#153: 739.8L Paludarium The Roots Of Mother Nature

Abhineet Prakash Anand Delhi, India

Awards and Comments

Third Place
A visually striking display of both terrestrial and aquatic growth. The amassment of dense growth fills the viewer's perspective both when considering the emersed and submerged portions of this display which blend very well together through the usage of transitional mosses and aquatic species that flow down into the waters below.

Great work.
— Jack McCarley
I like this wild and natural looking tank. Something growing everywhere and a very natural transition from land to water! It is obvious that this is a well-established well-maintained tank. Well done!
— Karen Randall
You achieved such a natural look and feeling of balance between the land and water areas. Your plants look incredibly healthy overall and I love the pop of colour/ texture variation you've added in the top left. Your sense of depth could be improved in the underwater area by creating a stronger focal point though the wildness plays well to the overall composition.
— Alex Vella

Aquascape Details

Dimensions 137 × 60 × 90 cm
Title The Roots Of Mother Nature
Volume 739.8L
Background PU foam, Styrofoam, cocopeat, Miscellaneous Indian rocks
Lighting DIY lights
Filtration Overhead sump filter and Internal filters for circulation
Plants Alternanthera, Christmas moss, Java moss, Riccia fluitans, Vallisneria nana, Cryptocoryne wendtii green, Hemianthus Micranthemoides, Horn wort, Ficus pumila, Wandering Jew, Turtle vine, Maiden hair fern, Wrinkled leaf fern, Lucky bamboo, Tradescantia pallida, Staurogyne repens, Fern moss, Cryptanthus, golden pothos, Ludwigia repens, Syngonium pink, Hygrophilla difformis
Animals 20 white cloud mountain minnows, 6 neon tetras, 20 pandora blue grass guppy, 2 amano shrimps, malaysian trumpet snails
Materials Lawa rocks, River rocks, Indian driftwoods, River gravels
Additional Information This paludarium was created with the inspiration taken from the valleys of Uttrakhand in India and the theme is based on rainforest. The aquascape contains the flow of roots of different plants transforming from terrestrial area to aquatic area creating an aesthetic detailed view when seen in real life.
It was challenging to maintain this setup in its initial stage as the temperature in Delhi (India) in its peak summers goes from 113 degree fahrenheit to 120 degree fahrenheit. The upper (terrestrial) portion is completely based on hydroponics as no soil or growing medium is used. The setup contains two elevated cliffs, the larger one (main) on the left and the smaller one on right. It also contains a cave waterfall (not clearly noticeable from front view). This setup is now almost 36 months old which requires monthly maintenance. All the plants and fishes are living in harmony.

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