Aquarium aquascaping management articles.

CONSTRUCTING A 3-D ROCK BACKGROUND FOR YOUR AQUARIUM
by Donnie Ponder
Summary: Donnie creates a magnificent 3-D rock background for his aquarium. Photographs and explanation provided for every step in the process.

DIY BACKGROUND ALA "BACK TO NATURE" by Jay Luto
Summary: Jay uses styrofoam pink insulation, silicone, epoxy, food colouring, and a bit of sand to amazing effect.

ROCK AND WOOD IN AQUASCAPING by Robert Fenner
Summary: How to test for toxicity. Sources. Aesthetics of aquascaping.

TERRA COTTA IN A CICHLID TANK by Naga Siddarth
Summary: Terra cotta proves a useful substrate for territorial cichlids, though it should be cleaned in advance of use.

TIME TO BAMBOO THE AQUARIUM by Majid Ali
Summary: Like bogwood, bamboo shoots can be sealed with polyurethane, and connected with silicone sealer.

THE USE OF BOGWOOD IN AQUARIA by Majid Ali
Summary: Majid discusses the preparation and use of natural vs. polyurethane varnished wood, and recommends using some of each.

DRIFTWOOD DOS AND DON'TS by Tom Haupenthal
Summary: Tom answers some of the common questions that are asked about driftwood: curing it; brown water/tannin problems; types of suitable wood; sinking it.

PLASTIC PLANTS: THE LEAST COMMON FACTOR by Steve Coach
Summary: Steve finds that plastic plants cause less problems in his display tank than real ones, and the fish don't mind. For his thin substrate he modifies their bases so that he can "root" them for a natural appearance. Illustrated.

IMAGINATIVE IDEAS FOR YOUR AQUARIUM by Rajendra Kumar, G.G.
Summary: Raj was tired of seeing unimaginative bare or planted tanks, so he had the idea of siliconing gravel and rocks to the back glass of an aquarium.

FUN WITH SILICONE by Nischint Sohal
Summary: As a follow up to the above article, Nischint details how he makes portable sheets of gravel for aquarium use. He has other interesting ideas for crafting silicone.

TANK DECOR by Andy Gordon and Michelle Stuart
Summary: A description of the different substrates, woods, and decorations used in aquaria. Their advantages and disadvantages.

AQUASCAPING by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Some general principles of aquascaping, and a useful list of materials that may or may not be used in an aquarium, according to their toxicity.

THE TRANQUIL AQUARIUM by Grant Gussie
Summary: A prominently displayed aquarium with slowly, elegantly swimming fishes can do wonders for your state of mind. Grant suggests how to set one up.

AFRICAN CICHLIDS AND PLANTS by Terry Ranson
Summary:Terry needs colorful set-ups for the commercial aquariums he maintains (but this could be tried by anyone) - so he combines Lake Malawi cichlids with rainbow fish and plants.

A SHOW TANK IN THE HOME? by R.C. Mills
Summary: When setting up a display aquarium in the home, long term practicalities have to be borne in mind. Some of the techniques that make Aquarium Show tanks so beautiful may not be appropriate.

THE LARGE HOME AQUARIUM by Chris Persson
Summary: Chris has had various large tanks including a 9-foot-long 340 gallon aquarium that weighs two tons when filled! He gives ten steps for success when taking on such a challenge.

SETTING-UP A COMMUNITY TANK by Ananda Menon
Summary: Some useful tips from Ananda's long experience. Suitable fish species.

A LOW-TECH, LOW MAINTENANCE APPROACH TO MINI PLANTED TANKS by Marcus Ng
Summary: "A little green haven on one's desk." How to set up and stock a simple mini tank.

WATER BOWLS - AN AQUARIUM THAT FITS ANY PLACE by Ole Pedersen
Summary: Large decorative pots containing water plants are traditionally kept in homes in Southeast Asia. They are beautiful, easy to care for and allow plants to flower where they would not in a traditional aquarium. Illustrated.

TWO BIOTOPE AQUARIUMS: ASIA AND AFRICA by Robert Paul Hudson
Summary: A Southeast Asian backwater, and Zaire River Rapids: water, substrate, plants, fish, and landscaping suggestions for replicating these biotopes in the aquarium.

CREATING A NATURAL ZAIRE RIVER TANK by Dave Ball
Summary: A detailed article, with tips for both beginners and experts, on how to set up a natural tank for such fish as Congo tetras, butterfly fish, upside-down catfish, and kribs and other West African riverine cichlids.

LAKE VICTORIA AQUARIUMS - PART 1: THE INITIAL SET-UP by Dave Ball
Summary: The endemic fish of Lake Victoria are in danger due the introduction of Nile perch as a food fish. How to house and breed them, particularly Haplochromis and Synodontis.

LAKE VICTORIA - THE PROBLEM AND OPTIONS by Dave Ball
Summary: A supplementary article to the above: more details about the problems with Lake Victoria's native fish, and what the aquarist can do to help.

THE AMAZON BIOTOPE AQUARIUM by Andy Gordon and Michelle Stuart
Summary: How to set-up, stock and maintain an aquarium that replicates the Amazon watershed.

THE BRACKISH WATER AQUARIUM by Les Pearce
Summary: Setting up a brackish water aquarium. Salt. Osmosis. Water. Suitable plants and fish.

THE BRACKISH BIOTOPE AQUARIUM by Andy Gordon and Michelle Stuart
Summary: Aquarium conditions and a list of fish suitable for a brackish aquarium.