Does a plant like this exist??

[Brent Shaver]

I might be dreaming but the one plant I would like to get for the tank would be something simular to a bonzi tree(sp?)

Or possibly something close that with time and trimming could look simular?

[TLe041]

No plant like that exists as far as I know.

You can always attach moss onto a branchy driftwood to replicate the look of a tree. Here's a fantastic example:



Instructions on how the person did it are in this thread: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/aquascaping/50939-pinheiro-manso.html

[Brent Shaver]

Thanks for that link, and WOW..

I have bookmarked this as I will have to try and create some version of the tree, it looks so natural which is my goal.

[magnosis]

That tree is so perfect I thought it was potoshop'd. And then I've seen other pics of it (and similar pieces) from planted tank contests. These guys are amazing !


I tried to grow somthing like this; I was more or less successful lucky (this is my first planted tank ever).


But when I see my 7-inch goldies swimming around a 10" tree, it doesn't look like a tree anymore  

[Brent Shaver]

Agree'd to create that will take some work, but whats an aquarium without work?

As for fish I am going to have a 75 gallon with approx 30 small fish, possibly neons or something colorful, but all the same type and a large school.  That part is a long way away so have time to choose the fish I would like to have.

And agree'd the effect could be lost once you see fish swimming around it..

[dan2x38]

I created a moss tree and it was a lot of work. Constantly had prune it. PLus since it is close to light prune to hair algae. I kept it for a year then sold it off. It did look cool though. Also remember a lot of the pictures are just after creation and take a ton of work to maintain. Some aren't maintain they just redo new setups.

[magnosis]

Do it 

I was just saying, imo, the smaller the fish = the more magnificent your tree will look.

I would love to trade my 3 goldfish for a whole lot of tiny fish, but I'm too attached to them

[Brent Shaver]

I know what you mean by closer to the light more prone to algea.  This is why I mentioned like a bonzai tree, small with multiple branches, at best this will be total half tank in hieght.

I am still debating on if I am going to go get some branches that are already formed close to what I want to accomplish, then I will coat them as me and driftwood = ALGEA, not sure why but boy can I get some long hairs going.

Also I was thinking of trying to have one more like a weeping willow that will give good shelter to any wee ones that arrive.

Again I am just in the planning stages as I wont be starting this till the fall, but want to have most of what I want picked and in the case of the tree idea have the wood prepared so it is a matter of growth over thought.

[TLe041]

I think one of the biggest difficulty will be in finding a realistic looking driftwood. Nothing I've seen in retail shops even look remotely suitable. You might have to start with a large one and attach smaller branches to it.

[dan2x38]

Manzanita Driftwood is very cool:

http://manzanitabranches.org/manzanita-aquarium-wood/

I had pieces looked like small trees. It needs to weighted down until it stays down. the stuff is around town Big Al's sells it now. You can also order it online from vancouver & Edmonton I have the link somewhere. We did a group order a couple years ago for an entire box. v ery cool looking wood and great for this type of thing.

[Brent Shaver]

Agree'd the Manzanita would work well for sure, but I have been doing some reading and I may even try a DIY tree.  This would allow me to have it look exactly like I am picturing it.  I have some more reading to do and will have to have it treated of course.

[magnosis]

Someone recently asked me about my own attempt at creating a 'Java Tree' like this.

I was more or less successful; obviously mine looked nowhere as clean and perfect as the one pictured in the OP 

Here it is, a humble log of my experimental Java Tree.
Apologies for the bad photography.


January 2010 - The beginning of a new 59g community tank.
I tie pieces of java moss the size of wine corks onto a piece of Manzanita driftwood, using cotton thread.
I put this in the tank, under 110W T5HO lights 8-10hrs/day, with CO2 (though this is really not necessary, just speeds things up)


February 2010 - The cotton thread melts before the moss has time to take hold.
I re-tie the moss with black fishing line.  Repeat this a dozen time over the next few weeks as my goldfish have fun ripping it apart.




April 2010 - I'm struggling with keeping the tank in good shape, but the moss is hardy and grows nonetheless.




June 2010 - It's starting to look like a tree.
I'm getting better at caring for the tank as a whole. I've switched most plastic plants for real ones.




July 2010 - Fighting with thread algae.
Not the first time, neither the last.




August 2010 - The fight is over.
At this point the tree gets a trim every second week in order to control its shape.
Sometimes I cut out big chunks and re-attach them where there are holes.




September 2010 - The end of this aquarium.
My goldfish is all dead.  I empty the tank, clean everything up, start over, without the java tree - I don't want to bleach it, yet I don't want the risk of bringing back nasties in the new tank.


January 2011.  The Java Tree keeps on living, immersed !
Amazing.  It survives (and grows, though slowly) at a stable 23 celcius / 40% humidity in the basement.




Viewed from under.  The black fishing line isn't that much visible from the side and once in the tank, I could still take it off.




So that's the story for now.  Once it gets warmer outside, I'll be able to finish my stand, move the tank to it's proper location, and build an entirely new aquascape, I'll try my best to find a spot for the tree, and post new shots of it.


Cheers.

[HappyGuppy]

Magnosis, you are awesome!  You went to a lot of effort to indulge my request for a photo of your tree.  It looks (looked?) great!  Thank you for being an inspiration!  I think I shall attempt one like yours soon, but first am going to make a simpler one for my son's small tank.  Thank you again!

[magnosis]

Well, you are most welcome

I enjoy this, after all I got a lot and a whole lot of help and support from the OVAS community, it's only fair to feed back when I can 

[Brent Shaver]

I just recently watched How its made which show cased creating a fake bonzi tree.  They used wire for the main form of the trunk.  The theory was spot on although wire isnt a tanks best friend so I was thinking of using something like weedeater cord and then use the cloth wrap for the trunk look.

I can coat the cloth to hold its form and then it is just getting the moss to take hold.

Thanks for sharing the pic, hopefully I will get some time in the near future to attempt this, will post pics as I go.

[magnosis]

More inspiration, brought to you by Mr. Zhenzong Su's "Shade of Groove"


http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2009.cgi?&op=showcase&category=0&vol=2&id=26

[Brent Shaver]

Thats pretty close for sure..  Thanks for posting it.

[Saltcreep]

I think one of the biggest difficulty will be in finding a realistic looking driftwood. Nothing I've seen in retail shops even look remotely suitable. You might have to start with a large one and attach smaller branches to it.

Agreed, it's sometimes difficult to find just the right piece, but they're out there. You have to be at the right place, at the right time. Picked up this showpiece at BA's a couple of years ago. It's a tree trunk and root, mounted up-side down. Would be the perfect platform to build a tree on. Hate to admit what I paid for it, although it is large, at least two feet across.

[magnosis]

Hate to admit what I paid for it

You don't say. I've spent way to much on pieces of driftwood just to find out later on that they're taking way too much space in my tank.  Another issue I find with big pieces is that it limits the ability to vacuum properly, especially if said piece has lots of roots, reducing the flow close to the substrate and making these areas prone to waste buildups.

[Dekker500]

Another good example with flora details from over at aquascapingworld. Includes build photos and progression. Rather interesting!