Likoma Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 We have been commissioned to setup and stock a Rift Lake tank for a customer. The tank measures 200 x 70 x 70 and will be filtered with a 400lt sump and an FX5. I was given free reign as to stocking and the aquascape. I wasn't able to visit the Malawian Lake bottom for inspiration. I did get to visit the Kaikoura coastline of the South Island of New Zealand and found plenty of inspiration. I spent a long time collecting rocks that were of the same type and varying sizes. We then measured out the dimensions of the aquarium on the ground and placed the rocks into formations within boundaries. I would spend some time considering each placement until it just worked. Once we were happy with design we started the process of placing the rocks into the aquarium. Not easy considering the waiting of two of the boulders (32kg). The setup process is still going on. I will be connecting the plumbing for the sump in the next few days. I am very excited about it all. Thanks for looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#!CrunchBang Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Looks awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 That's some nice rock, I was going to get something similar but then the tide came in Looking good :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 looks good. there are some very good video on youtube about the rift lakes if you need inspiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Ive got some photos taken when we were there last year if you want me to send you some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likoma Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Thanks for all the great feedback. I spent a fair amount of time in and around the Lake. I wish my memory was better. I used my time in Kaikoura to really study the way boulders, roots and gravel interact in a natural way. Ive got some photos taken when we were there last year if you want me to send you some. Yes please. I was way to skint to own an underwater camera in my younger days. My main aim of this scape was to create many separate territories in a small area. Caves that have only one entrance. While diving I noticed how tiny fish can fend off much larger opponents when ensconced in a non swim-though cave. Breaking up line of sight will go a long way to achieve this. IE a cave on either side of the large boulders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 The best aquascapes are those modelled off terrestrial scenes, not underwater ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judyw Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Looking good Greg, all that time moving the components around on the ground has paid off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 :spop: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I dont have underwater ones, you need to be either mad or an idiot to go in the water in Africa these days. I do have shots taken on and of the lakes with surrounding vegetations and stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 you got a croc phobia??? swam with freshies in queensland good fun and made the tourists freak out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 I dont have underwater ones, you need to be either mad or an idiot to go in the water in Africa these days. I do have shots taken on and of the lakes with surrounding vegetations and stuff. Why what is in the water over there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godly3vil Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Looks great so far Likoma, can't wait to see it finished! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 this is why you should not swim http://goafrica.about.com/od/healthands ... harzia.htm having been injected for pretty much everything else we were not keen to come down with anything like this. Despite all our precautions I did catch a bug, was pretty unwell for 2 weeks and it took another 7 for me to recover completely. Note the recommended treatment Likoma I will send the pics through to you tonight, would you please pm me your email address as my photo size is very dense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 hrmmm, come home and down a bottle of Avitrol and you'd be fine, well worth a dive in those lakes imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likoma Posted January 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Just add water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 That looks super sweet! :cophot: :spop: . I am sure your client will be very happy with your work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarletmonuka Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 ack your last photo won't load! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likoma Posted February 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 We have just set up a hard scape for one of our sponsors. Its an AquaOne Reef tank that is stocked with high quality Blue Dolphins, Yellow Peacocks, Taiwanee Reefs and Electric Yellows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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