Oliver Knott at The Green Machine

Sep 13 2009

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The above video, at just over 30 minutes long is a condensed version of the day. The actual demonstration lasted about 6 hours, so this is no real substitute for the experience of being there on the day, but it should prove useful and interesting for many aquascaping hobbyists and professionals.

Alternatively, you can watch the video on our YouTube channel by visiting this page.

Photographs by Stu Worrall.

Setup Specifications

Step by Step

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Oliver cleans the aquarium before the demonstration begins.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Oliver demonstrates how to apply the light diffuser to the glass of the aquarium. He does this on the front of the tank so that the audience can see.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The light diffuser material has been fitted to the rear piece of glass, the piece was pre-cut to the same size as the tank.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Oliver discusses and shows his inspiration for this creation - photos he found on the Internet of the Isle of Man.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Pieces of cardboard are used as a guide to keep different substrate materials separate when they are poured into to the tank.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Tropica Plant Substrate is added to the substrate system.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

More Tropica Plant Substrate is added to the substrate system.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The sand surface is smoothed with a flat object.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The first cardboard guide is removed.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The second cardboard guide is removed.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The substrate is ready for hardscape to be positioned on top.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The first two stones are in place.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The main (largest) stone has been added and Oliver begins to add smaller supporting stones.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The smallest pieces of stone are put in place.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

More ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia is added on top of Tropica Plant Substrate which is effectively sandwiched about 8cm below the Aqua Soil.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia is spread into the gaps between stones and smoothed with a brush.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Planting has begin, Riccia stones (Riccia fluitans tied around small stones with Riccia Line) have been positioned in key locations. Oliver talks about Eleocharis parvula.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Eleocharis parvula has been cut very short and is planted with tweezers. Trimming this before planting will ensure a shorter and long term growth pattern.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The plants are kept wet with a water spray. This is very important, ensuring that the plants do not dry out and die during the time it takes to finish the planting.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Un-trimmed Eleocharis parvula is planted with tweezers at the back of the aquascape. This will tend to keep its longer growth form as it was not trimmed back before planting.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Newspaper is packed in and around the hardscape and close to the substrate. This will hold everything in palce while the tank fills with water.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The paper is sprayed to help prevent it floating while the tank is filled.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

A large plastic sheet is packed into nthe tank covering everything inside, to further secure everything in palce while the tank fills.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The tank is filled with a slow, steady stream of water.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Now full of water the protective plastic and newspaper is very carefully and slowly removed fromt he aquarium.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Floating debris is scooped from the surface of the water with a net.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

The sand at the front is smoothed with some tweezers and any finishing adjustments are made.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

Oliver Knott with the finished aquascape at the end of the demonstration.

An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph
An aquascape created by Oliver Knott at The Green Machine in Wrexham, UK - photograph

For this photograph a white background was suspended behind the tank and back lighting was used. The diffuser material works with stunning effect here.

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