropics: 35°C [95°F ] is nor-
ed from direct sunlight with black diffuser and have to make sure the
tank even when it is full (I do have mal in the shade and the water in
blinds during the day. The carport water pressure does not blow them

40  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  41

 Barclaya longifolia 25 Hyphessobrycon innessi, Neon
Vesicularia dubyana Tetra & Paracheirodon axelrodi,
two unknown mosses Cardinal Tetra
Sagittaria Subulata 25 – 30 (not sure as they breed all
On the third level: the time) Hyphessobrycon herber-
Aponogeton crispus taxelrodi Black Neon
Cyperus helferi Although the tank has only
Anubias barteri var. angustifolia been running for six months I
Microsorum pteropus have had some of the above fish for
M. pteropus var. Windeløv seven years (Kissing Gouramis and
Ammannia gracilis Red-finned sharks) and four years
Ludwigia inclinata (Siamensis and Cardinal Tetra).
Bolbitis heudelotti They have survived a change of
Fish
tank three times and lived in a big
20 Crossocheilus siamensi, Siamese bucket for four months!
A view of that tank from above. Kinda makes you want to dive right in, doesn’t it? Algae Eater Plants/aquascaping and nutrients
9 Helostoma temmincki, Kissing supplied by Mr. Suwat of Phuket
Gourami Aquatic Plant, Phuket, Thailand
the tank on top receives heat from we have made three levels inside
8 Labeo erythura, Red-finned shark Steen’s Web Site:
the light and the pump. The water the tank, with the highest in the
3 Corydoras sp. www.steentank.co.uk
temperature stays between 28°C to middle, also trying to make the two
32°C, but I have recently installed ends high with a low level in the
a cooling system (May, 2008) that center. Considering the depth of
has reduced the temperature by the tank (lowest level 1.25 meter,

Mr. Suwat
9°. My aim is a constant of around the second 1.10 meter and third
26°C [79°F]. 0.95 meter) the choice of plants is a
Nutrients, etc. bit of an experiment.
After each water change I add: Plants
200 cc Colour Plus liquid fertil- On the lowest level:
izer from Phuket Aquatic Plant Heteranthera zosterifolia
300 cc KNO3 Blyxa japonica
300 cc KH2PO4 Anubias barteri var. angustifolia
(I used to add 300 cc fertilizer, Echinodorus uruguayensis
but reduced it based on Christel’s Echinodorus barthii
and Karen’s advice. This minimized Echinodorus martii
the algae growth even more and the Crinum natans
plants seem fine). On the second level:
Levels Inside the Tank Ophiopogon japonicus
As the interior must accom- Heteranthera zosterifolia
modate viewing from two sides, Echinodorus barthii

42  The Aquatic Gardener Volume 21  Number 3  43

 Carbon is the backbone of all life. Every organic mole-
cule of every living organism is carbon based. Given this
simple fact, it becomes clear why carbon dioxide (CO2)
plays a pivotal role in the planted aquarium. Aquatic plants
extract CO2 from their environment and employ it in a proc-
ess called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis combines CO2,
water and light energy to produce simple carbohydrates
and oxygen (O2)

Flourish Excel™ is a simple source of readily available

organic carbon. Plants use CO2 to produce longer chain car-
bon compounds also known as photosynthetic intermedi-
ates. Flourish Excel™ does not contain these specific com-
pounds per se, but one that is quite similar. By adding
Flourish Excel™ you bypass the involvement of CO2 and in-
troduce the already finished, structurally similar com-
pounds. It is in its structural similarity that Flourish Ex-
cel™ is able to be utilized in the carbon chain building
process of photosynthesis. Because Flourish Excel™ is an
organic carbon source it does not impact pH.

The use of either CO2 injection or Flourish Excel™ does

not necessarily negate the use of the other. Because the
processes of producing photosynthetic intermediates and
building onto them occur simultaneously, one can derive a
substantial benefit with the use of Flourish Excel™ either
alone or in conjunction with CO2 . The combination is partic-
ularly ideal for situations where continuing to add CO2
could result in dangerously low pH levels.

www.seachem.com