造景：理论和实践
Always try to learn from beautifully decorated
aquariums. Search the strengths, try to discover cutting lines and try
to understand why some aquascapes looks nice or even phenomonal. Pay
particular attention to detail: there is a nice combination of
wood-stone-plant used? Once the base with the aid of the rules, then the
details are becoming increasingly important. Look at photo 6 in which
even the details are perfected.
• Photo 6: details are also important. 
The role of fish in an aquascape
In this article, the emphasis lays on design and not on fish or other
animals. In the so-called aquascapes fish are often seen as added value
to complement the aesthetic element (the beautifully decorated
aquarium). This does not mean that they would not be interesting and be
elected to the pure color, but a motley collection will be avoided. And
of course you can also turn it around and create beautiful aquascape for
your interesting fish or other animals!
Case study: winner AGA 2005
Theory is always fun, but the practice is the most important teacher. A
wonderful example is the development of the final winner of the
aquascaping contest of the Aquatic Gardeners Association (AGA) in 2005.
Especially since in the beginning it was just was an ordinary aquarium.
The following series of images shows chronological the development of
the aquarium.
1. The winner of the AGA in 2005, was initially not such a beautiful
aquarium. Simply, just an aquarium with some wood and stones. Note that a
(too) large piece of wood is used. Of course there were ideas to
organize it better, but we were still searching for the right pieces of
wood and stones. This shows that even professionals sometimes lack good
material and that they must make every effort to find the right pieces.
2. After finding the right stones and wood (in about 2 months!), it was
time to decorate the aquarium otherwise. Pay attention: the use of wood
and stones is not exaggerated. Thin branches and simple small stones
form the base.
3. It was decided to put the wood in the middle with a number of plants
around it, like an "island" aquascape. The stones are already placed.
4. Good plant growth.
5. The plants grow well, but something is missing. It was decided to
follow the basic rules (0.618) and put the wood with plants on the
strong lines. The so-called "island plants with wood" therefore shifted a
bit to the left.
6. In this photo you can clearly see that the rules are followed and the
'feeling' is better at this placement. Also note the height of plants:
following the cutting lines.
7. The aquarium matures further and decided to deviate slightly from the
rule to make the aquascape more interesting and unique. Theoretically
the green lotus should be kept lower indeed. But precisely this
deviation gives the aquascape just the little extra tension that makes
it a unique whole.
8. The aquarium is pruned and we are waiting for the final picture for
the AGA contest until the plants almost reached the water surface and
are full of color.
9. The aquarium is almost ready for the photo. For the final picture the
filter tubes (transparent left) will be removed temporarily.
10. Final result: photo used for the AGA 2005, front view.
