The Forbidden Valley
About This Aquascape
The setup is inspired from the valleys of Uttrakhand (India) which are full of wildlife and forests. I visited there to get some inspiration to make this beautiful and unique paludarium system. I kept the scape minimalistic with flora and fauna. The system is consist of automated spray unit for terrestrial vegetation with 8 hours photo period. I change the water 50% once a week.
- Filter
- Internal Sump
- CO2 System
- NA
- Lighting
- DIY LED
- Substrate
- Lawa chips, Aquasoil, Gangatic sand, White sand.
- Hardscape Materials
- Himalayan Rocks
- Background
- White Vinyl
Species
Poecilia sphenops 7nos. Xiphophorus maculatus 2nos.
Plant species
Submerged: Echinodorus tenellus micro, Elodea densa, Hygrophilla difformis. Terrestrial: Star moss, Sheet moss, Polytrichum juniperinum, ferns.
Fertilization
Once a week
Manvendra kumar
Najibabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Quick Stats
- Style
- Paludarium
- Size
- 90x60x60 cm
- Volume
- 324 L (85.6 gal.)
- Plant Species
- 7
- Fish Species
- 2
Judges' Comments
This is beautiful paludarium that does a great job of referencing its inspiration. The hardscape is beautiful, giving direct and clear indications to a mountain range. The transition from the emergent to submerged portion is incredibly smooth, not sudden. The submerged portion suffers lightly from yellowing, but otherwise provides a great transition from life above.
— Jack McCarley
I would maybe suggest dropping your water level down. It splits your scape directly in half. Try putting an emergent plant on top of the stone, between the sand paths. That would help with the algae growing on that rock and tie it in with other rocks that have plants on them. A few pebbles in your sand paths would add visual interest.
— Nick Kinser
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