New Aquascape Build Tutorial featuring Ryan Noel

[Jeff Miotke]

Hey all,

I just dropped a brand-new video in my Experience Aquascaping series, and this one is really special. It’s a step-by-step guide inspired by my friend Ryan Noel, who brings a bold yet minimal style that really pops.

What makes this one unique is the story behind it — Ryan talks about how aquascaping is what helps bring the inside out of him, and you can really see that reflected in the style of the layout. It’s a simple concept, but it makes a huge impact.

And for those who love uncommon fish, our friend Dan Zmuda bred some incredible Apistogramma trifascia just for this scape. I share a bit about them in the video, too.

Check it out here:


Who should I collaborate with next?

 

[techman81]

Who should I collaborate with next?

The team from Green Aqua.

 

[Sb1415]

This was great video Jeff! Amazing cinematography and the music was spot on. I think this is more than aquascaping; i asked ChatGPT how you would call this and it's response "Here’s a creative fusion into a single word that captures aquascaping (visual artistry + nature), cinematography (motion, storytelling, framing), and music (emotion, rhythm, atmosphere): “Aquametry”
(from aqua + symphony/geometry/cinematography) → Suggests water-inspired art in motion, scored with music."

I have had emotions of peace, joy, darkness, tranquility and calmness or stillness come from aquascaping videos but this video hit on nostalgia which i think is quite special. Never heard of Ryan Noel before, but this was an amazing collaboration and he has such tranquility in his voice!

Who should I collaborate with next?

In regards to who to collaborate with, I think based on the nature/tranquility themed videos, i would think someone from ADA inspired tanks would be a great fit.

Since you also asked what kind of scape viewers would like to see in the future; i think a dutch scape would be nice. Tropictank although not a true dutchscaping channels has some amazing videos and did a dutchish scape with green aqua as well. I would be interested to see a video featuring a dutch scaper, along with your approach.

Thanks for making the video!

 

[techman81]

Love the rock you used, apparently hand collected by Tom Barr. Might have to see about getting some of that.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Love the rock you used, apparently hand collected by Tom Barr. Might have to see about getting some of that.

He used to harvest manzanita branches too idk if he does it anymore

 

[techman81]

He used to harvest manzanita branches too idk if he does it anymore

Yeah, I saw a video of that when I was looking up info on the rocks. They had a pickup bed full of it.

 

[Jeff Miotke]

The team from Green Aqua.

Now that would be epic to be invited there to do a master class!

 

[Jeff Miotke]

In regards to who to collaborate with, I think based on the nature/tranquility themed videos, i would think someone from ADA inspired tanks would be a great fit.

Since you also asked what kind of scape viewers would like to see in the future; i think a dutch scape would be nice. Tropictank although not a true dutchscaping channels has some amazing videos and did a dutchish scape with green aqua as well. I would be interested to see a video featuring a dutch scaper, along with your approach.

Thanks for making the video!

Wow—thank you for such a thoughtful response. It really means a lot that the video connected with you on a deeper level, especially evoking nostalgia. What a fun word Aquametry—what a beautiful way to capture the fusion of aquascaping, film, and music.

I’m so glad you enjoyed Ryan’s presence in the film—he really does bring a calm and grounding energy. I also appreciate your ideas for future directions. A Dutch-style scape would be an exciting challenge, and collaborating with someone in that space could make for a really unique project. I would probably have to do Dutch inspired vs strict as Im not a fan of the contest rules.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts—it’s comments like this that remind me why I love creating.

 

[Jeff Miotke]

Yeah, I saw a video of that when I was looking up info on the rocks. They had a pickup bed full of it.

Yep Tom Barr. You might have seen my video a while back of his truck loaded with Manzanita. I stayed with him for a week and we did a lot of collection of stone and wood that you saw in the video. He does sell it but usually by the pallet. Great stuff!

 

[techman81]

Now that would be epic to be invited there to do a master class!

I'll start the write-in campaign.

 

[techman81]

Yep Tom Barr. You might have seen my video a while back of his truck loaded with Manzanita. I stayed with him for a week and we did a lot of collection of stone and wood that you saw in the video. He does sell it but usually by the pallet. Great stuff!

It just dawned on me, this is the same stone you used in your "Step-By-Step" video which is the first of video of yours I watched, and you also used it in the Mountain Stream video. I'm guessing you do have a pallet of it . I did see that a shop in California sells it by the pound, as well as the Tom Barr driftwood. Apparently the stone is similar in weight and density to dragon stone?

 

[Jeff Miotke]

It just dawned on me, this is the same stone you used in your "Step-By-Step" video which is the first of video of yours I watched, and you also used it in the Mountain Stream video. I'm guessing you do have a pallet of it . I did see that a shop in California sells it by the pound, as well as the Tom Barr driftwood. Apparently the stone is similar in weight and density to dragon stone?

Yep a few of them used that set of stone. And I did get a pallet after visiting and helping Tom collect for a week. I wouldn’t compare it to ohko though. It is airy and light. He packs the stone on the bottom of the pallet and then loads wood on top. A few LFS do purchase from him and sell it at retail prices.

 

[techman81]

Yep a few of them used that set of stone. And I did get a pallet after visiting and helping Tom collect for a week. I wouldn’t compare it to ohko though. It is airy and light. He packs the stone on the bottom of the pallet and then loads wood on top. A few LFS do purchase from him and sell it at retail prices.

I liked the look of it so much in your videos, I went ahead and ordered 50 pounds late last night and it's already on its way.

 

[Pepere]

Just watched the video this morning.

Given the story of fishing tied up to a stick up, the thought entered my mind of crafting a high end detailed model of a Lincolnville Salmon Wherry to float on the surface with a few had carved oars crossed on the seats.

But thats because I am a former boatbuilder I suppose…



A bit of whimsy