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February 2016
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Syndication

Ways to Fertilize Your Plants

In ScapeFu episode 55, Art starts a podcast series on the ways people fertilize aquarium plants today. It's a foundation podcast to be followed by deep dives into Estimative Index, Mineralized Soil, PPS and more.

Here's what you'll learn on this episode:

  1. Some history on the way people use to fertilize aquarium plants
  2. What you should do to figure out what method is best for you
  3. Substrate methods
  4. Substrate + Water Column methods
  5. Water Column methods
  6. Commercial solutions
  7. Nutrient Calculators

Some of the links mentioned in the show:

 

Direct download: ScapeFu055.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 12:21pm CET

Top 10 Reasons People Fail and How to Avoid Them

Today, it is relatively easy to have a healthy, beautiful aquarium. It’s within anybody’s reach if they take the time to do a little research and purchase the right equipment. However, in spite of all the available information out there, many beginners fail and, some, give up and quit.

In this episode, we share with you the top 10 reasons why people fail and we teach you how to avoid them. If you’re struggling with your planted aquarium, this is for you.

Links Mentioned

Housekeeping

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!

iOS ScapeFu App | Android ScapeFu App

 

You can always reach us at feedback@scapefu.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Are you on Facebook? Please LIKE the ScapeFu Page!

 

Use Twitter? Follow us @ScapeFu

 

Lastly, if you enjoy listening to our work on a weekly basis, please help us get the word out about the ScapeFu Podcast to others. Word of mouth promotion is the only way we advertise and we can't do it without you. Please bring up the ScapeFu Podcast to your friends, forum members and at club meetings.

Thank you so much for your support

*******

Direct download: ScapeFu054.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 9:01pm CET

In episode 53, JJ and Art divulge their love affair with certain aquascaping styles. It's a Valentines Day special episode.

This is a picture heavy episode so we encourage you to visit the episode post on ScapeFu when you can. There you will see examples of the beautiful aquascaping styles we are talking about.

Housekeeping

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!

iOS ScapeFu App | Android ScapeFu App

You can always reach us at feedback@scapefu.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Are you on Facebook? Please LIKE the ScapeFu Page!

Use Twitter? Follow us @ScapeFu

Lastly, if you enjoy listening to our work on a weekly basis, please help us get the word out about the ScapeFu Podcast to others. Word of mouth promotion is the only way we advertise and we can't do it without you. Please bring up the ScapeFu Podcast to your friends, forum members and at club meetings.

Thank you so much for your support

*******

Direct download: ScapeFu053.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 1:36pm CET

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.

Direct download: AskArt020.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 7:00am CET

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

Direct download: Scapefu002.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 12:55pm CET

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.

Direct download: Scapefu001.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 12:44pm CET

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.

Why would someone want to do a nano tank aquascape?

  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.

Challenges of a nano tank aquascape

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.

Tips and techniques for aquascaping a nano tank.

Choosing the right plants

  • 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

Choosing the right hardscape

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

Perspective and depth

  • 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

Fish choices for the nano Tank

  • 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

Equipment for the nano Tank

Lighting
Filtration
Fertilization
  • Commercial
  • Roll your own
Carbon dioxide

Examples of good nano tank aquascapes

Diego Sandoval - nano tank aquascaper

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:

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!

Housekeeping

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!

iOS ScapeFu App | Android ScapeFu App

You can always reach us at feedback@scapefu.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Are you on Facebook? Please LIKE the ScapeFu Page!

Use Twitter? Follow us @ScapeFu

*******  

Direct download: ScapeFu052.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 7:00am CET

Algae Prevention & Elimination - How We Do It | ScapeFu051

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:

Housekeeping

  • 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 feedback@scapefu.com

*******

Direct download: ScapeFu051.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 7:00am CET

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