High-end aquaria

[Reggs]

Are people able is go hunting for their own rocks and wood for aquariums, or do they have to be processed in some way to make them safe for the inhabitants of the aquarium?

 

[bbaquiran]

The wood is usually driftwood. You can't just use regular old wood because it will leach tannins into the water and turn it brown (and lower the pH as well).

Rocks are usually safe.

 

[parham]

I've collected stones, rocks and other "natural things" for years, never quite knowing why. All of a sudden, they're in every catalog as home accessories.

That said, I agree with bbaquiran, most driftwood is safe after long periods of soaking. A lot of these rocks though are a special type of "seiryu" stones. Nobody knows what they are, but I'm sure you could find something similar in a local creek or from a rock distributor. Just don't use limestone, it won't be pretty.

 

[sygyzy]

Is ADA a brand name or a type of hobby/aquarium setup? Are all water plant aquariums called ADA?

 

[parham]

Originally Posted by sygyzy

Is ADA a brand name or a type of hobby/aquarium setup? Are all water plant aquariums called ADA?

ADA stands for "Aqua Design Amano," and most of their stuff is considered the bee's knees by aquageeks. Some say the quality isn't worth the price, but as far as glass goes they seem the best that we can get in the States. I'm guessing one could easily spend $1000 or more for a 10 gallon all-ADA setup, not including any plants or fish. The substrates, tools, filters etc can be substituted with cheaper alternatives, though I do want to try some of their Aquasoil 'powder'.

These tanks are known as nature aquaria or planted tanks, and there are different styles like "Dutch" and "El Natural" (soil-based). The Japanese versions tend to use zen-like hardscaping patterns borrowed from ikebana and bonsai terrestrial gardens. There are also paludariums and terrariums and vivariums. I'm looking to do a rimless tank setup for some poison dart frogs after the shrimp tanks get going.

Some links:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/

 

[SirSuturesALot]

Originally Posted by parham

I'm looking to do a rimless tank setup for some poison dart frogs after the shrimp tanks get going.

No kidding?

 

[Reggs]

I want to fill a tank with pistol shrimp, and feed them small herds of lesser shrimp.

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[DNW]

Originally Posted by Reggs

I want to fill a tank with pistol shrimp, and feed them small herds of lesser shrimp.

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That shrimp is seriously badass.

 

[lefty]

These guys do nice work:

http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com/

I used to breed Tangkanyikan cichlids way back when, but always loved a planted aquarium.

lefty

 

[parham]

Originally Posted by SirSuturesALot

No kidding?

No kidding. Minus the poison of course. They are harmless when they aren't fed their traditional diets. I like the colors.

 

[HomerJ]

Originally Posted by parham

I bought my supplies from Jeff down at ADG. Nice guy, very responsive and helpful, as are the internet forums. God bless the internet. Deal on a 45? Very nice. I've only got a Mini-S (UPS says it'll be delivered this morning) and two micro-nanos using glass containers from a home store. The 45 is next once I get the process down. I'd be interested in hearing your proposed setup. I'll be back to post some photos and pics of my setup.
The sites look frou frou. Any concerns about evaporation and heat build up in that small tank? The lighting requirement would be pretty hot.

 

[sygyzy]

Originally Posted by parham

No kidding. Minus the poison of course. They are harmless when they aren't fed their traditional diets. I like the colors.

What is their traditional diet? I didn't know they get their poison from their food.

 

[P. Bateman]

I stumbled into the ADA store in San Francisco yesterday. Amazing! Does anyone here still practice the hobby? I'm contemplating getting a small 30 cm setup on my desk.

 

[lefty]

^Where is this?

I'm contemplating bringing a few aquariums with me when I move there.

lefty

 

[P. Bateman]

Address: 1718 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115 Tel: 415-929-8883 http://www.adana-usa.com/index.php?main_page=afa_home Right by Japan town.