The ScapeFu Podcast

Today's question comes from Heather:

When do you trim leaves that are showing deficiency symptoms?

What is the proper way to trim plants?

______________________

If you'd like to leave a question for Art to answer on the Ask Art Podcast, please visit the Ask Art page for instructions.

Re-released of the long lost ScapeFu episode 2 with an interview with Ghazanfar Ghori.

This is the first episode of the ScapeFu Podcast. I'm re-releasing it as it has been lost to some of you since we migrated to our current host.

A nano tank can be alluring to a beginner. It's low cost entry point, the promise of easier maintenance, and it's ability to fit almost anywhere make the nano tank almost a no-brainer for beginners. After all, aren't we always taught to start small? It makes sense, right?

However, the reality is, nano tanks are not always easy. They bring some challenges. With less water volume, things happen quicker. Also, such a small footprint makes it difficult to aquascape.

Finally, finding the right plants, fish, hardscape and equipment for it can be difficult. In this episode, we share our thoughts on the pros and cons of nano tanks for aquascaping and give you tips and techniques that you can use if you choose to go the nano route.

1. It is cheaper given the smaller equipment needed and some equipment may not be needed at all
2. People are less intimidated with a smaller tank when they are beginning.
3. Your significant other may not approve a large tank when you're starting out. You need time to convince them that a bigger tank really is necessary.
4. There is a myth that nano tanks take less work than larger tanks.

Look at any aquascaping contest to see what work was the best in show and you will see that nano tanks are never represented.

1. It is very difficult to properly aquascape a nano tank given it small dimensions.
2. Given the small amount of water, things can go wrong very quickly.
3. Maintenance is necessary on a more frequent basis.
4. Finding plants, fish and equipment to fit the smaller size can be challenging.

• Mosses
• Anubias nana petite
• dwarf hairgrass Eleocharis acicularis
• Cyrptocoryne parva
• Hemianthus callitrichoides (HC)
• Pogostemon helferi
• Staurogyne sp. "repent"'
• Bucephalandra spec
• Marsilea hirsuta
• Marsilea crenata
• Eleocharis mini/pussila
• Eriocaulons

• Choose hardscape dominant or plant dominant not both (ryuboku)
• Don't forget detail work is still important in a nano

• Are you after a detailed view of a small space or looking to make the nano seem bigger?
• All elements must complement each other in terms of size, texture, color, etc.
• Depending on the size, the rule of thirds may not make the work look better.
• Keep it simple as complicated aquascapes tend to make the aquascape seem smaller

• ember tetra
• Dwarf pencilfish
• Scarlet badis (Dario dario)
• celestial pearl danio
• White could mountain minnow
• Killifish
• Solitary betta?
• Blue neon (p.simulans)
• Rasbora espei
• Corydoras pygmaeus
• Galaxy rasbora
• Borara spec

• AquaTop Nano Type-P LED light for Planted Tanks
• Fluval Nano Aqua Life and Plant Performance LED Lamp

• Do you even need one?
• Zoo med Nano 10 External Canister Filter
• Fluval Nano Aquarium Filter
• Finnex Pure-5 Power Aquarium Filter
• Eden 501 - very popular in Germany
• Dennerle ScapersFlow (HOB) - I really like this one. I hope they make it to the US soon!

• Commercial
• Roll your own

• Fluval Mini CO2 Supply Set
• Nano kit from Tropica Aquarium Plants
• Excel

Diego Sandoval is the master of the micro aquascaping. His works are amazingly small and amazingly beautiful.

The featured image at the top of this post is of one of Diego's magnificent miniature aquascapes. The work is entitled "Towards Destiny" as is a wonderful example of how proper scale can make a nano tank seem much larger than what it really is.

Please go visit Diego's site and marvel at his artistry. Tell him you heard about him in the ScapeFu Podcast. Some of the links mentioned in the episode:

• 180p livestream
• EAPLC 2015 nano top 10
• GAPLC 2014 nano
• AGA 2015 under 60 liters
• Diego Sandoval's Blog
• Miniscape contest – still running until February 15, 2016!!
• Green Leaf Aquariums' CO2 Regulator Manifold

Bonus question from George Farmer

‪George Farmer‪ - "What's the best way to minimise equipment on show in a nano tank? Some aquariums are so small that any equipment at all looks very distracting. ‪Keep up the great work, guys!" Thanks, George! Jurijs replied to George at the end of the episode but you're going to have to listen to it to find our what he said!

The best way to hear the ScapeFu Podcast and support the show is to download the ScapeFu App. As a bonus, you'll get the weekly Ask Art Podcast for free. Thank you for supporting our work!

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You can always reach us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

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In episode 51, Jurijs, JJ and Art share with you how they prevent and eliminate algae. If you've ever struggled with algae, you need to have a listen. And, it's Jurijs' birthday!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Can you win the battle over algae?
• Sterilizing techniques including "cooking"
• Best way to prevent algae
• Maintenance crew examples
• How we eliminate algae

Links mentioned in this episode:

• UK Aquascaping Experience
• ADA 180p Event on February 27, 2016
• Black Brush Algae (BBA) - How to Kill it | ScapeFu047
• Estimative Index Fertilization by Tom Barr
• Allelopathy
• The water stop that Jurijs uses
• Reverse Osmosis System used by Jurijs
• Twinstar interview with Dave Chow | ScapeFu020
• AlgaeFix Algae Control
• Aquatic Essentials - JJ and Gabriel's site

• Support the show and show your appreciation by downloading the ScapeFu App. It's the best way to listen to the show, get it before anyone else and also get the app-only Ask Art Podcast. iOS ScapeFu App | Android ScapeFu App
• We want to hear from you! Reach us at [email protected]

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In the 18th episode of the Ask Art Podcast, Gabriel asks about slowing down an aquascape to a nice idle. Also, a sneak peak at the 31 Days to Build a Better Aquascape Challenge 2016.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Golden equilibrium post on ScapeFu
• Send Art a question for the Ask Art Podcast

Thank you for being a loyal listener and supporter of the ScapeFu and Ask Art Podcasts. We hope you are getting value and entertainment from them.

Other ways to support our efforts:

• Tell other hobbyists about the ScapeFu App and Podcast
• Leave a review on iTunes
• Send us feedback

Celebrating our 50th episode! We talk about re-scaping your aquarium. Jurijs, JJ and Art share how they re-scape with pro tips for you.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Re-scaping is versus tweaking
• How to prepare to re-scape correctly and avoid problems/mistakes
• How you take apart an aquarium properly so that you can re-scape
• How best to implement your re-scape
• Tweaking for when you don't want a full reset

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Takashi Amano partial re-scaping video
• Jurijs' two in one layout - a good example of tweaking versus re-scaping
• The 1 Thing Amano Does that You Don't
• ScapeFu Dojo video
• How to Create a Beautiful (and growing) Wabikusa | ScapeFu026
• Aquatic Essentials - Need help installing or maintaining an aquascape? If you're in South Florida, JJ and team can help
• Show notes with pictures

The best way to support the show is by buying the ScapeFu app. As a free gift, you will get access to all of the Ask Art Podcasts - my weekly show where I answer one of your questions. You can download the app by going to your app store: iOS ScapeFu App | Android ScapeFu App

We want to hear from you! Send us an email: [email protected]

In episode 17 of the Ask Art Podcast, Art answers James' question on how to deal with BBA in some of his tanks.

If you want to send Art a question to be answered in the Ask Art Podcast, just go to AskArt.help.

In 2015, the third edition of the European Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (EAPLC) was held for the whole of Europe. In this episode, Jurijs and Art share with you a behind the scenes look at at the EAPLC from their perspectives as event organizer/judge (Jurijs) and independent judge (Art).

In ScapeFu episode #49, you will learn:

• The history of the EAPLC
• The 2015 judges (what a group!)
• How do judges go about scoring the works
• What's in store for the 2016 EAPLC

We discussed 5 Reasons to Join an Aquascaping Contest in the past.

The 2015 Judges Panel:

• ADA Japan (in deputy for Takashi Amano)
• Oliver Knott (Germany)
• Viktor Lantos (greenaqua Hungary)
• Ralf Gerlach (Tropica,Denmark)
• Dave Chow (China)
• Luca Galarraga (Brazil)
• Jurijs Jutjajevs (Germany) - Jurijs!
• Art Pennom (USA) - me!
• George Farmer (UK)
• Adam Paszczela (Poland)

The 2015 Organization Team:

• Boris Hildebrandt
• Jörg Buhlmann
• Jurijs Jutjajevs

The 2015 Sponsors:

• Aqua Design Amano
• Twinstar
• LUPYLED
• Flexi-M
• Tropica
• aquadeco
• Dähne Verlag (exclusive media partner)

Platz 1 – Frederic Fuss (Germany)

Platz 2 – Andre Franken (Germany)

Platz 3 – Peter Slacka (Slovakia)

Platz 4 – Albert Escrihuela (Spain)

Platz 5 – Pedro Rosa (Portugal)

Platz 6 – Roberto Bielli (Italy)

Platz 7 – Enrico Fortuna (Italy)

Platz 8 – Wilco Piest (Netherlands)

Platz 9 – Sascha Hoyer (Germany)

Platz 10 – Miguel Angel Garcia (Spain)

Platz 1 – Frederic Fuss (Germany)

Platz 2 – Vladimir Tomek (Czech Republic)

Platz 3 – Alexander Maletin (Russian Federation)

Platz 4 – Mikolaj Weterle (Poland)

Platz 5 – Andre Franken (Germany)

Platz 6 – Daniel Nagy (Hungary)

Platz 7 – David Barandiaran (France)

Platz 8 – Swee Lim Cheah (France)

Platz 9 – Lajos Nincsics (Hungary)

Platz 10 – Tamas Janos Danicska (Hungary)

Platz 2 – Ulrich Poupin (France)

Platz 3 – Annika Reinke und Marcel Runde (Germany)

Platz 4 – Julien Voultoury (France)

Platz 5 – Michael Reinke (France)

Platz 6 – Olivier Thebaud (France)

Platz 7 – Serkan Cetinkol (Turkey)

Platz 8 – Amparo Piera (Spain)

Platz 9 – Grigoriy Polishchuk (Ukraine)

Platz 10 – Vladimir Trcka (Czech Republic)

For pictures from the EAPLC, please go to the main ScapeFu049 show notes page.

Professional aquascaper, George Farmer, joins Art to talk about the UK Aquascaping Experience taking place the 5th day of March, 2016. If you will be in the UK in March, I would highly recommend that you make an effort to attend. It's free.

There will be 4 events:

• Hardscape Challenge with a £1,000 prize - Information on how to enter the hardscape challenge
• Aquascaping Demonstration
• Photography Workshop
• Aquascaping Seminar

Have a listen and let us know if you go.