An aquarium that is planted with aquatic plants and created for its beauty is widely known as “an aquatic plant layout”. Although Nature Aquarium is an aquatic plant layout in a broad sense, there are quite a few differences in terms of concept and techniques when compared to other aquatic plant layout methods. The first one is its profound relationship with nature as the word “Nature” indicates. One of the basic concepts of Nature Aquarium is “to learn from nature.” This has largely two meanings. One is to learn the beauty of nature and incorporate it into a layout. A countless number of beautiful landscapes exist in nature. A composition is created using rocks and driftwood in an aquarium, and a natural feel is produced with aquatic plants as if one of the landscapes was cut out of one of nature’ s most beautiful compositions. As a natural landscape changes with seasons, the aquascape in an aquarium also changes with the growth of aquatic plants. In Nature Aquarium, the layout also grows more beautiful as time passes and aquatic plants grow.
The Concept of the Ecosystem
Another thing that was learned from nature and incorporated into Nature Aquarium is the concept of the ecosystem. The ecosystem is an interrelation of plants, animals, and the environment that exists in nature. Energy flows and material cycles within the system. All living things are classified into producers, consumers, and decomposers in the concept of the ecosystem. These constituents correspond to aquatic plants, fish, and microorganisms in Nature Aquarium. The producers are the chlorophyta that photosynthesize, and mainly the aquatic plants correspond to this. Aquatic plants grow through photosynthesis and release oxygen in water. Fish and microorganisms use the oxygen for respiration. Consumers are generally animals that eat plants and other animals. Although mainly the fish correspond to this, food must be provided by their keepers. Decomposers are mainly the microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Microorganisms correspond to this in an aquarium as well. They maintain good water quality by decomposing fish waste and leftover food and provide nutrients to the aquatic plants. The environment of Nature Aquarium stabilizes when aquatic plants, fish, and microorganisms exist in good balance.
Nature Aquarium Maintenance
The scale of the environment of the natural ecosystem is big, and the types and the number of organisms are vast. In contrast, since Nature Aquarium is created in the limited size of an aquarium, there is a limit to the types and number of aquatic plants and fish that can be used. Therefore, the types of aquatic plants, their planting areas, the types and number of fish are very important elements for maintaining Nature Aquarium. Especially problematic is the emergence of algae. The algae that grow inside an aquarium, on the leaves of aquatic plants, or on the surface of driftwood and rocks are also commonly called moss. If an aquarium is covered up with algae, they are not only unsightly to see, but they can interfere with the growth of aquatic plants in the long run. In Nature Aquarium, aquatic plants are grown densely to take up excess nutrients in the water, and the number of fish is limited to an amount suitable for the size of the aquarium and the volume of aquatic plants to avoid this problem. In addition, algae eating organisms such as Yamato Numa Ebi and Siamese Flying Fox are added to the aquarium to maintain a beautiful layout without an algae outbreak. This is wisdom that was learned from nature to maintain Nature Aquarium.
Explanation of figure 01
The concept of ecosystem is incorporated into Nature Aquarium. The excrement of fish and shrimp is decomposed by microorganisms and taken up by aquatic plants as nutrients. Aquatic plants under light absorb CO2 that fish and microorganisms release and discharge oxygen in water through photosynthesis. Fish and microorganisms can live healthy with abundant oxygen in water. In Nature Aquarium, a symbiotic relationship exists among aquatic plants, fish, and microorganisms.
The Concept of a Layout
The first task for creating Nature Aquarium is to think about the concept of a layout. Although this may seem like an obvious thing, since substrate setting method and the type of lighting vary depending on the type of layout, the concept has to be clearly defined in the initial stage on occasion. For example, one must decide whether rocks or driftwood are used as the main composition materials, or if it is going to be an open top aquarium from which the tips of driftwood would be protruding in the case of using driftwood. For an open top aquarium, a pendant type lighting system will be required. The choice of substrate materials and the way the substrate is constructed depend on whether an aquatic plant or cosmetic sand is used in the foreground. Although it is not necessary to decide on which aquatic plants to use from the start, it is important to spend a sufficient amount of time in the conceptual stage since it is difficult to change the foundation and framework of a layout later. We recommend that you examine the concept of your layout fully using our previous works and data as reference especially if you are trying to produce a Nature Aquarium layout for the first time.
The selection of an aquarium
The selection of an aquarium is essential to Nature Aquarium. An aquarium comes in various sizes and designs. The main aquarium materials are glass and acrylic. A glass aquarium that retains high clarity over a long period of time is often used for Nature Aquarium. Although acrylic tanks offer flexibility in sizes, they are easily scratched and their clarity decreases over a long period of use. An aquarium with a simple design that does not have frames and edging that can block the view of a layout is suitable for Nature Aquarium, which places an importance on the expression of a natural feel. In addition, the size and the length-to-width ratio of an aquarium influence the type and composition of a layout as well. Generally speaking, it is easy to produce a layout for a 60cm or a 90cm aquarium since they are readily available sizes and their ratios render stability to a layout as well. 120cm and 180cm aquariums are suitable for wider Iwagumi layouts because of their panoramic ratios. In contrast, a tall aquarium is suitable for a powerful layout in which driftwood is arranged more three dimensionally.
The placement of an aquarium
Any aquarium can break or leak if it is not installed correctly. A sturdy flat surface that is free of irregularities or warping is needed to set up an aquarium safely. Aquarium stands such as Garden Stand and Wood Cabinet meet this condition. An aquarium should be placed on such an aquarium stand that is placed on a sturdy floor surface. The aquarium should be checked with a level to make sure it is level. If it is not level, the aquarium should be leveled using the adjuster on the stand or placing a piece of wooden veneer cut to an appropriate size between the stand and the floor. If a Garden Mat is placed between the aquarium stand and the aquarium, it compensates for any slight deformation and tilt and enables the aquarium to be used more safely. Even if an aquarium is small, it must not be placed on a steel rack, a storage cabinet, or ordinary furniture. Since they are not designed to hold an aquarium, they may not be able to withstand the weight of the aquarium, or they may deform or twist due to insufficient strength and cause the aquarium to crack. not forget that an aquarium holds a few ten of kilograms to a few hundreds of kilograms of water in it.
Explanation of figure 02
When you set up an aquarium, the level of the aquarium should be checked using a level. The aquarium should be leveled again after putting water in it. The level of Garden Stand can be adjusted using the adjuster found on the stand. A Wood Cabinet should be shimmed by placing a few small pieces of veneer under the corners until the aquarium is level. It is also important to check the level of the aquarium after filling water into the tank.
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