Prepping for AGA Aquascaping Contest: 40g Natural Riparium

[RipariumGuy]

I have never gone into a competition when it comes to aquariums. Wether it be fish, aquascaping or other wise. Well, that is going to change. I am going to enter this tank into the 2011 AGA Aquascaping contest. I highly, highly doubt that there is even a remote chance of winning. But, no guts, no glory right? So, here we go. I will the updating this as I make progress on getting this tank contest ready. I have a large to do list, but hopefully I can get it all done!

To-Do List

• Get more Vallisneria
• New light fixture
• More riparium plants
• New stand(?)
• Get plants to GROW
• Driftwood(?)

Current Equipment List

• SunSun HW-302 canister filter
• Hydor 200w inline heater
• Pool filter sand w/pea gravel mixed in
• Driftwood and river rock
• 24" single bulb T5HO
• Hydor Koralia Nano 420

Plants

• Vallisneria
• Echinodorus
• Acorus gramineus (riparium plant)
• Ruellia brittonia (riparium plant)

Please comment, subscribe and tell me what you think! PLEASE CRITIQUE!!!


DSCN2726 by ripariumguy, on Flickr


DSCN2720 by ripariumguy, on Flickr


DSCN2733 by ripariumguy, on Flickr

[Lil' Swimz$]

More plants besides swords.

[orchidman]

thats awesome jake! hope it all comes together nicely for ya. ya never know. maybe youll get a prize!

[RipariumGuy]

Originally Posted by Lil' Swimz$

More plants besides swords.

What would you suggest? I am thinking vals. Not sure though.

[RipariumGuy]

Originally Posted by orchidman

thats awesome jake! hope it all comes together nicely for ya. ya never know. maybe youll get a prize!

Thanks! I just wanna give it a shot. Best case scanario, I get some critiques from the judges!

[Lil' Swimz$]

Since it looks sorta low tech, java fern would be really neat in front of the rock line. And pillows of pruned moss would look really neat inbetween the rocks.

Great start though!

[orchidman]

ii say vals. they lay across the surface nicely with a current, and grow fast. watch the runners though. can get annoying. i would do some sketches with your intended layout, so we can visualize what you had in mind and help you that way.

[RipariumGuy]

Originally Posted by orchidman

ii say vals. they lay across the surface nicely with a current, and grow fast. watch the runners though. can get annoying. i would do some sketches with your intended layout, so we can visualize what you had in mind and help you that way.

Good idea. I'll get sketchin!

[orchidman]

dotn forget that arial views are helpful!

[RipariumGuy]

Originally Posted by Lil' Swimz$

Since it looks sorta low tech, java fern would be really neat in front of the rock line. And pillows of pruned moss would look really neat inbetween the rocks.

Great start though!

Hmmm.... I like the idea of adding some moss. Any idea what kind? Christmass? Java moss? I am going to try and stay away from java fern, mostly because I am attempting to keep this a semi-Mexican themed. Thanks though!

[RipariumGuy]

Originally Posted by orchidman

dotn forget that arial views are helpful!

Again! Good idea!

[orchidman]

:_)

[PinoyBoy]

Maybe some reds or purple, but nothing too strong. How about a crypt? Sorry, don't know what kind of crypt since each species seems to have different color morphs.

Are you also going to compete in the paludarium section?

[Da Plant Man]

Remember classic rules: Lines flowing in the same direction, rule of thirds, and scale.

Looks good, add a tad bit more red (maybe replace a sword with another sword with slight red tint?). Or maybe just a small crypt, just an accent. I do know that the judges for AGA don't like huge plants lists (If I were to enter, i'd lose). More pictures the better. Also remember that they like pristine looks. i.e. trim all old leaves week before pictures taken, edit out the background so no wall is showing. Look at some paintings by famous artisans, try to get a perspective from there. Aquascaping IS art. Just heck of a lot harder.

[RipariumGuy]

Originally Posted by PinoyBoy

Maybe some reds or purple, but nothing too strong. How about a crypt? Sorry, don't know what kind of crypt since each species seems to have different color morphs.

Are you also going to compete in the paludarium section?

Reds and purples eh? Hmmm.... Would a red rubin sword work? I am going to try and stay away from Cryptocornes, as they scream Asia, and I am trying to keep this a rather rough biotope. Though, I have always wanted to try them.

And yep! I am deffinately going to be adding more plants to the riparium section of the display. Plan to order some plants from and such from Riparium Supply within the next couple of months!

Originally Posted by Da Plant Man

Remember classic rules: Lines flowing in the same direction, rule of thirds, and scale.

Looks good, add a tad bit more red (maybe replace a sword with another sword with slight red tint?). Or maybe just a small crypt, just an accent. I do know that the judges for AGA don't like huge plants lists (If I were to enter, i'd lose). More pictures the better. Also remember that they like pristine looks. i.e. trim all old leaves week before pictures taken, edit out the background so no wall is showing. Look at some paintings by famous artisans, try to get a perspective from there. Aquascaping IS art. Just heck of a lot harder.

Any idea where I could read up on those classic rules? I have been researching different aquascaping techniques, but I can't find anything like that.

More red? Would maybe the addition of some redish rocks work? Or would the red be better in plant form per say. I am going to try and keep the number of species to about 3. The less, the more natural looking. Also, do you have any idea how to edit things like this? I'll have to do some reasearch...

Again, thanks for all the help guys!! I am getting a paycheck on Friday, so hopefully I have reffereed enough soccer games to get a new fixture!