BREACHED: Cardamine Lyrata's Refuge
About This Aquascape
The aquascape recreates a dense, dark, and deep aquatic refuge, using driftwood as “teeth” and Cardamine lyrata as both plant cover and focal point. The scene takes place in a shadowy, almost nocturnal environment, with an intense light at the end of the refuge. It represents the moment when larger predators break in, forcing the smaller ones to flee in disarray.
- Filter
- Oase 600 thermo
- CO2 System
- ± 30ppm 1 hour before lights turn on and up to an hour before they turn off.
- Lighting
- Chihiros WRGB 2 PRO 90, Chihiros WRGB SLIM 60 and Aquael leddy 14w.
- Substrate
- ADA Amazonia V2, Fluval Bio-Stratum, ADA Power Sand, volcanic gravel.
- Hardscape Materials
- Driftwood, ancient roots, mini roots, black sky rocks, assorted gravels, dark and grey sand.
- Background
- Black cardboard and LED window.
Species
Hyphessocbrycon wadai, Paracheirodon simulans, Otocinclus affinis, Caridina multidentata, Neocaridina heteropoda red rili and Planorbis planorbis.
Plant species
Cardamine lyrata, Hydrocotyle tripartita and verticillata, Glossostigma elatinoides, Marsilea hirsuta, Helianthum tenellum green and red, Lilaeopsis brasilensis and novae-celindae, Eleocharis pusilla mini, Lobelia cardenalis mini, Cryptocoryne pink panther, Pogostemon octopus and erectus, Hygrophila araguaia, Rotala green, h'ra, orange juice, true blood and wallichii, Fissidens fontanus, Weeping moss and Leptodictyum riparium.
Fertilization
NPK + micros: 2 ml daily + extra potassium salts 1 ml/day (Monday through Friday). Fertilizer from approximately day 30: NPK + micros: 4 ml daily + extra potassium salts 2 ml/day (Monday through Thursday). Friday: double dose (1 before the water change and another after). Neo Essence: Monday and Thursday, 4 ml. Flourish Iron: Monday and Thursday, 1 or 2 ml. After pruning: Flourish Advanced, 12.5 ml.
Roberto Buenadicha
Martorell, Barcelona, Spain
Quick Stats
- Style
- Aquatic Garden
- Size
- 90x60x40 cm
- Volume
- 216 L (57.1 gal.)
- Plant Species
- 17
- Fish Species
- 5
Judges' Comments
This layout really stands out at the first glance due to its color tone and the unusual plant selection (Cardamine). The bold decision to use this plant as the main character of this layout is very commendable and deserve its credit. The driftwoods and rocks become the complimentary element to the plants - which is something we do not see often. The presence of fish can be improved - a nice and larger group of schooling fish will add some dynamism to this tank.
— Josh Sim
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