Some Stages of the Aquascaper

[HappyGuppy]

Here is an article Tom Barr linked to himself which I found useful:

http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200301/msg00097.html

As a former freshwater plant collector, and now a saltwater plant (macro) collector I can relate to some of these stages.  I'm sure that many of you could too.

[magnosis]

Interesting read !

I think I skipped over a few stages right off the bat

First time I started replacing plastic with real plants, it was with miniature tree made of java moss attached to driftwood (5. Technique-Freak / 9. Imitator)

Then I started buying more and more plants, mostly because I though they looked cool in the store. I would decide later what to do with them (3. Collectoritus)

Whatever would grow well would eventually end up all over the place. "Hey, if it works over here, it can work everywhere in my tank !" (7. The Micro-Grouper)

Gradually I removed plants that didn't do well, and focused on shaping and designing with more of those that did well. Less diversity, bigger groups. (4. Now I have to design something)

Now I'm slooooowly working on a DIY stand (8. The External Aquascaper) and when it's done, I'm re-scaping the entire tank in a much more elaborate fashion (6. The Sloper / 11. The Nature Aquarist)


Tom is right: "Many of these stages are interwoven, intermingled and interconnected."

For myself, it's all about experimentation and some form of imitation.  I spend a lot of time looking at a few tanks that I love, figure out what elements get my attention, and try to incorporate these ideas in my design.  I don't have the confidence and experience required to come up with a whole new idea of my own that is actually viable (I think I have about 40% success rate when introducing new plant species ) but there is just so much fun in learning and trying new things - especially when they work out in the end

[HappyGuppy]

You're right Magnosis, a lot of the stages are interwoven.  Plants are beautiful, quite addictive, and there is simply a ton of ways to enjoy them.  For years I have been a self-proclaimed "plant collector"; at one time I probably was probably among the top 5 people in Ottawa with plant diversity.  "Collectoritus" was, and sort of still is, my affliction.  Most of my tanks looked like a hodge podge of many things growing wild rather than beautifully aquascaped... though I did try to get creative in a few tanks with a few choice plants for aesthetics (stage #4).  Now I've moved over to the saltwater side (BTW, Tom Barr has also migrated to macroalgae planted tanks) and I find myself feeling that obsesive compulsive desire to amass macroalgae diversity as I have before.  Oh well, the cycle continues; same but different.

So now I've got a predominately coral/sponge tank, a macro grow out tank, and soon a macro artistic display tank.  Plants, and now seaweeds, are just so addictive to me.  I find myself looking at them for hours, more than the fish itself.

As an aside, I'm glad now that spring is finally here.  I've been looking at the mud in my backyard envisioning the garden that will soon be sprouting.  I think my aquariums have a slightly more importance during the winter... it's a way to enjoy nature while everything is covered in snow.  Ironically my gardens also suffer from "Collectoritus", though we enjoy eating veggies you simply can't buy in stores.  I love my unusual purple potatoes (among other things).  Mashed potatoes for kids look like someone artificially colored them grape color.  Anyhow, I am off on an irrelevant tangent.