favourite aquariums – Glass Boxes

Favourite aquariums: Aquaeden’s discus tank

I know very little about it and, whilst it is definitely in the ‘nature aquarium’ tradition rather than a representation of anything you might find whilst out walking in Brazil, I love this tank. It seems to be the work of Portugese LFS Aquaeden (http://aquaeden-shop.net/). The left side of this is what I have in mind for the second ‘zone’ of the long Middle Congo biotope tank I’m planning for my conservatory (more on this later), but with big emersed Anubias or other aroids instead of the Echinodorus and perhaps Crinum instead of the Vallis.

Favourite aquariums: Nanne de Vos’ Cameroon aquarium

A classic aquarium by Dutch aquarist Nanne de Vos. This massive 2100 litres (300 x 100 x 70 cm) tank was created in september 1997 to represent a bank of a small rivulet in the high plateau of Cameroon.

I love the sense of depth and the restraint in the design of both the hardscape and plants, which consist only of Anubias var. nana, normal Anubias barteri, a few African Lotus water lilies (Nymphaea sp.) and some floating plants.

The fish population is similarly restrained, particularly for such a large aquarium, consisting only of 5 Pelvicachromis taeniatus sp. moliwe (caught in wild) [2 male, rest female], 4 elephant nose fish, 2 Synodontis batesi, 13 african red eye tetras (Arnoldichthys spilopterus, presumably) and 60 Ladigesia roloffi.

Further detail of this tank can be found online at http://www.goddijn.com/aquarium/jnanne.htm

Favourite aquariums: Tom’s Bucket O’Mud

I’m not a massive fan of ‘nature aquariums’, but I am a huge fan of ‘natural aquariums’. For me the project known as ‘Bucket O’Mud’ by British aquarist Tom Black is one of the best on the web.

The shallow but wide tank gives an amazing sense of depth and, combined with the open top and emersed plant growth, leads you to experience the tank as a natural habitat – with hidden corners and depths to explore. The willingness to let the plants develop and find their own form and space in the tank also leads to a really natural feeling.

It has been extensively recorded, widely admired and highly influential on both the UKAPS and Seriously Fish forums (these are two of the best sites for serious freshwater fishkeepers and are well worth further exploration), and I would encourage you to make a cup of tea, settle in and read the full story on one or both of the following:

http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/toms-bucket-o-mud-the-end.14521/

http://www.seriouslyfish.com/forums/my-aquarium/toms-bucket-o-mud/

Favourite aquariums: Catfish and barbs from the Western Ghats of India

River habitats are probably the hardest habitat to replicate in the one aquarium. This design by B. Vergeheyen in Belgium is one of the best I’ve seen. The combination of big rocks and driftwood and the mixed shoal of silvery Sahaydria, Dawkinsia and Barilius barbs is great. Having a mammoth 270x90x70 cm tank also helps create a sense of scale. It is a loose biotope for Horabagrus catfish, but it would also make a fantastic home for a group of Etroplus canarensis.

You can see more on Planet Catfish or the creators YouTube page: