Creative Document : A Nature Aquarium by Takashi Amano
Nature Aquarium is the layout style in the aquarium, creating a beautiful
underwater world of the tropical fish and aquatic plants. Takashi Amano
is an exponent of the Nature Aquarium, and he continues to propound new
layout styles. The Nature Aquarium is the aquatic plant layout taking in
the essence learned from the Mother Nature, and sometimes it is called "Amano
style", and its circle is expanding many countries around the world.
However, from his aquarium pictures, it is hard to imagine the layout production
process, many questions has been sent to ADA about the layout process. So
we take 90cm standard size aquarium as an example, and introduce the latest
layout technique step by step.
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slideshow below
Setting up a tank
The selection process of the aquarium tank is the first important process
for enjoying Nature Aquarium. CUBE GARDEN, which has high transparency and
clean joint part, without any frame is an optimal aquarium tank for creation
and appreciation of the Nature Aquarium layout. Special Stand or Aquarium
Cabinet is very important for enjoying the aquascape for a long period. Please
keep in mind that the aquarium setting must be made carefully, regardless
the aquarium tank size. If the floor or aquarium stand is not secure enough,
or do not have enough strength, it may lead to the water leakage from the
aquarium tank, or crack in the aquarium glass. Even if it looks OK initially,
distortion may progress as the time passes. Please make sure to choose the
right aquarium stand for your selected aquarium tank size. When placing the
aquarium tank on the stand, please pay attention not to hit the aquarium tank
corner to the aquarium stand.
SUBSTRATE Setting
The substrate of the Nature Aquarium is important for the growth of water
plants. Basically, you combine Power Sand and Aqua Soil. Power Sand contains
various organic materials and provides rich nutrition for water plants. Aqua
Soil promotes absorption of nutrition and growth of plant roots by organic
acid that soil naturally has. Recently, dressing sand, which can express natural
feeling, is used in the foreground of the layout, in order to increase the
art value. In case of using dressing sand in substrate, please make sure to
spread the sand neatly and not to mix up with other soil type substrate. Here,
we introduce an example with a 90cm aquarium tank how to spread Aqua Soil
and Bright Sand separately in a concave composition layout with an open space
in the center. Depending upon the composition of layout, the way of spreading
soil and sand differ. Work out the general layout plan in advance.
The Placing of the Stone
The choice and placement of the stone are the most important processes for
an IWAGUMI layout, therefore it is necessary to consider balance carefully.
In this layout, we use Seiryu-stone which has cold color for matching dressing
sand with sensation of coolness at foreground. As the substrate has been already
spread for making concave composition, we made an arrangement of rocks with
two groups in the mind. As the area of planting (background) is seperated
3:2 for left and right part, you need to adjust the balance of two groups
of IWAGUMI as 3:2 For this arrangement, you need to place main stone (left),
which is the largest one in a tank, at left side first. Then, decide main
stone (right), which is one size smaller at right side. Deciding the balance
of right and left main stones first is very important to decide the whole
layout balance. Then we arrange the sub stone and side stones.
The Planting
Once the base of the layout was completed, now is the time for aquatic plant
planting. In the Nature Aquarium layout, we divide planting ground into three
groups, foreground, middle ground, and background, and select proper plants
for each section. Generally, plant low water plants at the foreground and
high ones at the background. In the middle ground, we place layout material
such as driftwood and stones, and middle size plants around them. When selecting
the plants, you have to consider not only the color or shape of the leaf,
but also how much they grow, or whether sun plants or shade plants, in what
water condition plants suit. If you choose water plants not carefully, they
grow too much or they don't grow at all. It is important to expect grown water
plants when placing water plants.
Setting of the other tool and maintenance of the Nature Aquarium
The Nature Aquarium after finished planting becomes beautiful scenery with
grown water plants. Lighting, CO2 Supply, and filtration System are essential
tools for growing aquatic plants. Lighting is essential for plants, as they
can grow healthy by photosynthesis. And water plants cannot photosynthesize
if CO2 is missing even there is strong light. Moreover, water must be clean
for keeping fish in a tank. As mentioned, you need to utilize various tools
for making good environment. Changing water and pruning are also necessary
to keep beautiful layout. The scenery would be more beautiful with daily proper
maintenance.
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