“Autumn in Isle of Man” by Oliver KnottTo celebrate TGM’s UK distribution of the Tropica Aquacare range, we hosted a free aquascaping demonstration on Sunday 13th September 2009 by the renowned German artist Oliver Knott.
For this photograph a white background was suspended behind the tank and back lighting was used. The diffuser material works with stunning effect here.
For this photograph a white background was suspended behind the tank and back lighting was used. The diffuser material works with stunning effect here.
As always the event was a great success, the atmosphere was unique with the perfect mix of excitement, enthusiasm and good humour throughout the day
The video has been split into 4 parts and is available via our YouTube channel. 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.
You can watch the video on our YouTube channel by visiting this page.
Photographs by Stu Worrall.
Setup Specifications
- Aquarium – 120cm x 60 x 45cm high TGM all Opti-white glass aquarium.
- Accessories – TGM Light Diffusing Aquarium Backing
- Filtration & Heating – Eheim Thermo filter 2128 (with built in heater) with filter wool and Sera Siporax.
- CO2 – TGM CO2 kit with Do! Aqua Music Glass diffuser @ 3 bubbles per second.
- Lighting – Arcadia Series 4 x 2 150W HQI metal halides and 2 x T5 39W tubes.
- Substrate – ADA Nile Sand, ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia, Tropica Plant Substrate sandwiched between 2 layers of Aqua Soil.
- Decor / hardscape – Petrified Wood
- Fertiliser – 17ml of ADA Brighty K daily. (At the moment – week 3).
- Plants –
Step by Step
Oliver cleans the aquarium before the demonstration begins.
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.
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.
Oliver discusses and shows his inspiration for this creation – photos he found on the Internet of the Isle of Man.
Pieces of cardboard are used as a guide to keep different substrate materials separate when they are poured into to the tank.
Tropica Plant Substrate is added to the substrate system.
More Tropica Plant Substrate is added to the substrate system.
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia is added.
The sand surface is smoothed with a flat object.
The first cardboard guide is removed.
The second cardboard guide is removed.
The substrate is ready for hardscape to be positioned on top.
The first two stones are in place.
The main (largest) stone has been added and Oliver begins to add smaller supporting stones.
The smallest pieces of stone are put in place.
More ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia is added on top of Tropica Plant Substrate which is effectively sandwiched about 8cm below the Aqua Soil.
The ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia is spread into the gaps between stones and smoothed with a brush.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The paper is sprayed to help prevent it floating while the tank is filled.
A large plastic sheet is packed into nthe tank covering everything inside, to further secure everything in palce while the tank fills.
The tank is filled with a slow, steady stream of water.
Now full of water the protective plastic and newspaper is very carefully and slowly removed fromt he aquarium.
Floating debris is scooped from the surface of the water with a net.
The sand at the front is smoothed with some tweezers and any finishing adjustments are made.
Oliver Knott with the finished aquascape at the end of the demonstration.
For this photograph a white background was suspended behind the tank and back lighting was used. The diffuser material works with stunning effect here.