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Thanks....the background is white card on the wall and lit with a head torch believe it or not. Mark

Cheers guys :oops: :D

Hi Jonesy, sorry for the late reply, been full of busy lately. I used Sera Siporax and shared it out on top of each tray with a layer of wool on the top one...no sponges etc to restrict flow. Hope this helps Mark

Wow, what a difference the blue background makes, pure Amano Mark and I love it :thumbup: Mark!

Amazing...David's a living legend. It's out on DVD/blue ray now...great christmas pressie :D Mark

Once again thanks all! blown away by the comments :oops: Thanks Barney...I planted it on the 21st September and things have went really well just made sure I kept on top of the water changes and tank maintainance. Many thanks Mark

This is my fave scape on here at the moment.......awesome mate :thumbup: Mark

Thank you all so much for the cool comments....very chuffed to say the least :D :oops: Yeah it was a compact although it took loads of practice and plenty of tips: The camera is a Canon PowerShot SD790IS settings were as follows: ISO 100 Exposure -1 WB Fluorescent NO FLASH using tripod with...

Re: 90x45x45 "LlÅ·n Peninsula" Love everything about this Stu! Awesome stuff I'm sure it'll look the biz when grown in...well done mate :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Mark!

Hi everyone :wave: This is my 60cm Iwagumi, my first "real" attempt at a planted tank. This sounds cheesy but I really couldn't of done this scape without all the great advice I've had right here at UKAPS....so thanks to everyone who has chipped in with there tips, advice etc, especially...

Coming from you that's a "huge" compliment cheers mate :thumbup:

Many, many thanks all I really do appreciate all these cool comments :D :oops: Cheers :thumbup: Mark

Cheers Viktor really appreciate that :thumbup: Seen your scape in last months PFK mag, very nice, very ADA. I'm going to try something similar for my next scape. Regards Mark

Thanks George, I'll give it a go, I'll never know if I never try! Can't wait to start, can't afford plants until after Christmas though! Mark

Thanks James, next time all of the equipment will come out and I'll take some more pics. It's nice to get positive feedback on the photography because there's some top notch tank shots on here!

Thanks Maurits....I nearly went for another variety but the first Iwagumi tank I seen was one of Amano's which was a "plain" of one species and I loved it. Next scape is going to be wood with 5 or 6 species. Cheers George, I can't believe how much I've learned since joining UKAPS photography...

Finally a pic I'm happy with :D I love the white background (clean and fresh looking). Thanks for the tips on ISO George :thumbup: Thanks for looking Mark

Hi everyone, I'm in the planning stages of my next setup and I would really like to try "cyperus helferi" as a backdrop. It will be a 60cm tank and the substrate will be the full ADA system (Aquasoil Amazonia, Powersand special, Tourmaline BC and Penac P&W) I have most of this left from my...

Appreciate the advice everyone, cheers :thumbup: I think the foundation is there and with a little tweaking here and there I should, hopefully be happy with it. I'll change the angles and heights with the help of the substrate and add another piece (I agree with the odd numbers) so it'll be...

Well just a did big maintenance session, cleaned the filter etc and couldn't believe what i did. I managed to smash my inlet £65 (lucky I had a cheaper replacement) and ADA thermometer £18, what a total nugget :( Mark

Thanks Andy! Yep starting all over again probably early next year though, get christmas over with and rescape. I thought I'd keep the iwagumi for about a year but I'm itching to rescape already. Cheers Mark

OK everyone I got another couple of pieces and had a bit practice with the wood again. I kept in mind some of the advice given here and I think this pic/scape looks alot better. Still needs some tweaking here and there which I think will be easier once in the tank when I can use the substrate...

Appreciate that....thanks! Thanks george! Just checked my camera and I can take the ISO down to 80 so I'll try it at 80/100 see what they come out like. I'll ask santa but he usually brings me the usual, Calvin Klein's and socks :lol: Cheers Mark!

I hope I'm not boring every one to death with this scape but I was dying to see what it would look like without the equipment in the tank and I wanted to try the old hairdryer trick.....looks pretty cool I think 8) still can't get a nice clean photo, frustrating :evil: Cheers Mark

Well done to all UK and UKAPS entries especially George, "Biotope domination" :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: Haven't had a chance to have a good look through but what I've seen look very impressive. GO UK!! Mark

Thanks guys that's exactly what I needed. I think I was trying to hard to get some of the wood sitting on what will be the substrate but it does look unnatural after reading what you guys have said and having a closer look. I think wood is a hell of a lot tougher than iwagumi but I won't stop...

Hi there, Although I won't be rescaping until early next year I recieved my ADA black wood from TGM and had to have a mess around with some ideas. (PIC BELOW) Wood is still new to me so I would be very grateful of some critique from some of the "wood gurus" out there. The plan: 60cm opti...

Bloody lovely George, the vid looks great, clean and crisp and the fish look lovely. Mark

I've seen this scape before very nice. It's a lovely plant and It'll look great as a backdrop although the care of the plant marked as DIFFICULT on the Tropica website scares me a little :? ....cheers George! Mark

Thanks Viktor, I see what you mean, looks great but very dense very quick and mines only a 60cm! Yeah I love the look of Cyperus helferi George but I'll be using liquid carbon only, do you think it'll be OK still? The substrate will be the same as my Iwagumi (Serenity Peak), I still have loads...

Thanks George, probably won't bother with the sand then. You've got me a bit weary about the Vallis now Viktor :?

Hi everyone, I'm in the planning stages of my next scape and I have a question with regards to the substrate. I'm going to have a bright sand foreground and I'll be using ADA Amazonia in the back but I won't be completely covering the back with plants (I'm after a Vallis nana curtain effect 3...

Hi Jason, Awesome journal so far. I'll definately be following this one :thumbup: Strange I was just watching the AGA 2008 dvd last night and saw you in action on the "iron scape" competition (Mr Amano as one of the judges, there wasn't much pressure there then :lol: ) regards Mark

Good stuff, cheers Mark :thumbup:

Hi Mark, I've probably missed it somewhere in your journal but just wanted to ask what moss you used? Like yourself I'm really into ADA and Amano's work and he tends to use willow moss but I understand it's a bit more difficult to grow/keep. Do you think good old java moss will still give...

Cheers Adam. It's just a Canon Ixus compact, I've been messing with the settings ISO, exposure etc but can't sem to get a decent pic that does the scape justice. Thanks Mark

That's a really cool thing to say Mark, thanks mate :thumbup: Mark

Re: 90x45x45 has arrived! Cheers Stu! Hardscape looks great, love the main stone :thumbup: Mark

Cheers Andy, really appreciate it!! :thumbup:

Re: 90x45x45 has arrived! Hardwear is awesome Stu, I still love my 60cm/tank from Aquariums Ltd. The light setup just sets the whole thing off :thumbup: can't wait to see this one scaped! Mark

Cheers Mark Cheers Vito. The tank is still going great, plants still growing, no livestock lost, I'll post some more pics when I get the chance. I'm going to rescape around March...I've just ordered some ADA iron wood, ADA nile sand and I'm going to have a go at a wood scape with slower...

Hi all! I've just been on AG, Aquascape gallery website and couldn't believe what I saw........I won the competition. I know there wasn't many entries but still, I'm over the moon and chuffed to bits. Thanks judges :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Tempting but I don't think I could keep two going, what with work, writing, recording and gigging with me band, looking after the little one, another one on the way.....the list goes on and on, I don't know how some of you guys have so many scapes going, hats off to you's. I'll rescape in the...

Looking good Andy....it'll look awesome when grown in.......I'm bloody itching to rescape mine now (already been sketching some ideas) Very well done mate :thumbup: Mark

Looking good Andy :thumbup: really looking forward to seeing it planted. Mark!

Re: Saintly's 120cm private scape This scape blows me away Mark.......you must be chuffed to bits :thumbup: I bet your wishing it was in your house now! Mark!

Cracking stuff being in a band, I love it! Mark

Re: Saintly's 120cm private scape Mark, it looks bloody awesome and I'm sure it'll get better and better every day Keep the pics flowing Mark :thumbup:

Me doing my other hobby :D ......if you like your "metal" check us out if you want......www.myspace.com/stomp66 Please don't laugh too much :lol: Mark

Re: Saintly's 120cm private scape Honestly can't wait to see this one, if it turns out like your plan it's going to look tremendous, good luck with the planting! Mark

I got me one of those to, very stylish :D I love ADA just wished they were a bit cheaper! Looking forward to your next scape Andy Mark

I honestly can't believe the comments I'm reading here......Thanks so much everyone :thumbup: Cheers mate, really appreciate it. I did a 50% water change every day for the first 3 weeks and I'm now doing at least 1 ideally 2 a week. The lights are on for 7hours (2x24W). ADA products are...

Thanks Victor, can't believe some of the comments I've had....I'm chuffed to bits :oops: Many thanks Mark

Thanks all, I've cut down on the food (only a very small amount twice daily) I cleaned the filter and I'll do the 50% water changes twice a week, I've also ponted the Korali more towards the surface causing a nice ripple. So far it's looking good, not completely gone but getting better...

Re: Andyh's 35l Nano scape (name to be confirmed) I'm excited for you Andy...pressures on eh! I'm sure you'll do a great job and I'll be watching your journal, your "kitchen tank" is a brilliant journal. I'll be trying the wood next time (won't be for a while though, i'll be using the same...

Cheers Andy, I'll definately be getting some pro pics done if alls well in a couple of months. Cheers Stu, that's what I was aiming for! Thanks Stu appreciate the cool comment. They're actually Green neons (just like mini cardinals) gorgeous little fish....Laura Ashley wallpaper chosen by...

Wow guys...cheers....I'm sitting here with a massive grin on my face :oops: :D It's great to get such great feedback especially from the people who have inspired me so much since getting into aquascaping and discovering UKAPS (which is one amazing forum with some very cool characters who have...

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi (Fish pics 22/10/09) UPDATE:05/11/09 Week 7 Well it's week 7 and I went a bit mad with the camera so I thought I'd post the pics, it'll be the last pics on the journal....I was thinking of getting it photographed properly when it's around 6 months old...

Re: A different Iwagumi! Stunning George :thumbup: It looks like you've polished the glass, glasswear, stones, water and even the fish...how do you get your tanks to look so immaculate? :? Another cracking scape to your cracking collecion...looking forward to your ADA style Iwagumi! Mark

Hi everyone, I'm having a real problem with surface scum (White/greyish). It's a 60cm Iwagumi (Serenity Peak Journal) planted with hairgrass, Tetratec EX700 & Hydor Koreli nano 900lph for filtration/flow, I dose daily with 3ml Easycarbo(I've got a feeling this is the problem) - no CO2...

Hi Andy, It's getting better and better every pic, well done mate :thumbup: It is ADA Green Gain which helps strengthen the plants after trimming. Looking forward to your next project. Mark

Re: Tonsers 200L Optiwhite Hi Tony! I've commented on this scape through TGM but I've just read through your journal and I have to say it's the best journal on here and there's some cracking ones to choose from. The scape, the planting, the photography...all amazing...your one gifted fella...

Hi Ewan, Congratulations on a great looking site :thumbup: it's obvious to see the thought and hard work you've put in. Already added mine and I'll replace the pics once the scape matures. Cheers Mark

Very nice, I want one! Looks great with the great scape! Mark

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi (Fish pics 22/10/09) Yep gorgeous looking fish, the pics don't do them justice....they have a green reflection off the surface aswell, looks great! Mark

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi (Fish pics 22/10/09) I spent a fair bit on the hairgrass, in total 18 pots (I wanted to get as much plant bio-mass as poss from the off), Tropica from TGM (Looking back I could of did it with less if I was patient enough to split the plants a bit more)...

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi (Fish pics 22/10/09) Thanks really appreciate that :oops: I used black card and wedged it against the tank using sponge tubing so it's easy to change backgrounds. Cheers Mark

Cheers Andy....much appreciated :thumbup: Mark

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi (Fish pics 22/10/09) It's now week 5, just added the Green Neons which i love, and things still going surprisingly well :D Also purchased the ADA thermometer, very nice! Some more pics, thanks for looking (Excuse the dirty glasswear, cleaning on...

Most of them scapes are amazing....green neons are popular this year and that's what I've just decided to stock with (lovely fish) Inspiring stuff I want a new tank :lol: Mark

Number 2 - Very nice :thumbup: Mark

Hi Andy, The scape is looking awesome mate, you must be well chuffed :thumbup: just a quick one if you don't mind. I'm five weeks into my set up (Serenity Peak Journal) and everything is going great apart from irritating surface scum. I'm going to start dosing the Brighty step 1 soon, so...

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi UPDATE 12/10/09 Yep just recieved them and their gorgeous fish (all tiny young ones). I've had fish from them in the past and they've always been top quality and all my amano shrimp are from there to, I've had 20 for just over a year and haven't lost...

Re: Let the journal begin! I dosed just after W/C in the morning so it was roughly 24hrs between W/C and dosing (3ml Brighty K and 3ml Easy carbo at the minute) Mark

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi UPDATE 12/10/09 Cheers Vito! I couldn't get hold of any myself but I've ordered mine from Trimar Aquaria, they're really good mate! Cheers Mark!

Re: Let the journal begin! Don't know how I missed this but the hardscape looks amazing, can't wait to see it planted. I was a little unsure about using the one plant (hairgrass in my case) but now it's growing in I really like the look of it. Mine is 4 weeks old now and I've had no major...

Cheers Paul, appreciate the advice mate :thumbup: Mark

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi UPDATE 12/10/09 :( Just found one of my otos on the carpet, it must of jumped when I was doing the water change......gutted! I've lowered the water level just to be on the safe side. Ordered my fish which come on Tuesday :D ....I've went for Green neons...

Thanks everyone! So I'll clean all the media in tank water. Do you's empty the canister and refill with tank water? Mark

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi UPDATE 12/10/09 Nope that's the white balance setting on my camera (still not to good with a camera) The rocks are grey (ADA seiryu stone from The Green Machine) Thanks Mark

Great shots George, the clarity of your pics is amazing, the fish look like are floating in mid air, where's the water :lol: Top Notch!! Mark

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi UPDATE 12/10/09 :oops: Thanks very much, that really means alot! George: as much as I want to try something new I'm going to enjoy this one for as long as poss', I only have the one tank so I'll have to wait to do my next scape. Once again thank you...

Hi there, I feel really stupid asking this question but here I go: I have a Tetratec EX700 (it's the first external I've had), I'll be cleaning the filter every 4 weeks, do I dip/clean the media (Sera Siporax) in a bucket of tank water every time and do I empty the water in the canister and...

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi UPDATE 12/10/09 Thank's for the kind words, it took me a while to convince "the boss" but I bugged her til' she give in. Mark Cheers Andy, I was starting to get a bit amongst the hairgrass but the shrimp and oto's took care of that...the main algae...

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi UPDATE 12/10/09 Thanks for taking the time to comment. I do respect your opinion but I prefer my layout, I guess it just boils down to personal taste. Thanks Mark

Hi everyone, My tank has been planted with hairgrass (E.Parvula) for nearly 4 weeks, I trimmed it to around an inch tall before planting and it is growing and spreading nicely. I don't want to trim for trimming sake and was wondering when would be the best time for the next trim and how often...

Re: "Serenity Peak" Mark's 60cm Iwagumi UPDATE 12/10/09 Thanks for the cool comments guy's :oops: Yep I'm starting to feel that way already, I've been checking out a load of scapes using wood (I love George's English Summer) and that's what I'll have a crack at next.....in time though, i'll...

Thanks for all the replies everyone, I've decided to go with the green neons, I think they'll suit my scape the best. cheers Mark

Re: Saintly's 120cm private scape Hardscape looks great, looking forward to this one :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Mark

UPDATE: 12/10/09 Well it's day 24 since planting and things are going great :D Plants are growing in nicely and they're pearling which is a first for me (god bless Easycarbo) :thumbup: I've added the clean up crew (oto's and Amano Shrimp and they're doing fine to) Here's some pics (excuse...

Well deserved George :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Mark

Hi there, Nearly ready for stocking and I can't decide between embers, green neons and I love cardinals but I think they may look too big in a 60cm Iwagumi. What are the green neons like does anyone have any? Thanks in advance Mark "Serenity Peak" Journal viewtopic.php?f=35&t=7750#p85503

Re: Mark's 60cm Iwagumi (NEW PICS ADDED 01/10/09)) Thanks Nico :oops: yep I love the main stone, I think it's definately worth trying to get a stone you really want rather than "make do" with what you've got. Cheers, the Amano shrimp I've just added are like little sheep, just fed them...

Re: Mark's 60cm Iwagumi (NEW PICS ADDED 01/10/09)) UPDATE:07/10/09 I'll be adding my Amano shrimp and oto's this weekend, nitrite and ammonia levels seem Ok. Do you think the hairgrass and bear Aquasoil will be Ok with the shrimp, they won't uproot the hairgrass will they? Also, I have some...

Re: Saintly's 120cm private scape Looks great Saintly and what a home :thumbup: , what you going to do/use for the background? Mark

Cheers for the replies everyone :thumbup: Mark

Nice one Saintly :lol: When do you think it'll be safe to add the critters. Mark!

Going off the advice given my ammonia readings with test kits might never read 0 if they aren't accurate so when will it be safe to introduce a clean up crew (oto's and Amano shrimp) My set up with ADA aquasoil and filter (new media) is now 16 days old and eveything is going well so far...

Hi there, Good to put faces to names. This is me and "my boy Shay" at Cyprus August 2009 Mark (South Shields, Tyne and Wear)

Cheers Ed, I'll make sure I'll do all the checks just to make sure....Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite and ph. Thanks Mark