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Just my pet peeves. I'm using ChatGPT to check my grammar as I’m not an English native speaker, so sorry for any mistakes.

I don't really understand the concept of a biotope aquarium.

Why do people intentionally add leaves and wood to an aquarium and call it a biotope? And why do they think it's better for fish than a planted tank? Also, why are biotope aquariums almost always tannin stained?

I've noticed this many times in biotope competitions. When people create a biotope, they often say that there are no aquatic plants in the natural habitat. But surely other biological components, such as riparian plants, trees, algae, and microorganisms, count too, right? I'm pretty sure that an aquarium I've left outdoors, filled with rainwater, is more biologically mature than one where you intentionally try to recreate and calling it biotope.

Now, imagine seeing a clear karst stream with all its natural diversity. But when it comes to recreating that scene for a competition, you choose a section full of leaf litter and fallen wood and call it a karst stream biotope. I'm not saying it's inaccurate, but these streams can be very large and diverse, so why do people tend to focus on that one particular type of scene? What's that all about?

Why are you intentionally trying to make an aquarium look unpleasant when you're supposedly recreating a chalk or karst stream and calling it natural? I honestly have no idea. Because I'm pretty sure that a planted aquarium, despite not containing exclusively native species, is biologically closer to the actual habitat than what people often call a "biotope."

Anyone agree?

I’m looking to try and grow Hygro Chai in my plant farm tank and was looking to see if any of you all who have attempted this could share any lessons learned and/or sources of the plant.

Inspired by @gnatster 's Black Friday thread HERE. I'm curious what's on everyone's list this year. I need to come up with a list for the significant other aquarium or not. Not sure of much I want. I do want a small rectangle little tank to do a succulent garden and light like HERE, but I'm not sure which one to get. What are you asking for?

Santa came early this year with a new 75g tank. I've never owned a 4' tank ever been stuck on the normal 30" wide 29g and 20g's forever. I wanted the uns 90u 36x22x22 but 750.00 is nuts to me I don't have that much in all tanks and equip I own so went cheap route.
Saw the 75g at PetSmart the imagitarium brand for 150 on sale. Those cheapos have bad reviews on leaking and I believe it as I actually picked up a free leaky 75g imagitarium at petco last week and sold it for snake terrarium for 40.00. Went to petco they also have the 50% off sale on marineland and aqueon. The tank was 159.00 out the door. Got lucky the manager said take this set of new glass tops for free, were a return they cant sell it.I assume the made in USA marineland is a better tank than the other cheapos and I actually don't mind the black silicone.

Went to Lowes today for some wood 4- 2x4x8 and 2- 2x4x10 and sheet if 1/2 osb for top and bottom shelf and for extra strength. When I get done I'm sure it would hold a 300g tank. Will wrap the tank in either bead board wood paneling or 1/4" plywood with some nice moulding on corners. Def gotta make a lip to hide the bottom plastic rim as well so its not so ugly. probably build a hood to why not hide some rims! Just gotta build or find a pair of doors on something else I can steal and use for this stand. I don't plan on getting it setup for few weeks but want stand base 1/2 done now so I can try some diff dry scapes with wood and rocks in it. This will be replacing my 20long I was scaping in other journal its now a plant farm full of ludwigia and plants for sale.
Still not sure on the name on this tank, Whipple landing is where I took some pics I want to copy for the tank. Its feed by the great pee dee river here so name may change later.

Ive reorganized the order of my tanks so I can better keep track of them ie. Tank 2 moss tank is now tank 3. This helps in any confusion I had when tracking tanks they are in a sort of order now. Rather than taking time editing my old journal id rather create a new thread. Pics will be current (for the most part) as they are posted. I am not aquascaping. I am just farming.

• Nobody likes tossing healthy plant mass

• We grow super interesting plants here

• Everybody has extra tank / filter / heaters around they've been meaning to get around to building into a farm tank...

It's easy!

TRIMMERS

Next time you have a big trim planned, or have just done: post a pic here of the plants!

Include the

• species name
• date cut / uprooted
• expiration / you-will-toss after date
• your zip code

TAKERS

Check cost of FedEx /UPS to your own address, and send the trimmer a PM with the offer to pay shipping

Hi all,

I have an Vulkan CO₂ dual stage pressure regulator lying in a cabinet for 10+ years, after 3-4 years in service after purchased brand new. I think it would need servicing (replacement of internal seals and diaphragms if necessary / overhauling) before I would put it back in use? Does anyone know what requirements would be for servicing a regulator? And it it required to be done by professionals?

Anyone knows or done such service?

Cheers!

Since these are starting, here's a thread.

Starbond, the makers of Cyanocrylate Adhesives, has a few items on sale. Black Friday Starts Early 2026 | Starbond. I'm a fan of their Clog Prevention Stoppers. There are some sanding discs on sale for the woodworkers in the crowd too.

For those not aware, tomorrow is Waterbox Aquariums annual Blue Friday event. Their week long sales will go live (usually 15% off all tanks) and they give away mucho $$$$ in gift certificates during each of their live stream sessions throughout the day and have a $5000 gift certificate raffle at the end of the day. I'm not quite the fan I used to be as I've been a bit frustrated by the long shipping delays on some of their tanks and I think a few others here have dealt with the same, but the deals are still good and who doesn't like a chance to win free stuff?

Waterbox Aquariums Blue Friday

With our basement finally completed, I’m looking forward to moving my Waterbox Clear Mini 25 downstairs and, importantly, away from direct sunlight. That tank has gone through several iterations of algae, and I feel the direct sunlight has been a significant contributor.

With the Waterbox moving downstairs, I’ll now have an empty spot in the first floor that receives plenty of natural sunlight and is a tall space

Enter the Pondscape.

My inspiration is MJ's recent pondscape in his Big Shallow. His setup relies entirely on natural light, with no dedicated aquarium light. I’m planning something along the same lines, although I will be adding a light, for some control and for viewing the tank when there isn’t much natural light.

As with one of my previous journals, this is going to be an “as I build” journal rather than presenting a finished setup. I’d love to get everyone’s input as I make decisions and inevitably change my mind along the way.

My current thoughts​

Tank:
ADA 60F — 60 × 30 × 25 cm

I considered the FZONE shallow (60 × 36 × 18 cm), but ultimately decided on the ADA. MJ’s Big Shallow is 120 × 40 × 25 cm, and I liked retaining that 25 cm height while still having a relatively shallow tank. This would allow good amount of space for fish/underwater plants.

Stand options:

Archaea Modern-Nature Aquarium Cabinet
Fluval 60P stand — walnut​

Lighting Options:

Netlea - 6S- 635Z - 35Watts - Backet light
Fzone Axone 72W
Since i would have a open space on one side, i will likely just need the light on one side. Need something tall to support emersed growth.

Filter
Oase biomaster II 250
will likely use smaller lily pipes to allow gentle flow

Hardscape:
Still undecided.

I’m leaning toward a wood-dominant pond-bank/root structure, with some of the wood breaking the water surface. I’d like a substantial amount of negative space/open substrate rather than filling the entire 60F with hardscape and plants. Likely a triangular layout. Lava rocks as well.

Substrate:
Current thought is aqua soil in mesh bags capped with cosmetic sand. Rationale is so that there is no mess created if i decide to replant.
I see lot of pondscapes with base layer of compose or clay such as the one from Dennerle which we don't have in the US. Curious what others would suggest. Main goal is to have long term nutrition for plants but also allow replanting without causing a mess on the cosmetic sand cap.

Inhabitants:
A betta fish
Some corys
Amanos
Cherry shrimp
Snails

Plants:
This is probably where I have the most questions. Emersed growth selection need to take the low humidity into consideration (lot of cool options such as the P.decannensis flowering, Bolbitis, Java ferns emersed seem to go out the window)

The general idea is predominantly green, relatively low-tech plants with a transition from submerged → marginal → emersed growth.

Current plant list
Submerged -
Cryptocoryne, Blyxa, Anubias, Buce, trident Java fern, Bolbitis mini.

Submerged and Emersed (Marginal)
Hydrocotyle verticalatta
Maybe some Amazon swords - smaller variants
Initially thought of C.Helferi but reading @Naturescapes_Rocco post on this, seems like quite a difficult plant

Emersed
Still researching, not sure if this is needed and could just use the marginal plants.

Lots still to figure out. Suggestions, especially from anyone who has maintained a similar pondscape in a dry house are very welcome.