Overview of the development of high-tech planted aquariums. (Aquarium Landscaping).

The history of planted aquariums, goes back to the beginning of the hobby, which began seriously in the early 1930’s. I managed to gather in my early years in the Hobby magazines, such as Water Life, the Aquarist and others. I remember well reading advertisements for Everglades Aquatic Nurseries. This nursery was founded by A Mr.Greenberg, who ran this company for years, and lived I understand to the age of 90 odd years. They offered a large selection of plants, and presumably many stores and hobbyists bought from them in those and subsequent years. The company still exists today in Florida, and supplies aquatic plants to the trade.However the really serious development of the highly planted aquarium, with a large variety of plants, along with their specialized individual requirements began in the Netherlands, a few years after the war. This development took place with a two or three leading plant growers and importers. Holland was especially well placed to create and be a pioneer in this kind of venture, for two major reasons. Firstly they had the connections from their former colony of what today is Indonesia, where a great many interesting aquatic plants come from. Secondly, the country is foremost in greenhouse cultivation of house plants and much else, so the progression to aquarium plants was natural and a good opportunity. As the production increased, they exported them all over Europe and further a ?eld. Naturalists who discovered new plants and made a specialty of same such as Arie de Graaf, also made their impression on the market, and Holland soon became the premier country for this trade. There are still large producers in Holland, although other developments have taken place from the early seventies onwards. The Hobbyists along with some of the Naturalists, and the Aquarium magazines promoted the keeping of highly planted tanks, and this became known as the Dutch system. However not everyone was able to successfully reproduce the beauty of these aquariums, this no doubt due to the lack of many critical inputs, which were discovered later on by other researchers. Suf?cient numbers did succeed however to keep the interest alive and even to enlarge it.In the early 70’s a Dane by the name of Holger Winderlov began what was at ?rst a small company in Ega Denmark. Holger brought a tremendous attention to detail, and scienti?c

method in rearing a very wide variety of plants (more than 150 species at last count). This company began exporting high quality plants worldwide, and continues to grow to this day. They raise and sell over 2 million plants a year and employ a staff of some 40 persons. This company with it’s excellent quality, made a pro- found impression on the hobby, and in?uenced many developments which were to follow.

Today many if not all of the plants cultivated by the company, begin life using the latest techniques of tis- sue culture, which brings a further re?nement to the quality, for which Holger Winderlov, and his company Tropica has become famous.

Tropica has also made another contribution to the hobby, in having created some important hybrids, some of which are now an accepted part of mainstream plant catalogues all over he world. This is because these -created additions- like so many ?owers, that man has bred genetically, are beautiful and have great appeal to a wide spectrum of hobbyists.

Tropica also made an innovation, in passing on to the aquarists much more detail about what was required to maintain the plants they sold. Needless to say serious hobbyists appreciated this kind of technical advice and help. The next major milestone came a few years later, when a German aquar- ist by the name of Horst Kipper decided to create a company devoted to high technology in planted aquariums, as well as Reef Aquariums. This company is called Dupla Aquaristik., He had cooperated with a Kaspar Horst in the development, of several important new innovations, and this cooperation continued over the next 15 years or more.

Kaspar Horst had been a keen devotee of plants for aquariums, and has several important discover- ies to his credit. These include the problem of iron de?ciency, as well as the use and method of in- troduction of CO2 gas to the aquarium, in a practical manner. In 1976 he with others created a Plant register in Germany, and until 1981 edited a magazine for specialists called Aqua Planta. He went on many expeditions to Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, with devoted hobbyists and sometimes Horst Kipper, with whom he was on excellent terms. Together with Horst Kipper, they wrote a milestone book on planted aquariums called Das Perfekte Aquarium.

Horst Kipper, was a keen aquarist since early childhood. He met Kaspar Horst in 1966, and they cooperated together for several years. At that time Horst Kipper, was running a German Aquarium company which was subsequently taken over by Tetra. In 1977 Horst Kipper founded his own com- pany Dupla Aquaristik in his home town of Melle, and Horst Kipper became a partner. It would seem that it is no coincidence that Melle is not only the home of Tetra, but also of many other famous names in the German Aquarium scene, even today

Anyway the Dupla company had an enormous success for several years, as their high quality and beautiful planted aquariums, and Reef Aquariums, which were shown worldwide at every im- portant trade show, were the envy of the competition and rapidly had devotees in all the important countries. However as Dupla did not produce plants, it made a strategic alliance with Tropica, with the result that in many countries where Dupla sold it’s products, the same agent would also vend the Tropica plants. This cooperation was bene?cial to both parties, as it ensured that high quality technology would be avail- able to those dealers and hobbyists who wished to maintain long lived and beautiful planted aquariums. This coopera- tion led to the next major development in the history of Landscaped Aquariums. Regrettably in 2002 the company Dupla went into bankruptcy. In Germany there was a major grower of aquarium plants called Dennerle. This company was probably the leading producer of Aquarium Plants in what was at the time West Germany. They began to feel a major impact and potential long term threat to their business by the alliance of Dupla & Tropica. Therefore in the early 80’s Dennerle began to create an alternative range of products to Dupla, and of course was then able to offer their customers, the advan- tage of plants and equipment all from the same source. The approach of Dupla and Dennerle differs in some aspects in their suggested technological approach, but it not the purpose of this book, to make a decision for or against either method. Suf?ce it to say, that the major inputs such as CO2 systems, and lighting are not all that different from each other. Both companies have their devotees, just as we do in America, between the consumers of -Coke- or -Pepsi- and other similar competing brands.

Dennerle not only offered a range of products as well as high quality plants, but began to offer sche- matics to their dealers and hobbyists, which showed how to plant in varying combinations to achieve a really spectacular effect. This made it possible for many whom may have lacked artistic skills to reproduce selected scenes with reasonable accuracy. While Dupla entered the market ?rst, and was initially very successful, later on they made many major marketing mistakes, by working with agents who were not reliable, and also by lack of follow through which is vital in a technology based group of products. This was probably accelerated when Horst Kipper, went to live in Australia, and to some extent lost the day to day control of his compa- ny. Dennerle however, was very thorough in his marketing approach, and by the end of the 80’s and early nineties, had an enormous market , not only in Germany and Europe, but also throughout most of the countries of Asia, such as Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and many others. This tremendous success, led to the next major development.

Japan has a special interest in house plants and related subjects. These plants are ubiquitous in the tiny houses and apartments that are predominant in that country. Japanese housing is typically miniscule compared to US or European, and this minuteness, leads them to be especially creative in decoration to compensate. It is the Japanese after all that developed the art of Bonzai. Japan also had several stores which sold only aquarium plants, these shops do not sell ?sh. This was to the author an astonishing revelation, as nowhere else in the world had I come across such specialized stores. When in 1993 I visited two such stores in Tokyo, one could see immediately that they were doing very large dollar sales, and of course were selling a great many Dennerle, and Dupla products, as well as quite a number of Japanese made items. In Japan, which was possibly after Germany Dennerle’s largest market, a former professional cycling champion, and world class photographer, by the name of Takashi Amano watched carefully at the impact of Dennerle on the Japanese market. He also had an aquarium store in a small village near the town of Nigata on the North West coast of Japan. Amano decided that he could improve upon the offerings of both Dennerle and Dupla. Around 1994 he burst upon the Japanese scene, with a vengeance, having created not only a range of products which paralleled Dennerle/Dupla etc, but also came with a couple of very important innovations of his own which made the aquariums even more beautiful. He was able to promote his products, with tremendous success, Above all because of his ability as a photographer, which he utilized to promote his range of products with brochures, a magazine, books and more, to a degree and quality which competitors could not match.

Amano also brought to the hobby, an exceptional capability in terms of artistic landscaping of the plants. Neither Dennerle nor Dupla could compare to the aesthetic beauty of his creations, nor his publications, three of which were later published in the USA in the series of books by T.F.H. under the titles of Nature’s Aquarium World..

Possibly one of the most dramatic innovations of Amano, was his discovery that the ?oating plant Riccia ?uitans, could be made with applied technology, to become an submersed plant covering rocks etc, and creating a lawn effect which was outstanding in it’s beautiful appearance. Other plants which Amano also perfected the use of were Glossostigma elatinoides, Micranthemum mi- cranthemum as well as several others. Of course Amano being Japanese could bring products and promotional material to the dealers and hobbyists, in Japanese that easily surpassed the efforts of Dennerle or Dupla. Within a short period of time, some 4000 stores in Japan were dealers in Ama- no’s products, and Dennerle’s market was considerably impacted, in Japan and some other Asian markets.

Amano also with his wonderful artistic ability coupled with his outstanding capability as a photogra- pher, brought creativity in Landscaping to the hobby, which no other company to date has managed to equal. These photographs, as shown in his various books and magazines, without any doubt stimulated a new wave of enthusiasm for Landscaped Aquariums, as they brought the art to a new niveau. Amano’s success was naturally assisted by the Japanese attraction to small plants such as Bonsai. The Japanese artistry as a people made this new offering an obvious attraction, especially as Amano mar- keted properly in a professional manner and added a special approach which is the embodiment of his company.

However Amano’s efforts to expand his base to Europe and the USA, were not so successful. Firstly the products were excessively expensive, due in some part to the high cost of the Japanese Yen, but also because few if any of his products are actually made by his company, but made for him to Amano’s designs. Furthermore in Europe, Amano made the same error that Dupla had made in earlier years in other markets. He selected as an agent for all of Europe, a person who had a history of not following through, and this coupled with the very high cost of his products, has made Amano, a marginal player in the European theater.

In the USA, a similar story took place, when Amano gave his agency to a person in Florida, who al- though very enthusiastic about the products and the future of planted aquariums, failed for a variety of reasons to make any serious headway into the US market. That same company was folded in 1999, after only two years of operation.

Amano however has become known to the American public, by the large coverage given to his com- pany and design of Landscaped Aquariums, by the genius of Dr. Herbert Axelrod, who arranged to publish a series of books by TFH under the title of Nature’s Aquarium World. This short history of the planted aquarium, sets the stage, for what I sincerely believe is about to become an important part of the aquarium hobby in the USA, and hopefully in some part at least, to do away with the use of plastic plants. In this book we illustrate some of the products that can be used to create and maintain a beautiful Aquarium Landscape. Many though not all, of the products are one’s that we have developed over the years in the growing of our plants, and which worked best for us. There are many other good products out there, and a few that are not so good. We hope the reader will understand this. We invite you to read on.

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Read This Before You Buy A Biorb Aquarium

The BiOrb aquarium is ideal for you if have a problem finding the time gathering all the required aquarium equipment together or if you’re a newbie and a bit daunted about setting up your first aquarium or if you simply don’t want to spend the time getting all the equipment together and maintaining you tank.

The unique built in five stage filter system minimises maintenance and keeps the tank water crystal clear making the whole thing look stunning. Biological filtration is aided by the use of porous ceramic beads instead of gravel, these hold enormous amounts of the good bacteria which convert ammonia and nitrite into nitrate. Maintenance is minimal, change the filter cartridge at the proper time and some of the tank water and that’s it!

The biggest thing to remember is that the BiOrb range is totally made up of relatively small aquaria compared with normal size glass tanks. The biggest mistake that you can make with a BiOrb tank is to fill it with far too many fish, much more than the filter and aeration system can handle. Even one goldfish in a baby BiOrb is too much and of course fish grow and can easily outgrow your BiOrb aquarium. Certain fish species, however large they are would not be happy in these tanks, they may need dense vegetation or lots of open water for fast swimmimng.

To summarise, the advantages of these tanks are:

They are well designed and cleverly lit for a brilliant look

They have a small footprint

They come with full instructions and everything in the box

The BiOrb range is made from plexiglas acrylic which is ten times stronger than glass

They come with an easy change filter cartridge

Maintenance is reduced and the fish remain healthy because of the built-in five stage filter system

and disadvantages:

They are not cheap

The small size of these tanks limits your choice of fish and their numbers

The top opening of the globe shaped tanks can make cleaning more difficult

Conclusion

Taking everything into account there is no doubt that these aquariums look great, particularly with the special lighting effects provided by the intelligent LED lighting. Provided you take care not to overstock they certainly provide easy access to the wonderful world of owning a home or office aquarium.

The Beauty Of Exotic Tropical Fish

Tropical fish can make great pets and be a fun hobby for the fish enthusiast. When setting up your first tropical fish tank, it is wise to begin with a freshwater tank and a few inexpensive and low maintenance varieties of fish. If you want to expand your hobby however, you can try your hand at some more exotic types of tropical fish and even move on to a saltwater aquarium.

Keep in mind that these fish will be a more expensive investment and the saltwater aquarium will be a little more complex to set up and maintain. The results of your research and work will be some beautiful fish to gaze at in a habitat that is designed to help them flourish. If you do not feel ready for the big league and the saltwater tank, you can select some more exotic varieties of tropical fish for you freshwater tank.

Exotic Tropical Fish for the Freshwater Tank

Once you have moved on from the platies, mollies and swordtails, you are ready for the deeper waters of the more expensive and exotic tropical fish. Some examples of species are the silver dollars, tin foil barbs and the beautiful Australian rainbow fish. While these fish will run a little higher in price, they can add beauty and color to your freshwater tank that will make them worth every penny.

If you decide to add some of these more exotic tropical fish to your mix, make sure that you carefully research each species to ensure that your tank will be the proper habitat, and your new fish will be compatible with your current fish. If you begin to investigate the various species of exotic tropical fish, upgrade to a larger tank rather than overcrowding your current one. A crowded aquarium does not lead to happy or healthy fish of any variety.

Exotic Tropical Fish for the Saltwater Tank

Just like setting up your freshwater aquarium, a saltwater tank will take plenty of research to set up properly. While you are heavy into your reading, look into what types of exotic tropical fish you would like to add to your saltwater tank, and educate yourself carefully on the specific care of each type.

While the steps in a saltwater tank are similar to that of freshwater aquariums, keep in mind that the costs will be much higher for both equipment and the exotic tropical fish that you choose. The rewards will be a beautiful tank full of colorful fish that you will be able to enjoy for many years to come.

How to Set Up a Freshwater Aquarium

How to Set Up a Freshwater Aquarium Clifford Woods

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Putting together a freshwater aquarium does not need to become a headache. You just have to acquire the proper materials and follow a few basic steps and in a short time you will have a fantastic looking aquarium that is appropriate for your fish.

There are a few things you should be aware of with a freshwater aquarium arrangement however; there are some responsibilities involved.

To begin with, there is the price factor. You will have the one time expense of putting it together, and after that you will be purchasing various maintenance products as well as fish food.

You will also have to care for it regularly; at the very least, feeding the fish, and then just about every couple weeks or on a monthly basis you will be doing some sort of maintenance. It really is just like owning any other pet, the more affection you give them, the more gratifying it will be.

Below are some suggestions for setting up your freshwater aquarium:

The dimensions of tank which you select will be based on the amount and size of fish that you would like to maintain. You cannot have fish that are congested, or a tank which is too large. The easiest method would be to begin with a ten gallon aquarium and then stock it with little fish which do not grow too big. As you become a little more knowledgeable, you may test out various other types of fish along with a larger aquarium.
Search for a spot to keep the fish tank that is secure and protected. It should be out of the reach of children and other pets that may disturb it. If it is too close to a window that allows direct sunlight, this may boost the temperature of the water. An excessive amount of direct sunlight ensures that you will have to do more algae control.
Evaluate the equipment needed. Filtration systems are diverse and are all priced differently. A few fish also generate far more waste as compared to others and they’re going to require unique types of filtration systems. When thinking about a heater, make sure you take the size of your tank into consideration. In addition, you will also need to give some thought to substrate, vegetation, along with any other accessories you will be placing into the aquarium.
Rinse the fish tank with warm water and rinse each of the parts which will go in there at the same time. Avoid using soap as this is not considered to be good for your fish. Install your filter as soon as your parts and aquarium are thoroughly clean.
Rinse the gravel in clean water along with the other accessory you have for your freshwater aquarium. The substrate must be flushed extensively and you can do this using an appropriate strainer.
After you have all of this setup, now you can put in the water. Water needs to be at room temperature and de-chlorinated.
Put in the heating unit and wait for about fifteen minutes for the temperature setting in the heating unit to adjust to the water temperature.
Now you wait. You must allow the tank to undergo a complete nitrogen cycle before adding fish. You will recognize when ready whenever you observe the water is becoming cloudy; usually after a couple of days.
Finally, put in your fish. You need to let the fish gradually adjust to the change before you put them in. Follow the instructions from the fish shop on how to go about doing this.

To keep your aquarium clean, you’ll want to use an organic probiotic solution that completely gets rid of the main cause of bacteria. The probiotics in such a solution will also greatly enhance the life of your plants and fish. Chemicals are not recommended. —

Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Natural Organic Solutions

Decorating With Aquariums – Which Room Is Best

Aquariums are one of the most interesting decorations you can put in your house. They come in all sizes and shapes; some are low maintenance, some are elaborate and require a little dedication. But anyone, from kids to seniors can take care of and enjoy aquariums.

In the Living Room

The living room or the family room is probably the most popular place to put an aquarium in the house. Everyone spends a lot of time watching TV or just hanging out and it’s a great place to enjoy the fish.

Many people put quite large aquariums in the living room, creating a focal point. If you decide to decorate with a large aquarium, it will require a sturdy table, preferably one made for aquariums. A 55-gallon fish tank full of water weighs over 600 pounds; so a jumbo fish tank becomes something of a permanent feature, not easily moved around.

A smaller aquarium can be just as nice, and perhaps more practical for beginners. Small bowls holding no more than five gallons of water do not necessarily need filtration systems, so proximity to an outlet is not important. Whether the tank is big or small, it should be kept out of direct sunlight to avoid algae growth. If the aquarium will go in front of the window, put curtains or blinds up first.

In the Dining Room

A fish tank also makes a great dining room conversation piece, especially for people who entertain many guests. Make sure the aquarium sits in a place where guests can comfortably watch the fish as they dine.

Some designers hang “flat panel” aquariums in dining rooms. These tanks may look like they are only a few inches deep but they are actually sunk into the wall. The result is like a living picture. The designer should also set up a concealed place for the tank’s machinery and chemicals nearby.

In the Bedrooms

Many kids like to have a small fish tank on the dresser, and so do adults for that matter. As most of the time in the bedroom is spent sleeping, though, the bedroom is usually the place for a modest, relaxing display rather than a whole ecosystem.

Some designers place an aquarium within the wall between the bedroom and the bathroom, creating a spot to see through, but also to enjoy fish from both sides. If your bathroom has enough privacy, and you would like a really outstanding feature, consider an in-wall aquarium.