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.
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
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.
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.
