AquaScapingWorld

Making Magic In Glass Boxes

Aquascape In Focus: Shimmering Hills

A Tokyo Aquarium Event
Nano Aquascaping Competition 2008 Results
Aquascaping Purposefully
Aquatic Plant Anatomy: The Root

www.aquascapingworld.com VOLUME 1, ISSUE 5

JULY 2008
 Letter from the Editor

Inside our July Issue

Nano aquascapes are one of the hardest layouts to design and maintain
because of their small sizes. But when done right, like our Aquascape
in Focus this Month, Shimming Hills by Jeff Progob, they can be a great
ascent piece to your home or office.

The nice thing about nano tanks is that they can be easily transported.
This aspect came in handy for aquascapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
where local aquascapers gathered together to compete in a regional
Nano Aquascaping Competition. They drained their aquariums,
loaded them up, and brought their tanks back to their full beauty. Stan
Chung gives us a blow by blow of the events at the Midvalley
Convention Centre, and shows us some of the great nano aquascapes
among the tables and tables of aquariums.

A few stone throws away, in Japan, Steven Chong visits a Tokyo

Aquarium Event and shares with us photos of some of the top planted
aquariums and rare fish brought to the event. Although some of these
tanks aren’t so nano, they are exquisite works of living art.

Try to stay cool this summer. Happy a great month aquascaping!

John Nguyen
Editor in Chief
AquaScaping World Magazine

2 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Introduction for the fifth issue of AquaScaping World Magazine.
By John Nguyen

4 THE AQUASKETCHER TOOL

Design and sketch your aquarium online with this newly available tool.
By Ofri Dagan

8 AQUASCAPE PLANTS PURPOSELY

Turn your jungle of plants into a natural, eye-popping aquascape.
By Tom Messenger

12 SPECTACULAR HIGHLIGHTS OF A TOKYO AQUARIUM EVENT

Breeders and aquascapers come out in full force to showcase rare breeds of
fish and their aquascapes.
By Steven Chong

18 MEASURING CARBON DIOXIDE: THE PH/KH CO2 RELATIONSHIP

Carbon dioxide is one the most important components for plant metabolism.
The pH/KH CO2 relationship chart offers hobbyists a way to gauge how
much C02 they are injecting.
By Cecil Griffith

20 AQUASCAPE IN FOCUS: SHIMMERING HILLS

This month we feature Jeff Pogrob’s ADA Mini-S aquascape, Shimmering
Hills. Find out how he manages to make a small aquarium appear so large.
By ASW Editor

30 MALAYSIAN NANO AQUASCAPING COMPETITION 2008

Check out the winners of this regional aquascaping event. While your at it,
feast your eyes on those winning nano aquascapes.
By Stan Chung

32 AQUATIC PLANT ANATOMY PART III: THE ROOT

Continuing our exploration of different parts of our aquatic plants, this article
examines the functions of the root system.
By Freemann

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 3

 AquaSketcher
Design Your A
4 Aqua-
 By Ofri Dagan

I
created TheAquaTools.com
with the intent of providing
useful tools for aquarium
keepers. I released the new
website on May 2008 and I plan
to provide more and more tools.
Among the tools that are
currently available on the site are:
CO2 Calculators, Glass
Thickness Calculator, Fertilization
Calculator, Problems Diagnose
and the AquaSketcher.
The AquaSketcher is
probably the most popular tool on
the site. As its name suggests,
the purpose of this tool is to help
an aquascaper design his next
project by making a sketch of
what the aquascape will look like.
The sketch can then be shown to

Aquarium other aquascapers who can then

provide their opinions and
suggestions to enhance the initial
design. One could also use the
AquaSketcher to provide
additional description when
showcasing his tank.
Developing the AquaSketcher
JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 5
 The aquarium is 180x90x70 cm that I sketched. Notice I eventually used Anubias
instead of Hemianthus Cuba, which doesn't seem to grow in my large tank.

Browsing through several look a little different and have a Next I recommend you set
aquascaping contests, I notice little different size. the tank's dimensions (figure 2).
people were required to provide In the first version of the Simply enter the 'length', 'width'
some sort of a planting map AquaSketcher only plants images and 'height' fields (centimeters)
along with pictures of their tanks. were included, but as people and click on 'update'. You should
Sometimes it’s difficult to see were repeatedly asking for see the tank and map change,
what plants are used and how hardscaping ability, I quickly unless your new dimensions
exactly they were planted. I have added rocks and driftwoods. have exactly the same ratio as
even seen some contestants the default ones.
submit a hand-drawn sketch with Using the AquaSketcher
the plant lists. Since the purpose of the Step 3: Set the Hardscape and
So at first, I just wanted to Aquasketcher is making a sketch Plants
provide an easy way to make a of an aquascape, and not a Like in a real aquascape it is
planting map for a tank. After realistic 3D picture, I wanted the best to first set the hardscape. To
doing this it seemed very natural program to be as simple as add a rock (or any other object
to also display a preview of the possible to use. Unlike most 3D like plants and woods) choose
planting map. This is where the programs, all of the work with the one from the 'Plants Pool', pick a
whole thing got interesting. Aquasketcher is done in a 2D color for that object group (this
I spent a lot of time thinking space - the planting map. This, in will only effect the planting map –
about how this display would look my opinion makes everything not the preview display), adjust
like. At some point, I even much simpler to use. Of course it it's height and finally "plant" the
thought about using 3D models of also has some disadvantages rock by clicking on the map (to
the plants. Realizing it would be that have to do with flexibility, but delete a "pot" use ctrl+click on
very difficult to get real-3D in this case I chose the simpler-to the pot). You should see a small
models of aquatic plants and it -use way. Here is how you can circle on the map and the object
will make the program much make a sketch using the added to the preview display
more complex, I decided to go for AquaSketcher: (figure 3).
a relatively simple, pseudo 3D
view. The view mainly consists of Step 1: Select Your Plants and Step 4: Insert Plant species
2D images of plants placed inside Hardscape Keep adding your rocks and
a (real) 3D tank. As the tank When creating a sketch, you woods to get the desired
rotates, the plants move correctly will first choose the objects hardscape. Add the foreground,
in the 3D space, but they will also (plants, rocks and woods) you midground and finish the sketch.
rotate around the vertical axis to are going to use in your sketch.
always point to the viewer. This is done in the "Plants The Future of the AquaTools
As for the plants images Manager" window (figure 1), by The AquaTools will be
themselves, I decided to use selecting the objects you want developed further to meet the
paintings of plants rather than and clicking on 'Add'. When you needs of planted tank hobbyists.
photos – I found it looks much are done choosing the objects, The first version of the program
better. To make the preview click on 'Continue' to close the didn't include hardscape or the
display more realistic, I added a plants manager – you will now ability to save the sketch. Both of
random factor that effect how the see the main window (figure 2). those features (implemented
image will render. On every now) are a result of comments
'update' of the view the plant may Step 2: Set Tank Dimensions made by the people in the

6 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

 The AquaSketcher
Figure1 Select Your Plants and Hardscape Materials

Figure 2 Main Window, Set Tank Dimensions

Figure 4: A progression of adding plants and hardscape elements

Figure 5: Save your layout and share it with the world

Figure 3: Define where you want to place the plants and rocks

forums. There were also some to consider the benefit versus the and woods.
suggestions I didn't implement, complexity. I always listen to what
such as: different backgrounds, Among the features I do plan people on the forums have to
different bottom colors and to implement are: starting from a say, and try to keep up with the
texture, adding slopes, planting template-sketch instead of demand. I will continue to build
on rocks and more. I'm not going starting from scratch, to show on TheAquaTools.com –
to implement all of those ideas, plants names when the mouse suggestions will be appreciated.
mostly because it will hurt the moves over them, adding fish
simplicity of the program – I need and adding more plants, rocks

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 7

 Aquascaping Plants Pu
Foreground, Midground, and Backgro

8 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

urposefully
ound
By Tom Messenger

A
well designed planted
aquarium not only looks
natural in its artificial
environment, but it also
stirs up calming emotions to
each of the viewers. It is
important to select the most ideal
aquatic plant species for your
aquascape, and arrange them in
a harmonious design which
looks organic and effortless. In
this article, I will discuss exactly
how to create these effects with
commonly used aquatic plants,
and the aquascaping
arrangement concepts that will
make your planted aquarium
stand out.
Let’s begin. Before plants
are introduced to the layout,
water should be added to the
aquarium just to the top of the
A look at selecting and arranging aquatic substrate line. This makes
planting easier as plants stay in
plants for your planted aquarium the substrate better when it is
wet. Also, you don’t have to get
your whole arm wet!

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 9

 In this scape, there are only two plant species used: Rotala rotundifolia
and Glossostigma elatinoides. Though the scape exhibits healthy growth,
the overall aquascape could benefit from a defined foreground, midground,
and background transition. Trimming the Rotala rotundifolia so that it has a
tier effect would greatly improve the aquascape’s visual depth and
transition from midground to background. Alternatively, inserting a new
midground plant would help achieve a proper visual depth transition.

Foreground Midground Plans Background

The plants you use for the The midground is the most The background is probably the
foreground of your layout will important part of the aquascape, easiest area to manipulate in
depend on the layout style. You as it is responsible for pulling the order to add shape to the layout.
may not even need foreground foreground and background Most often used as background
plants if you are attempting an together. The midground can plants are the long-stemmed
open foreground layout, which either make or break an varieties such as Rotala sp,
have become quite popular aquascape. Once you have a Hygrophila sp, Ludwigia sp, and
recently. Common foreground strong hardscape formation, you Mayacca sp. Exceptions to this
plants include Glossostigma need to place your plants to can include plants such as
elatinoides, Hemianthus compliment it. Think of it as the Vallisneria sp, the larger
callitrichoides (HC), Eleocharis transition period between the Cryptocoryne sp, and
sp, Riccia fluitans and even moss short and tall plants. You can use Aponogeton sp. Stems especially
species such as Vesicularia and the midground space to create are easy to trim to a certain
Taxiphyllum sp. that sense of depth (or shape, but slower growing
In many Iwagumi layouts, perspective) in the layout. By species such as Crypts have to
Glossostigma or HC are used to planting in diagonals, you can be carefully selected to provide
good effect as a foreground plant. lead the viewer’s eye further into the intended look without
Iwagumis often use exclusively the layout, Try varying the height outgrowing their quarters.
foreground plant species to of the plants too. You can trick
create or accent that effect of your viewers into thinking your
rolling hills, or to form more aquarium is larger than it really is.
dramatic coastline scenery for This is a very desirable trait,
example. especially in Nature Aquaria.
Some Iwagumis incorporate You can see, in many ADA
two species of plants growing layouts in particular, how the
together, such as Riccia fluitans midground can be used as a
or various moss species, with transition from low growing E.
Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis sp.) tenellus or S. natans for example,
growing through. This technique up to Bolbitus heudelotii and
of growing different species moss covered driftwood, through
intertwined together provides a to stems or tall Crypt. balansae at
very natural, wild, and almost the back. If you neglect the
unruly feel to the aquascape. midground, your layout will often
end up with what is known as
Field in Front of Wall Syndrome,
or FFWS. This is quite a self
explanatory term, meaning that
you have the foreground directly
in front of the tall background
plants, and it can ruin the
aquascape.

10 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 11
 Spectacular Highlig
Tokyo Aquariu

From aquascapes to rare breeds of

fish, this aquaria event features the
best of both worlds.
12 AquaScaping World JULY 2008
ghts from A
m Event
By Steven Chong

L
ast month I had the
fortune of being able to
attend an aquarium
event Tokyo, Japan.
This event focused on the
different aspects of the
aquarium hobby from fauna,
equipment to aquatic plants. I
went to the event with the staff
and other customers of Aqua
Forest Shinjuku, a fantastic
ADA distributor in the busiest
station in Tokyo (and the mid-
point between my home and
school here in Japan).

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 13

 One of the primary planted aquariums from talented shrimp tank with twigs to larger
showcases was the massive Japanese aquascapers and local aquariums around 90cm or
goldfish contests. Breeders from aquarium stores. They competed larger.
around the world featured some in a small aquascaping contest in There was also quite a
of the most beautiful goldfish I which my collegues from Aqua showing in complexly designed
have ever seen. Rare Ryukin Forest Shinjuku entered four vivariums. I was especially
breeds (noted by a hump right tanks into. They won best of shocked by a tall display with
after the head and special show awards for two of them beautiful moss that featured two
colorations) were showcased which is very good considering baby gars and one baby arowana
among the various Oranda, the high quality aquascapes in the approximately five gallon
Fantail, Moor, and Telescope entered in from the other water area at the bottom. All I
breed goldfish types. competitors. There were about can say is “Yappari Ajia tte chau
There was an impressive twenty different planted wa” (As expected, Asia is just
aquascaping gallery featuring aquariums ranging from a tiny different).

14 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

 Did you Know?
We weren’t always so
Gold...

Goldfish are a popular fish among aquarium keepers. Most

hobbyists get their first taste of aquaria by starting out with a
goldfish. Little did they know their brightly colored goldfish weren’t
always so colorful. Thousands of years ago, Chinese Monks caught
plain, dull gray color species of fish, and placed them in their
outdoor ponds to ward off mosquito larvae. After many generations,
they noticed color and shape variations which they developed
further to what we know as a Goldfish.
Nowadays goldfish are specially bred for their colors and
special phenotypic traits. Breeders will selectively breed out the
The aquarium that different traits to create a gold fish that has two tails, larger eyes,
impressed me the most was a certain color patterns and shapes. These beautiful goldfish are just
very stereotypical ADA type of a sample of the hundreds of different breeds brought to the Tokyo
design with cardinals and red Aquarium Event by goldfish breeders around the region. In Asian
torpedo barbs. Strictly designed cultures, goldfish are said to bring harmony, tranquility, and luck (if
to mimic the Nature Aquarium kept outdoors). They are a coldwater species and need ample room
Style, it contained the beautiful to grow and mature.
soft texture of densely positioned
plants and harmonious balance in
layout that would make Takashi
Amano proud.
However, the aquarium that
stole the show is something far
from the Nature Aquarium Style.

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 15

Stunning vivariums like this one illustrate the
diversity of aquariums at the event.

It was a massive aquarium with a

70cm x 50cm front wall featuring
a large Bolbitis heudelotti tree. I
cannot help but think that
Portugal’s own Filipe Oliveira’s
little tank, Syrah, has made a
creative impacted here in Asia.
The tree was certainly
unique, as was the technique of
using scattered stems of Rotala
macranda as “flowers” amongst a
field of Hemianthus plants that could grow grow can also not work when it is
callitrichoides. However for me, it around the tree unbalanced with overly designed..
was simply not my taste. The the rest of the scape. It created a Certainly creative though,
whole aquascape simply left a large black “blob” that dominated and it was apparent that the
taste of “over-done” to me, from too much of the display. judges thought so too. Do not
the forceful tree technique, to the Ultimately, the eye ended up get me wrong, it was an excellent
R.macrandra flowers, down to the going to brighter areas of the tank scape with a lot to learn from—I
show-off livestock (in my opinion, and staying there, resulting in a am simply critiquing to find the
red candy shrimp are just misuse of space. In addition, the line between good and great.
unnecessary in this type of large shadow it casted required I had an enjoyable time at
aquascape). additional lighting to be added the event. There is no other
The tree also had the that made the whole design less place that I’ve been to in the
negative effect of being overly attractive. Bottom line is that United States where one could
dark. This made the types of building a tree can work; but it see these spectacular

16 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

 (Left) This aquascape impressed the
competition judges with the unique Bolbitis
heudelotti tree and carefully placed red stems
of Rotala macranda throughout the scape.

(Bottom) Snapshot of a stunning aquascape

entered into the competition.

aquascapes, extraordinary fish

species. It was a truly fun and
stunning sight to see. I hope you
will take pleasure from the
photos, and perhaps one day
have a chance to attend one of
these Tokyo aquarium events in
the future yourself.

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 17

 Measuring
Carbon Dioxide
The pH/KH CO2
Relationship
By Cecil Griffith

18 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

A
few years ago, it was aquarium. Now, KH refers to hardscape materials. As a
common practice carbonic hardness which helps result, if you rely on a strict value
among hobbyist to buffer the carbonic acids of KH and pH alone, you may find
measure their CO2 released during CO2. By a false CO2 measurement which,
injection levels based on a pH/KH measuring each value and in most instances, indicates that
CO2 Relationship chart. applying it into a set you have more CO2 than you
Hobbyists would measure the two mathematical formula , we can actually have in your aquarium.
variables, pH and KH, look at a derive our CO2 levels.
chart and tah-dah they figured There are too many pH/KH Chart Results
out they are injecting x amount of variables in aquarium water to As I mentioned before, the
CO2 ppms in their aquarium. use the pH/KH/CO2 chart/ ph/KH/CO2 Chart can help
Sounds to easy to be true? Well calculator. The CO2 pH/KH beginners gain a basic
it is. relationship is a good guideline to understanding of how much C02
get a generally reading of C02 they are injecting. It’s been a
The pH/KH CO2 Relationship levels, but it not exactly perfect. great tool that has taught many
Let’s discuss how the pH/KH/ It assumes tested aquarium hobbyists how the acid affects pH
CO2 chart works. pH and KH water has perfectly set levels of levels, and how buffering KH can
variables operate together in a KH and pH which don’t vary. In prevent pH from falling
linear formula that tabulates CO2 reality that’s nearly impossible to drastically. But in the end, it can
levels. Without going to deep have such water. There are only provide one a general gauge
into the chemistry, as CO2 phosphates, tannins, organic of their CO2 levels.
dissolves into water, it releases acids and bases that come from A C02 drop checker is one of
carbonic acid which will drive fish waste, decaying plant matter, the best way to monitor your CO2
down the pH of the aquarium. and nitrifying bacteria that will level. We will discuss this further
When our tests read a lower pH affect the rising and falling of pH in future articles.
from the initial without CO2 on a daily basis. KH readings can
injection pH value, we have a be misread due to dissolving Reference:
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/
good indicator that the CO2 is minerals from stones, shells in art_plant_co2chart.htm
being dispersed into the the substrate, and other

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 19

Aquascape In Focus
Shimmering Hill
An Inte
20 AquaScaping World JULY 2008
 W
hen we asked Jeff
Pogrob what’s the
key to having a
successful planted
aquarium. He told us we need
three things. A Vision, plant
knowledge, and a diverse
inventory. Well, from the looks
of his current aquascape, Jeff
certainly had all three of those
tools when he created this

s
month’s Aquascaping in
Focus, Shimmering Hills. As we
take a closer look at his
aquascape, Jeff shares with us
some of his aquascaping

erview with Jeff Pogrob philosophies and past

aquascapes.

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 21

Jeff Pogrob sits proudly next his aquascape, Shimmering Hills.

Q: Hi Jeff, before we get into slice of nature, and it renewed my of the time the inspiration is just
your aquascape, please tell us interest in the hobby. exactly that: an inspiration. The
a little about yourself. initial design of an aquascape
Q: Since you saw Amano’s takes on a different look once I
A: I’m 45 years old, live in New aquascapes first are you more get a feel for the space and
York and have a very, very interested in Nature Style layout of the aquarium. Over the
understanding family who allow Aquariums? long haul of the aquascape, it’s
me to have fun with this hobby. I really a trial and error thing until
always enjoyed keeping fish as a A: I don’t really favor one style or the scape feels right. As I
kid and although there might another. I can appreciate an mentioned before, one of my
have been a few plants in the Iwagumi scape as much as a original inspiring aquascapers
tank, it was the fish that were the lush forest type layout. I do like was Takashi Amano. Another
primary focus. The plants or aquascapes that feature a good name that comes to mind would
shall we say the “scape” were amount of hardscape. be Oliver Knott.
secondary. I really hadn’t keep a
fish tank in probably 20 years Q: Where do you find your Q: Let’s talk about your scape,
until I was influenced by seeing aquascaping inspiration? Shimmering Hills. How did you
pictures of Takashi Amano’s develop this layout?
Aquascapes in the his Nature A: I’m inspired by many different
Aquarium World books. I was types of nature scenes. It really A: One of the most interesting
amazed that a “fish tank” could could be a famous vista or simply things about this aquascape is
be transformed into a beautiful a small meadow that happens to the use of Boblitis heudelotii in
have interesting character. Most such a small space. The three

22 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

The pearling oxygen bubbles from the Peacock moss in this ADA Mini-S often sparkles under the light inspiring the “shimmering” title of the
aquascape.

plants used have completely definitely go by feel more than Q: Jeff, you maintain your tank
different leaf patterns and anything else and what I types of very well. I can’t even see a
growing habits. This combined plants I can get my hands on. I spot of algae. Did you have any
with the rocks gives the tank a lot do kind a think almost any plant algae problems?
of contrast, but also keeps it very species can fit any tank if it’s
blissful with just shades of green arranged and trimmed properly. A: The only real algae that
and stone. develops in this tank is on the
The title of the scape, Q: What does it take to glass and rocks, which is quickly
Shimmering Hills was derived maintain your layout? remedied during one of the 10-
from the way the moss looks as it minute clean-ups. For me I’ve
grows (and sometimes pearls) A: Maintenance consists of 50% always been successful in
against the lava rocks. water change weekly. During the combating algae by defending
water change I dose dry ferts the tank on several fronts. I
Q: How did you choose your Macros (NPK) and I use Liquid recommend keeping as large a
plant species and fish for this Flourish for Micros. Trimming is bio-filter as possible (both in the
particular scape? as needed for the moss and other tank and in the filter). Also try to
plants. These little scapes are limit amount of fauna and instead
A: For this particular scape, due great, since a 10 minute clean-up maximize flora mass. Keeping
to its size it was going to house here and there usually does the up with water, filter media
shrimp so deciding what fauna trick. This tank is sourced by changes, and of course having
was going in the tank was easy. soft tap water. limited light duration are
Based on what I had available I important elements to having an
went with Cherry Shrimp. I algae free tank.

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 23

 At startup I think it’s essential not be discounted. The more the Month for June on Aquatic
to assist the stagnant plants and rocks, wood you have on hand Plant Central.
immature bio-filter by using the easier it is to make them
organic removal products like work. It’s much harder for
carbon, Seachem Purigen, and example to create an Iwagumi Q: Where is the future of
keeping the photoperiod duration style scape if you only have three planted aquariums headed in
to around 6 to 7 hour. Increase rocks to work with. the United States?
the lighting time as the tank
matures. If one does all these A: I actually think the future for
things, I believe algae issue will Q: Do you have a favourite planted tanks is pretty bright in
be kept to a minimum. aquascape? the US. I do think from my
experiences that most still look at
A: One of my favorites, which I an aquarium as a place to house
Q: What’s the secret to being a consider my first real aquascape fish and not as an aquascape or
successful aquascaper? where everything came together do I say a piece of art. So it’s no
was Petrified Valley. As I coincidence when looking at the
A: I’ve always thought there were mentioned I like a lot of high-end of the hobby most
three things you need to be a hardscape and with this tank the expenditure is on saltwater
successful aquascaper: Vision, hardscape was front and center because of the fish.
plant knowledge and inventory. literally. The tank was created in Takashi Amano’s influence,
Vision and plant knowledge are early 2007 and was the Tank of through his books and feature
pretty obvious, but inventory can articles in main stream aquarium

A Red Cherry Shrimp balances on a frond of Peacock moss.

24 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

magazines, should definitely help fish tank”. I think once that
to expand the planted tank end of happens the hobby has truly
the hobby. More distributors/ arrived.
retailers will provide specific
plant products on the shelves of Q: With this layout complete,
local fish stores as the hobby what will you be doing next?
grows.
In terms of American style, I A: In terms of my future, I look
don’t know if that has come about forward to creating more scapes.
yet in the same way the Dutch I’m always looking for something
style developed and the Iwagumi that will be truly unique. Not
style. But I won’t be surprised if sure what aquascape I will do
we see contest entries in the near next, but I’ll definitely need vision,
future that state “American Style”. plant knowledge and the
inventory to get it done.
Q: Where would you like to see
the hobby go?

A: I would like to see the planted

tank hobby get to a point where
someone who sees one of my
scapes, refers to it has “Nice
Scape” and not “That’s a hell of a

Layers of Peacock moss form fluffy mounds and hills around the rocks.

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 25

Petrified Valley
Dimensions: 48" x 18" x 23"
Plant List
Volume: AGA 72 Gallons
Riccia fluitans,
Light: 196 Compact Fluorescent Lighting
Ludwigia repens x L. arcuata
Photoperiod: 10 hours
Hemianthus callitrichoides
Substrate: Carbisea Eco Complete
Rotala rotundifolia
CO2: Pressurized CO2 with Glass diffuser
Limnophila aromatic
Cryptocoryne wendtii Bronze
Hygrophila difformis

26 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

Fauna
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hemigrammus rodwayi
Otocinclus affinis
Neocaridina denticulata sinensis
Caridina Multidentata

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 27

Shimmer Hills
Dimensions: 31x18x 24cm ADA Mini S Plant List
Volume: 0.8 liters Taxiphyllum sp. "Peacock"
Light: Coralife Mini 2x9w 6700K Boblitis heudelotii
Photoperiod: 10 hours Cyperus helferi
Substrate: ADA Aquasoil II
Filtration: Eheim 2213 Fauna
Fertilizer: Dry fertilizers NPK and Seachem Flourish once weekly Neocaridina denticulata sinensis
CO2: DIY Yeast CO2 with glass diffuser

28 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 29
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 Photo Courtesy of
http://cccmkc.edu.hk/~kei-kph/Hydrophyte/hydrophyte.htm

32 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

Aquatic Plant
Anatomy Part III
Examining the Root
By Freemann

I
Tiny root hairs help aquatic plants n our previous examination
of Aquatic Plant Anatomy
absorb essential nutrients and anchor we took a look at the stem
and leaf. In this third
them into the substrate of a planted installment of Aquatic Plant
Anatomy I am introducing the
aquarium. root.
Although the root is axial in
construction it lacks the leaves of
the shoot axis. Generally, roots
develop in the soil, but they may
also form in the water and in the
air. Roots not only absorb water
and minerals; they also provide
the plants with firm anchorage in
the soil. Occasionally the roots

JULY 2008 AquaScaping World 33

Ill.1 Structure of the Root

1. Schematic diagram of longitudinal section through a young root with root cap, area of root hair and beginning lateral root formation,

2. Schematic diagram of a cross section of a root of Stratiotes Aloides,

3. Cross section of root of Vallisneria spiralis, cellular, showing reduced central vascular strand,

4. Cross section of a respiratory root of Ludwigia adscendens, cellular, showing highly developed aeration tissue

34 AquaScaping World JULY 2008

take over the function of a the root). It differs from the Some aquatic plants, e.g.
storehouse for nutrients. epidermis of the shoot axis and Ceratophyllum, Utricularia and
When a seed germinates, the leaves in that it has very thin Wolffia are rootless.
the primary root or radicle cell walls and lacks a cuticular
(already present in the embryo) layer as well as any stomates. Terminology
develops first. In a number of Slightly behind the vegetation • Radicle: The first part of a
dicotyledonous plants the main cone root hairs develop; they seedling (a growing plant
root throws out subsidiary roots; embed themselves in the soil embryo) to emerge from the
these branch, become fibrous surrounding them and support seed during the process of
and eventually form the whole water and mineral absorption. germination. The radicle is
root system. Other Rhizodermis and root hairs the embryonic root of the
dicotyledonous plants develop die at a fairly early stage to be plant, and grows downward in
additional, adventitious roots in replaced by a cortical layer the soil
the axis of the shoot. Most formed from cells which have • Adventitious roots: A root
aquarium plants belong to the become suberose. The cortical that grows from somewhere
latter category. The primary root layer consists predominantly of other than the primary root,
often dies at a later stage. fundamental tissue cells; in for example, roots that arise
Monocotyledons always have a marsh and aquatic plants it may from stems or leaves.
short-lived primary root which is be crossed by ventilation ducts • Cuticular layer: Waxy
replaced by adventitious roots. (Ill. 1.2). covering produced by the
Ferns have adventitious roots The skin of the vertically epidermal cells of leaves,
only. upwards-growing respiratory young shoots and all other
For the aquarist, it is roots of many Ludwigia species is aerial plant organs
invaluable that the plants have made up almost entirely of • Suberose: Having the
the habit of forming adventitious spongy respiratory tissue (Ill. appearance of being gnawed
roots. Thus various methods of 1.4). In addition, central cylinder • Rhizome: Horizontal stem of
asexual propagation are possible, is situated immediately below the a plant that is usually found
e.g. the use of cuttings for epidermis of the root. Lateral underground, often sending
growing new plants. All roots roots form in the outermost layer out roots and shoots from its
growing from newly planted of cells of the central cylinder and nodes
rhizomes or nodules develop branch off. Thus, they develop in • Adventitious: Growing from
adventitious roots. Buds form on direct contrast to lateral shoots, an unusual part of the plant
the roots of some plants, e.g. lateral roots having to push their
Microsorium and may develop way through the epidermis of the
into adventitious plants. root (Ill. 1). The central cylinder is
The root grows by means of mainly composed of the vascular
a vegetation cone protected by a bundle of the root system. . It
special covering—the root cap (Il. may be very reduced in plants
1). The younger sections of the with a permanently submerged
root are enclosed by a one- habit (Ill. 1).
layered rhizodermis (epidermis of

JULY 2008 AquaScaping

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