#42: 38L Aquatic Garden Illusion aka Forest Edge

Kenneth Cheng Flushing, United States

Awards and Comments

First PlacePopular Choice
The fore ground is a bit
— Ole
This tank has matured beautifully since I first judged it in the ADA contest. I like it even better now! The aquarist has struck a nice balance between slow-growing "structural" plants that will help maintain the shape of the aquascape while still benefitting from the color an contrast some bright stem plants can bring.
— Karen
Wow! Is this really a 10 gallon tank? Excellent selection of plants and great arrangement. Who needs a big tank when you can do this?
— George
Nice looking tank with good healthy growth and a nice layout. As with some of the other entries I'd suggest removing the glosso and allowing the hairgrass to grow in a little better. Although this is picky I'd suggest interchanging the location of the petite nana and the java moss and allowing the moss to grow into the right corner. Very nice tank otherwise.
— Bailin

Aquascape Details

Dimensions 51 × 25 × 30 cm
Title Illusion aka Forest Edge
Volume 38L
Background Black plastic background
Lighting Two JBJ clamp on power compact 36 watts and 18 watts with 6500K on for 12 hours
Filtration 125 GPH Aquaclear powerhead w/ pre-filter floss
Plants Glossostigma elatinoides, Eleocharis parvulus, Micranthemum micranthemoides, Heteranthera zosteraefolia, Cryptocoryne wendtii, Ludwigia repens x arcuata, Vesicularia sp., Anubias petite nana, Microsorium pteropus windelov, Rotala indica, Rotala magenta and Sagittaria subulata narrow

Animals Hemigrammus erythrozonus, Otocinclus, Neocaridina deticulata and Caridina japonica.
Materials 30 lbs of Eco-complete Black Planted Substrate, 14" Malaysian driftwood and 1 piece of Petrified wood.
Additional Information DIY yeast 2 liter CO2 into the powerhead.
20% water change per week and no fertilization dosing.
My goal is to create a standard 10 gal. into a illusion of a much larger tank.
This 10 gallon received a 10th world ranking 2003 ADA and highest USA ranking ever in a ADA contest.

Website problems? contact showcase@aquatic-gardeners.org | privacy policy | terms of use