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	Making it ASIAN
Callatya Moderator The girl's got crabs! Posts: 9662 Kudos: 5261 Registered: 16-Sep-2001	I'm thinking of making my 2' tank a loose Asian biotope. Wide-ranging, so not too region-specific. Currently it contains 4 kuhlis, 2 SAE, and 7 sparkling gouramies. (and some ghost type shrimp, but they are staying) It is planted wit blue stricta (which is melting) Cryptocornes (which are melting) and java fern. I recently added a piece of driftwood for terracing, and I would like for it to stay. I don't really want to change the substrate unless its completely necessary. Thoughts? what plants should I get? should I add dried leaves? specific rocks? wood? Callatya attached this image: For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004	IMO, the best Asian look would be to change the substrate to fine yellow sand, with fairly well angled shale rockage. A thicket of half submersed dwarf bamboo would work great too (along with some dried and epoxy coated bamboo shoots aranged haphazardly in the water). Though I know that this probably isn't the answer you're looking for, it's the only thing that really strikes my mind as Asian. Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 28-Feb-2005 18:12
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Callatya Moderator The girl's got crabs! Posts: 9662 Kudos: 5261 Registered: 16-Sep-2001	whats the likelihood of my plants growing in sand? For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Dakafall Banned Posts: 218 Kudos: 224 Votes: 7 Registered: 14-Nov-2004	not very good, sand usually kills most plants by crushing their roots, only plants like java fern, java moss, and hair grass will truely survive with sand
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004	Echis and cryptocornes do well in sand, IME. Everything else in the tank other than what I think are crypts in the front, appear to be free formed on the driftwood, so rooting isn't really a problem. Also, hairgrass NEVER does well for me in sand. Go figure. :%) Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 28-Feb-2005 21:29
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
kitten Fish Guru Meow? Posts: 2266 Kudos: 2194 Votes: 19 Registered: 18-Nov-2003	I've read that crypts do well in sand. Not sure if that's correct, but I found it in a book I have by Peter Hiscock. shrugs Also, if you have MTS, they should dig through the sand and prevent it from becoming compacted, yes? Just a thought. ~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Falstaf Fish Addict Posts: 785 Kudos: 1211 Votes: 196 Registered: 12-Feb-2004	I would let the substrate, all you need to achieve the "asian look" is contrast and as for plants i would go for: Cyperus helferi (kind of a tall grass, awesome!) Cardamine lyrata for shape and leave contrast Crinum calamistratum Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides (maritima) Hygrophila corymbosa ''angustifolia' (to fill the background) maybe a lotus for a centerpiece.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Hoa dude_dude Mega Fish Posts: 957 Kudos: 888 Votes: 72 Registered: 28-Dec-2004	http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=147 good luck http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Tanks/previous.htm http://badmanstropicalfish.com/plants/lowlands_south_asia.jpg very long link http://www.aquabotanic.com/seast.htm http://www.corydorasworld.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Aquarium-of-the-Month-August-2004&id=Roy_Werkland_s_90_gall_Asian_biotype_tank&op=modload&name=Gallery3&file=index&include=view_photo.php hope I helped thanx Babel Last edited by dude_dude at 05-Mar-2005 19:06
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26


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