Out Now
I'm starting to feel a bit like Adele with these Tidy Jungle iterations. Slap the next number on the end and let's go! As each turn of the page comes, there's layover from the previous scape be it hardscape, plants, fish or even the tank itself. Although each one has been completely different from the last, I can't help feeling that they are simply evolutions of the same beast. So Tidy Jungle IV begins, albeit slightly bittersweet as it may very well be the last. The tide is shifting in the UK and so I'm seeking new adventures in Canada! I have less than a year from this moment to make the move so I thought why not really have some fun with this tank because I certainly won't have a 120P when I move. 😅
This time I'm really trying to put some of my recent enlightenments into practice - a lot of it things that I already knew but didn't understand the value or reasons why. The lightbulb has been pinging several times in the last month and so let's see how much got absorbed lol.
One of my goals for this scape was to have plenty of soil space to plant into. I like to try new plants and collect the ones I like, and there's nothing worse than when you simply run out of real estate! Another goal is to create a space where the fish are on display and not constantly hidden. Whilst I really enjoyed the 'archway' of the last scape, it meant that I hardly saw a lot of the fish and that's a shame. Don't get me wrong, I want them to feel safe and comfortable but the last scape often appeared heavily understocked even though it was the contrary. Lastly, I want it to be bold, striking, colourful and clearly expressed. I'll quite literally go back to my roots with the ol' faithful Manzanita wood and use several plant species in repetition for greater impact, something I've never really done before. I think it could be good.
Round, Round, Play Around, I Play Around
I started tinkering with the hardscape in my plug and play dojo, using new pieces and old pieces from Tidy Jungle II. I'm liking the hardscape so far but kept flip flopping on the plant choices so I just made a final list and ordered them. In the end I think I've settled on using the majority (if not all) of my current plants with a few extra species to fill out the areas that will now have exposed soil. The lilies might get moved on but I'll see how they look first. At the end of the day, an aquascape is working in unison with nature and will evolve over time and find its balance.
I will no doubt change my mind again but here's the current plant list:
Barclaya longifolia
Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Tiger'
Lagenandra keralensis
Nymphea zenkeri
Nymphea micrantha 'Gefleckt'
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Compact'
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green'
Cryptocoryne amicorum
Microsorum 'Needle leaf'
Microsorum pteropus 'Trident'
Bolbitis 'Mini'
Bacopa caroliniana 'Colorata'
Ludwigia Marilia
Ludwigia palustris 'Super red'
Ludwigia arcuata
Limnophila hippuroides
Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea'
Cryptocoryne 'Rosen maiden'
Cryptocoryne X Purpurea
Mixed Bucephalandra
Mixed Anubias
Microsorum 'Black forest'
Microsorum 'Orange'
Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov'
Microsorum mini (unidentified)
Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Mini'
Eriocaulon 'Vietnam'
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis '53B'
It sounds like a lot, but many of the species are performing the same function with a similar look, so you should only notice the details on closer inspection. This is also a combination of plants I've accumulated over time and either haven't killed or got bored of. Everyone and everything is coming together for the final battle like the Avengers. 🌱💪🏾
Tech Spec:
Tank: EA Aquascaper 1200
Filter: Oase Biomaster 850T + Fluval 307
Lights: 2 x Week Aqua A430 Pro
CO2: CO2 Art Regulator/Inline Diffuser, 5KG Fire Extinguisher, Intaqo pH Controller
Ferts: APT Zero/Complete
Misc: Oase CrystalSkim 350