1600 Gallon 5 meters long planted behemoth

[billy boy]

Dont think my 15 litre bucket would be much use when it comes around to it's weekly water change

 

[plantbrain]

Well, we are going to do a book on the tank and publish it. I am going to scape the tank again for a photo shoot and we will also do a video.

I am going to do Manzanita for the 450 Gal tank at the office, they make it out of glass and broke it 2x moving it
So it's coming the following week.

We have played around with lighting and LED's, the light is very interesting as it makes the front panel transparent, you think you can grab the fish, it's angled back at 30 degrees from the front. Interesting effect.

We will take a number of shots with different light set ups.

Should be fun.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Simon D]

That'll be one to watch out for!!

 

[Tony Swinney]

Tank looks fantastic, and the plans for it sound great - look forward to seeing the results.

Those must be some of the happiest captive discus in the world !!!

Tony

 

[andy]

Tank looks incredible...superb planting

BUT

Im going to be the first to say that those Discus look hiddeous and totally ruin the natural look of the tank. Even my wife just walked past the computer and said the fish looked fake.

Just my humble opinion

Andy

 

[plantbrain]

Your opinion and my own are well shared. They are garrish at best
But that's what this guy wanted. I prefer a massive school or cardinals, or Rummy's, a mix of Pencils, apistos, rare Plecos, Hatchets etc.

That also makes the tank look that much larger, and you watch these massive schools ball and expand through the tank.
But this is not my nickel and he pays me, not the other way around.
They get what they want, not what I want(which is the $).

He asked for contrast for their color, cool darker thick plants, that sets them off about as much as you can.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[aaronnorth]

have you got any pictures of the original hardscape?

 

[plantbrain]

Yes, but it got changed a lot.

You can see it is a whopper of a tank here.
We added some more wood on the back wall and wedged some more in here and there.

I know exactly how to secure wood for large displays or small ones now.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[aquaticmaniac]

Holy crap 'tis very impressive indeed.

 

[Thomas McMillan]

How long did it take you from start to finish to plant this up, Tom? It must've taken days! Also, how do you maintain a tank this size (e.g. perform maintenance, especially nearer the substrate)?

 

[George Farmer]

I still want to feature this in PFK....

The owner has preference for TFH......and they will scream if the pics and write up is from some other mag.

I like video, so I'll try and get some posted up sometime.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Fair enough. I note Jeff W is now a regular contributor.

 

[Fred Dulley]

Aye. Noticed that too...*bites tongue to keep self quiet*

 

[aaronnorth]

Thanks, i was interested to see how you got a wall of microsorum like you did as it looks very good.

 

[Dave Spencer]

I wish the owner had let you decide on the fish, Tom. For me it would have been based around wild caught Discus and/or Altums.

Did the owner have a great deal of say on plant choice, or is it largely your scape, Tom?

Dave.

 

[plantbrain]

Well, I spoke with the owner, we are going to make a book about the tank instead of an article.
So that's better.

I think the wild species would look better, but..........not my tank or me paying for it

I'm going to do another wood tank for this same client's office, a 450 Gal starfire glass tank.

See the CA plant's thread for the wood, that's about 1.5 meter long piece of wood in that thread.
Bigger than it looks.

Don't worry Fred and George, Karma is a good thing.

regards,
Tom Barr

 

[aaronnorth]

A book would be interesting. Not sure how much information there is too write about it though!? I would love to buy a book written by you on plants & fertilisation techniques etc Didnt realise the manzanita was that big, i have just ordered some for my tank too

What specie is the microsorum?

Thanks

 

[jay]

Cant remember rightly but wasnt this tank built in the Maxim magazine 21st century bachelor house or something?

 

[plantbrain]

Jay, yes, it was in Esquire.........360 degree home.

The guy is no bachelor, happily married with 3 kids for the last 20 years.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[jay]

Ha! Oops, bet the lady of the house wouldn't like that.

 

[JamesM]

http://www.esquirehouse360.com/