Unexpected
About This Aquascape
This scape was never possible as my wife and I encountered an extremely stubborn algae type lasting 12 months. This resulted in a substrate swap back to BDBS just 3 months ago. For the lack of better terms, this entry is a miracle. I can't thank my wife Tessie enough as she picked up the maintenance when I was debating about quitting the hobby.
- Filter
- Sump 180 Micron Socks filled with Polyfill Lava rock and Bio Balls
- CO2 System
- 50ppm Via 2xYugang reactors running in parallel
- Lighting
- 2x Netlea AT6 Pro
- Substrate
- Black Diamond Blasting sand
- Hardscape Materials
- None
- Background
- Black Acrylic
Species
11 Carnegiella Strigata 17 Trigonostigma Heteromorpha 14 Corydoras Sterbai (Albino) Unknown number of Physella acuta (bladder Snails)
Plant species
1. Heteranthera Zosterifolia, 2. Nymphoides Hydrophylla 'Taiwan', 3. Staurogyne Repens (Purple), 4. Micranthemum Umbrosom, 5. Blyxa Sp Red, 6. Hygrophila corymbosa 'Stricta', 7. Rotala Rotundifolia 'Singapore Blood Red' 8. Potamogeton Lucens, 9. Rotala Macrandra Yellow, 10. Limnophila Aquatica, 11. Hygrophila Corymbosa "Cherry Leaf", 12. Clinopodium cf. Brownei, 13. Hygrophila Angustifolia
Fertilization
Frontloading 30/10/40 NPK and the tank floats around 27/5-8/35 NPK. 50% water changes twice a week. Micros double dosed after each water change followed by 2 more single dose every other day. Each micro dose is .15ppm Fe as proxy. Ca 35ppm, Mg 10ppm and 0dKH.
Michael Miller
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Quick Stats
- Style
- Dutch
- Size
- 119x58x50 cm
- Volume
- 354 L (93.5 gal.)
- Plant Species
- 12
- Fish Species
- 4
Judges' Comments
The left side is a bit messy. 1. Heteranthera Zosterifolia could be a bit lower, so that 2. Nymphoides Hydrophylla 'Taiwan' wouldn't be hidden behind it. I would have preferred it if 2. Nymphoides Hydrophylla 'Taiwan' had touched the surface. Nice fish stock. 6. Hygrophila corymbosa 'Stricta' is quite central and could have sloped towards front glass.
— Bart Laurens
Now this is a good Dutch! One of my favorites in the competition. Big full groups, meticulous trimming, near perfect implementation of color and contrasting species. Good spacing between groups, and the use of negative space up front really adds to the depth and overall effect The contrast is so good because you have colors in front of greens, and greens in front of colors. Creating good contrast takes more than just different colors and leaf shapes. Placement is everything and this tank nails it. The only spot lacking is far left where Heteranthera sort of disappears in front of the Nymphoides. The difference in leaves somewhat pulls it off, but those two still visually blend together making one green "shape". Its a very small matter in this case however The main issue to me, really the only issue is there is no strong focal point in the correct 1/3 position. The Red Blyxa is playing the role but its too far to the left. Good job isolating that plant with whats around it. I like the street, and how the purple stauro is recessed a little behind it, accented by the negative space. Masterful strokes right there. Back to the focal, on the right the Yellow macrandra is in the right place, but it doesnt command enough attention to pull the eyes off the Blyxa. And the Hygro bush is a little too dead center. The negative space essentially pointing to it makes for a great effect, if only it wasnt happening right in the middle These are all small critiques on advanced concepts. This is a really good Dutch tank
— joe harvey
In my Top 3 and as such, will get more pointed criticism. At this level, the entrant is damn good. They have 'the eye' and know what they're doing. Among the best trimming work this year. That bush of Clinipodium is...chef's kiss. Great contrast in the middle two thirds of the tank with work needed on both ends. Your curtain plants are causing issues on both ends. The Heteranthera should have been trimmed to be less wide. Your Hygro-on-Hygro situation on the right is detracting. The Rotala Singapore could have been moved a couple of inches to the left to get away from the geometric center. Turn off CO2 on Photo Day. The photosynthetic fizz makes the water look dirty in pictures. Limno needed two more days to settle and grow - the topping was too recent. There is a force-fed EI-hurry look to the whole tank. A slightly lower-nutrient approach will make the tank look more relaxed.
— Vin Kutty
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