The 700 gal indoor sunken garden project

[NATURE AQUARIUM]

All I have to say, is when can I come fishing / swimming? LOL................
I love it, I wish I had a place & money to do a what you have done!!!

[Tex Gal]

What a wonderful adventure going through your pages once again. An incredible task. So well executed! I can't imagine this in a private setting!

[medicineman]

Just some moss/lichens growing at part of the backdrop.



Could have many more if only a constant misting system is used.

@Orlando,
Nope. Such is still quite rare around here.

Koi ponds, however (with artificial garden style walls) are more common to be found. But still such is still uncommon, as a good one cost a fortune and quite some space (proper one usually exceeding 3000g) to build on.

[Wingsdlc]

Could have many more if only a constant misting system is used.

Might have been a really good idea install the misters right into the wall.

[Orlando]

Well you guys sure know what your doing when it comes to these huge tank/ponds

[@marko@]

Originally Posted by medicineman

Just some moss/lichens growing at part of the backdrop.



Could have many more if only a constant misting system is used.

@Orlando,
Nope. Such is still quite rare around here.

Koi ponds, however (with artificial garden style walls) are more common to be found. But still such is still uncommon, as a good one cost a fortune and quite some space (proper one usually exceeding 3000g) to build on.

im guessing a manually spritz bottle wont work?
lol

it looks nice though. gives a very natural look.

[medicineman]

@@marko@,
That is what I have pathetically and almost meaninglessly tried.
Just too tiring and the effect is not enough when using manual spritz bottle. I have this garden 2 gallons hand-pump mister. Just not frequent enough, too troublesome.

But no to the fine mist ones. Enough humidity in the house already.

@Orlando,
Well, we learn from you folks and give it lots of guts to start one

Anyway, more update

The view from above on the density of terrestrial plants (mister/sprinkler with fertilizer would boost this even more).

[yikesjason]

I would imagine that humidity would be an issue will that system just the way it is. A fine mist system might make the house feel like a steam room.

What about an artificial rain system? That might be interesting. Set something up on a timer so you have a light rain shower in the morning. It could be kind of pleasant to hear and see.

[medicineman]

Yup, a coarse mist/sprinkler on very short timer would be great.
Maybe a future project, using dark colored small line to help camouflage.

I like the freshness whenever after they are watered, glittering and dripping with dew.

Full view. The overall growth is just nice.



Note how some of the climbing vines morphed into giant form.

[dewalltheway]

That is just incredible! WOW! I would park myself there all day and wouldn't get anything done. That is just inspirational! You have done an amazing job with the placement of the plants and how it all flows together. You have an amazing talent! Thanks for sharing!

[erinrobinjade]

Though I didn't read all 400 plus pages of posts I did look at all you photos (passing some on Via email to my dad so he can drool too) I have never EVER in all my years (which isn't much but hey) have I ever seen something that made me drool so badly. I have spent the last 30 mins with my mouth wide open drooling! I day dreamed about a 200 gal planted tank in my wall but You! You good sir have given me a dream! I know it'll be a dream that is 20 years or so away but none the less a dream that I will one day make come true! I bow to you! And thank you for showing off your amazing tank!
Erin

[FelixAvery]

this is my favorite thread in the whole forum!
looks amazing as always i sooo want one in my house!
do the fish not get any hassle from birds?

[medicineman]

Thanks for dropping in.

Again, it is good to hear that the setup could be enjoyed even though from pictures afar.

@FelixAvery,
Well, the setup is built inside of the house, protected from outside elements (with exception to filtered sunlight).
So there is no birds to pester the fish inside.


Making a setup is one thing. Having something built permanently as part of the house is another thing.

Short story update :
I've had enough of the old fish stock for they have always bothered the plants too much. From nibbled or pulled off leaves to unplanting smaller plants.

So reluctantly I'm forced to evict some of the most possible culprits :
- Bala shark : guilty for creating bottom mess and probable of plant nibbling behaviour (even towards slow growing and thick-leaved assorted echinodorus). They blow and sucks in gravel for food and making the tank murky twice a day (right away after feeding time, it does not matter if there is no food sinks down).
- Puntius denisonii : guilty for unplanting small plants and possible plant nibbling.
- Puntius johorensis : confirmed on act plant nibbler
- Some other fish, and left with angelfish, algae eater, CAE, corydoras in the tank.

So the list after I use fishing net (yes, cut, long fishing net as normal aquarium net or simple fish trap will not do) and create a mess out of the tank, I'm feeling quite glad.
The extreme measure result in improvements right away. Now I see much less leaves floats around and no more plantlets getting carried away. The water is also relatively much clearer due to less bio load and lack of bottom disturbance.

As replacement, I ordered some natural colored discus from a local discus breeder to match the wildness of tank. To my surprise, two of the discus (size 3.5-4") immediately formed a pair within two weeks of being introduced in the tank and they laid eggs on one of the giant echinodorus leaf. They refuse to gather during feeding time as usual and darken in colour, became aggressive towards trespasser.
Too bad my water seems to hard for the egg to form/hatch properly. Four days later they seems to abandon the nest (no more eggs observed) and come out to eagerly eat. I'm not totally clear if the egg does not hatch and eventually being eaten by the parents or they simply hatch and hide. I'm not too accustomed towards discus breeding behavior.

[lauraleellbp]

Congrats on the discus spawn and on figuring out which of your fish were the "nibblers"!

I think if you just leave them alone you're likely to end up with fry at some point- it's pretty common for them to have several initial failed attempts while they "figure things out."

Can't wait to see pics of the new discus!

[small-fish]

amazing tank