Amano tanks... the key

[henward]

my version of the freshwater reef is heavily planted amano style tanks.

what is the key, im just curious.

http://www.amanotakashi.net/portfolio/nature_aquarium/images/019.jpg

http://www.amanotakashi.net/portfolio/nature_aquarium/images/002.jpg

something like this.

what is the key?

lights and ferts? co2?

i figured from my last attempt, potted plants definitely isnt gonna work long term. also i couldnt use ferts as i had too much water change going on. and too much aeration too i assume.

so my next attempt i am thinking of a closed system no sump, small filtration .... extremely low stocking to non even to begin with and really a tank o nly for aquascaping.

what type of plants grow onto the wood like that?

xmas moss ?

http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?q=amano&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&sa=N&biw=1680&bih=859&tbm=isch&tbnid=bYscXce6v7YI2M:&imgrefurl=http://www.myfishtank.net/mft-news/takashi-amano-planted-tanks/&docid=ctqtyR1owIMD-M&w=600&h=268&ei=RNp6TvDZK6SDmQWBtcmzAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=146&page=1&tbnh=89&tbnw=199&start=0&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0&tx=126&ty=24

http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?q=amano&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=DK0rtiDnkMKWPM:&imgrefurl=http://www.keywordpicture.com/keyword/takashi%2520amano%2520wallpaper/&docid=EMiGYSBbv3wIjM&w=550&h=275&ei=RNp6TvDZK6SDmQWBtcmzAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=149&page=4&tbnh=100&tbnw=199&start=99&ndsp=39&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:99&tx=8&ty=63&biw=1680&bih=859

[Bishop]

I think there are the basic rules to follow for something like this ( 2-4 wpg, 30ppm co2 ect ) but in my experience, even if brief. You can just work around what you have.

If you have 2wpg then you just adapt your ferts n maintenance accordingly. I think the point is that so much attention can easily be wasted on trying to replicate something else when the tank is trying to find its natural rhythm.

Lots to read on the subject out there just have to look in the right places

For myself personally I think the key is layout and filtration, if you get the layout wrong healthy plants and clear water only mask the ugly layout to the untrained eye.

I tried to aquascape my tank last month but didn't put enough thought into it, now it just looks "nice" and rushed rather than beautiful. Also less plant types. Personally I find it difficult not to add 100's of different specimens but the key is minimal.

Sooo...

less is more and practice makes perfect.

Any moss if you can get the nice stuff, otherwise xmas and java moss will suffice. Java ferns and needle leaf ferns also.

[henward]

I am th inking this

a planted aro tank, of course very low stock

http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?q=planted+arowana+tank&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=vejSATqBxMuQoM:&imgrefurl=http://aquarium2you.blogspot.com/2010/02/planted-tank-inspiration.html&docid=fAiIVQWR3KwsYM&w=400&h=242&ei=8r17TvmeH8XPmAWt2tyhAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=337&page=5&tbnh=148&tbnw=193&start=113&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:113&tx=109&ty=56&biw=1680&bih=858

http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?q=planted+arowana+tank&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&sa=N&biw=1680&bih=858&tbm=isch&tbnid=0oxw5y_u_y5zqM:&imgrefurl=http://arowanaclub.com/stories.php%3Fstory%3D03/01/25/8562502&docid=ntP2GpZ81TsqjM&w=400&h=218&ei=8r17TvmeH8XPmAWt2tyhAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=207&page=1&tbnh=107&tbnw=197&start=0&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:25,s:0&tx=145&ty=56

http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?q=planted+arowana+tank&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&sa=N&biw=1680&bih=858&tbm=isch&tbnid=izvBsf8upYkRLM:&imgrefurl=http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum/showthread.php/36808-Putting-plants-in-my-Arowana-tank&docid=-3ukuYt75koz8M&w=640&h=480&ei=8r17TvmeH8XPmAWt2tyhAQ&zoom=1