Nano Cube - "Rooted Rocks" [Journal]

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"Solar Fields" - 270L aquascape [Journal]

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Propagation of Echinodorus opacus 'Iguazu 2009' - Crown division

The Echinodorus opacus 'Iguazu 2009' is a stunning, still relatively rare aquatic plant. Originating from the river systems around the Iguazu Falls region, this plant is known for its robust nature and ability to adapt to a wide range of water parameters. With its dense foliage and unique coloration, it makes a beautiful addition to aquariums.

Propagating Echinodorus opacus 'Iguazu 2009' can be challenging but rewarding, as this variety does not readily produce runners or adventitious plantlets. Instead, the most effective method of propagation is crown division, which involves carefully separating the plant at its crown.
Before diving into the propagation process, it's essential to understand the structure of Echinodorus species. Like many in the Echinodorus genus, 'Iguazu 2009' is a rosette plant, meaning that it grows from a central base or "crown," with leaves emerging in a circular pattern. The crown is essentially a thickened stem, where all roots and leaves are attached.

Dividing this crown is a methodical process that requires precision, as improper division can damage the plant. With patience and careful handling, crown division can yield multiple plants from a single healthy specimen.

Preparation and required tools

For successful propagation, gather the following materials:

• A healthy plant specimen with a well-developed crown and robust root system
• Sharp, sterilized knife /razor blade to minimize the risk of bacterial infection
• A suitable substrate (such as nutrient-rich aqua soil) for replanting
• Tweezers
• Terracotta pots (if you want to grow them for further propagation - it's simpler)
• Aquarium plant fertilizers (root capsules and/or liquid)

The crown division to half method

The "division to half" technique involves splitting the crown into two portions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:

Step 1: Remove the plant from the substrate

Carefully uproot the plant from its substrate. Gently shake off any attached substrate particles to expose the roots.

Step 2: Examine the crown and root system

Once the plant is free from the substrate, examine its crown and root structure. The plant should have a sufficiently thick crown and multiple healthy roots. If it appears too thin or weak, it’s better to allow it to grow further before attempting division.

Step 3: Cutting the crown in half

Locate the center of the crown and find where the new leaf will develop. It is best to leave that part intact so that part of the plant continues to grow unhindered.

Step 4: Replanting devided plants

Plant each divided half back into the substrate or in the posts.

Root fertilizer on the bottom.

Bury the roots, but keep the crowns just above the surface.

Top part may have less roots, but it will continue to grow and develop stronger root sistem very soon.

To preventing if from uprooting stainless steel wire can be used as an ancor.

Step 5: Waiting

After 10-15 days bottom part will form a new shoot.

Sometimes it can form 2, even 3 shoots at the same time!

Step 6: Separation of young plants from the mother plant

When a new plant(s) develop at least 2 bigger rounded leaves, they can be separated from a mother plant.

Leaves of the mother plant can start to yellowing/dying off, but that is normal, especially if it has less leaves. This plant had only 2 leaves but still managed to support a new plantlet.

Plantlet can be separated with a sharp knife. Cut close to the mother plant.

Now the plantlet can be pulled out.

And that's it, we have a new plant!

The mother plant can be kept to produce more plantlets. Even if it loses all its leaves, if the crown is healthy, it can create new shoots.

The top of the mother plant will be ready for the next division (using the same method) when at least 3-4 new leaves have grown.

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"Torrent" - Contest tank 2024

Inspired by a rushing mountain stream flowing through the woods, this aquascape captures nature's raw beauty. Torrent waters shape the stones, creating a dynamic underwater landscape. Plants cling to the rocks, thriving despite the fast currents. This aquatic world reflects the resilience and harmony of nature.

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"Jurassic World" - 96L aquascape

This aquarium is inspired by Jurassic World. Hardscape made of Red Moorwood and Fossilized Wood on which various ferns grow - a good combination to evoke that period. The fish I am planning to introduce are Parambassis sp. / Gymnochanda sp. and something more bizarre looking (the weirder the better :)) depending on what will be available. Some of the plants are still not planted such as Bucephalandra and some ferns as I am waiting for the aquarium to stabilize a bit, even though the filter has been in operation since the last setup.

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Growing Microsorum sp. from the leaves

Microsorum pteropus or Java fern is a popular undemanding aquarium plant. There are many varieties of this plant in the hobby, some are quite expensive and difficult to obtain. It is a slow growing plant so if you have a small amount and would like to multiply it quickly, this is one of the ways to do it.

First you need to cut off the older leaves of the plant. To tie them down, you can use a rock or a piece of stainless steel wire mesh:

Arrange the leaves parallel, next to each other and tie them to a stone or mesh with fishing line so that the underside of the leaf is facing up:

Black spots or circular bumps that develop on the undersides of the leaves are sporangia (reproductive organs). From them new plants will be born.

Now put the tied leaves into the aquarium and wait. After 3-4 weeks you will see plenty of plantlets:

The plantlets are big enough and can be detached from the old leaves:

They can be glued to the hardscape with gel type super glue. From each plantlet new plant will grow:

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"Green Echoes" - 292L aquascape

This aquascape is inspired by a river bank where fallen trees, branches and roots are exposed to the flow of water. But despite this, life goes on and various plants come to life growing on driftwood and rocks above and below the water surface.

Hardscape

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DIY - Desktop Nano Tank

This build is for a 5 liter nano tank with canister filter hidden in the stand.

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Growing 'Monte Carlo' (Micranthemum tweediei) on Hardscapes

Micranthemum tweediei also known as 'Monte Carlo' is one of the easiest carpeting plants to grow in aquarium as a carpet in the foreground. Recently, it is very popular to grow this plant on the hardscape (stones and wood) as an epyphite plant with amazing downward creeping manner.

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Amano shrimp vs. Black beard algae (BBA)

If you wonder how efficient Amano shrimps are against BBA, here is my story. This aquarium I have used as an experimental tank; fertilizer testing, CO2, photoperiod, water flow... Like the most of my experiments, it resulted in disaster. First there was a problem with green algae (Hair algae, GSA) which I managed to fix, but then BBA appeared. We all know how stubborn this algae is and it is difficult to eradicate it even when the cause is removed. Well, it can be done with some chemicals like direct spraying with H2O2 or Excel / Easy Carbo, but these chemicals can very easily kill some sensitive plants and especially mosses. I decided for a more natural approach and give Amano shrimps a chance. This is the result;

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Nano aquascape - "By the Sea"

Dimensions: 59x20x15cm - 17 liters or 4.5 gallons
Lighting: Chihiros RGB60
Filtration: Eden 501 (sponge, ceramic rings) 

CO2: Pressurised 1 bubble every 3 seconds
Substrate: Pool filter sand, gravel 1-3mm, peat
Hardscape: Seiryu stones, Lava rocks
Flora: Riccardia chamedryfolia, Bucephalandra sp. 'Kedagang Mini type 3', Utricularia graminifolia, Eleocharis acicularis, Myriophyllum sp. 'Guyana'

Fauna: Sundadanio axelrodi 'Blue', Neocaridina davidi var. 'Blue Jelly', Clithon corona

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Cryptocoryne nurii var. raubensis 'Rosen Maiden'

This beautiful Crypt originates from the Malay Peninsula (Bt. Perah, Raub). In their natural habitat they grow on the stream banks in limestone soil. This is smaller Crypt and has tendency to grow very low, leaves growing horizontally. It is very easy Crypt to grow (both emersed and submerged).

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Nano aquascape - "Fire Garden"

Dimensions: 20x15x15cm - 4 liters or 1 gallon
Lighting: LED 9W
Filtration: Azoo Mignon 60l/h (sponge, Purolite) 
CO2: Pressurised 1 bubble every 2 seconds
Substrate: ADA Aquasoil Amazonia (regular and powder)
Hardscape: Lava rocks
Fertilization: PPS pro, Easy carbo
Plants: Eriocaulon sp. 'Sulawesi', Fissidens sp. 'Khao Sok', Rotala mexicana 'Goias'
Fish/shrimps/snails: Crystal Red shrimps, Leopard ramshorn snails

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Cryptocoryne nurii 'Platinum'

Cryptocoryne nurii 'Platinum' is found on Lingga island in the Riau Archipellago province of Sumatra. It was discovered in 2009 by Mr. Nakamoto.
This beautiful new Cryptocoryne he named Cryptocoryne sp. 'Lingga 19 – Platinum Line' based on its distinct platin-colored leaf nerves. Recently this plant got the status of a cultivar: C. nurii 'Platinum'.

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Cryptocoryne bangkaensis

A new species from the island of Bangka and Belitung near Sumatra. For a long time C. bangkaensis was considered as C. scurillis. C. bangkaensis is characterized by its limb with a more or less bumped surface with only protuberances on the margin of the limb, a narrow throat and a pronounced collar. The limb is mostly recurved and not fully flattened and is finely dotted.

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Cryptocoryne x timahensis

Cryptocoryne x timahensis is an unusual and very rare crypt. Found only in a small pool in Bukit Timah national park in Singapore. C. x timahensis grows near the top of the hill in a very tiny stream in an artificial pond which is formed by damming the stream. There are no other localities known, so this plant is extremely vulnerable for any changes in the hydrological situation. Fortunately, this area is protected by a small forest growing on and around the hill. Plants grow in a shallow stream (about 25 cm deep) and water is slightly acidic.

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Nano aquascape - "Crystal Canyon"

Dimensions: 27x20x20cm or 11x8x8" (10 liters) - Optiwhite
Lighting: Chihiros C-Series C301 14W
Filtration: Eden 501 (sponge, ceramic rings, Purolite)
CO2: Pressurised 1bps thru glass/ceramic diffuser
Substrate: ADA Aquasoil Amazonia, Quartz sand
Hardscape: Glimmer wood rocks
Fertilization: PPS pro, Easy carbo
Water parameters: Temp. 23°C, pH 6.5, KH 3, GH 6, TDS 180
Plants: Fissidens sp. 'Philippines', Fissidens sp. 'Khao sok', Fissidens sp. 'Vietnam', Riccardia graeffei, Anubias sp. 'Pangolino', Crepidomanes sp. 'Calicut', Rotala sp. 'Wayanad', Rotala macrandra 'Mini Butterfly', Rotala sp.'Needle leaf', Hottonia palustris, Hemianthus sp. 'Amano pearl grass'
Fish/shrimps: Crystal Red shrimps, Ramshorn snails

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Nano iwagumi - "Empire of Stone"

Dimensions: 36x22x26cm (ADA Mini M tank)
Lighting: ADA Aquasky Moon 361 (connected on LED controler)
Filtration: Oase FiltroSmart Thermo 100 (Reduced flow to about 250l/h)
CO2: 2kg cylinder, Neo Diffuser, 1 bps
Other gadgets: aFAN Pro cooling fan, Twinstar M3
Substrate: ADA Aquasoil Amazonia Light, quartz sand
Hardscape: Ancient Stones
Fertilization: PPS-Pro method, Easy carbo
Plants: Fissidens sp. 'Dwarf', Bucephalandra sp. 'Mini Catherinae', Eleocharis acicularis, Eleocharis parvula, Riccardia graeffei, Fissidens sp. 'Philippines', Helanthium tenellum 'Green'

Hardscape:

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Nano aquascape - "Call of the Wind"

 Day 105:

Dimensions: 27x20x20cm or 11x8x8" (10 liters) - Optiwhite
Lighting: Chihiros C-Series C301 14W
Filtration: Eden 501 (sponge, ceramic rings, Purigen)
CO2: Pressurised 1bps thru glass/ceramic diffuser
Substrate: Quartz sand
Hardscape: Dragon stones
Fertilization: PPS pro, Easy carbo
Water parameters: Temp. 23°C, pH 6.7, KH 5, GH 8
Plants: Riccardia chamedryfolia, Eleocharis sp. 'Mini', Taxiphyllum sp. "Flame moss",Anubias sp. 'Pangolino', Crepidomanes sp. 'Calicut', Elatine hydropiper, HC 'Cuba', Vesicularia ferriei 'Weeping'
Fish/shrimps: Neocaridina davidi var. Topaz Blue, Leopard ramshorn snails

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IAPLC 2017 - Top 127 [Photos]

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