#1305 Tectonic Memory
About This Aquascape
This aquascape is an interpretation of an ancient landscape shaped by geological forces over thousands of years. The layered rocks form rugged mountain ranges, gradually converging toward a narrow valley that disappears into the distance. I wanted to capture a moment in which time has transformed the landscape — where erosion has exposed the layers of the earth, while vegetation slowly reclaims the rocks. The composition is intended to convey a sense of age, depth, and continuity, as if we are looking at a small fragment of a landscape that has existed long before us.
- Filter
- 2x Sunsun 704A
- CO2 System
- I run CO₂ at nearly 35 bubbles per second, 24/7.
- Lighting
- 2x Chihiros WRGB 2
- Substrate
- ADA Aqua Soil
- Hardscape Materials
- Golden Sedimentary Rock
Species
* Black Neon Tetra — Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi * Nerite Snail — Neritina sp. * Amano Shrimp (Yamato Shrimp) — Caridina multidentata
Plant species
* Weeping Moss — Vesicularia ferriei * Flame Moss — Taxiphyllum sp. ‘Flame’ * Phoenix Moss (US Fiss) — Fissidens fontanus * Glosso — Glossostigma elatinoides * Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) — Hemianthus callitrichoides * Four Leaf Clover — Marsilea hirsuta * Dwarf Hairgrass — Eleocharis acicularis * Red Hairgrass — Eleocharis sp. ‘Mini Red’ * Pygmy Chain Sword — Helanthium tenellum * Green Rotala — Rotala rotundifolia ‘Green’ * Rotala H’ra — Rotala rotundifolia ‘H’ra’ * Hygrophila pinnatifida — Hygrophila pinnatifida * Orange Rotala — Rotala rotundifolia ‘Orange Juice’ * Giant Hairgrass — Eleocharis vivipara * Water Hedge — Hygrophila polysperma * Pearl Weed — Micranthemum micranthemoides
Fertilization
Fertilization: 6 times per week • Mon/Wed/Fri: NPK • Tue/Thu/Sat: Micronutrients + Iron Water Changes: 3 times per week, 70% each time.
Judges' Comments
This is a highly original aquascape, executed with remarkable skill. There was a considerable risk that the planting could overshadow the distinctive features and carefully arranged structure of the rocks, but you managed to enhance the hardscape, bringing out its character and making its details stand out beautifully.
— Gloria Ciriello
A monumental rock formation An impressive and dynamic work. The unusually arranged, flat stones set upright form a fascinating network of sweeping, interlocking structures, reminiscent of a rocky landscape shaped by water and time. Although the vanishing point is already positioned exceptionally high, I wonder whether an additional layer at the level of the fish might have enhanced the sense of depth and further accentuated the sweeping movement of the meandering rock formations. While I admire the originality and coherent visual language of the hardscape, I find the planting less convincing. The moss along the upper edges of the stones is an excellent choice, tracing their contours and highlighting the distinctive rock formations without obscuring their structure. Blyxa and H. pinnatifida, on the other hand, feel less naturally integrated into the overall composition, particularly as some specimens appear in only one isolated area. The algae growing over parts of the reddish stones also diminish their warm colouring. I would have liked to see at least some of the algae brushed away from the foreground stones to reveal more of their original hues. The intense magenta tones of Rotala H'ra in the background draw more attention than I would personally prefer. A more restrained palette, drawing on the orange and yellow hues of the rocks, might have created a more harmonious overall effect. I also wonder whether a school of Paracheirodon simulans, with their subtle blue iridescence, might have introduced a complementary colour accent. Despite these reservations, this is the most innovative and exciting work in this year's competition for me. It demonstrates the remarkable potential of an unconventional approach to hardscape design. While the final execution does not, in my view, fully realise that potential, this in no way diminishes the achievement behind the work. It earns my personal third place, and I am convinced that this modern approach will inspire many others and influence future designs. Thank you for this outstanding work, and congratulations!
— Frederic Fuß
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