George Farmer
ad aqua
You Tube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vti-8wVFq4
The tank
Me in rehersal
Dan Crawford, James Starr-Marshall and I recently set up a fully planted aquascape for Sky1s new UK TV show, Liza and Hueys Pet Nation.
The show celebrates the nations obsession with pets and a researcher spoke with me after Practical Fishkeepings recommendation regarding aquascaping.
I was interviewed on set next to our completed display aquarium by Liza Tarbuck and Huey Morgan (Fun Loving Criminals frontman), along with guest celebrity, Antony Worrall Thompson who is also a fishkeeper. I discussed the contrast in what we do as aquascaping compared to the typical ornamental aquarium filled with tacky décor, as well as the hardware aspects amongst other things.
The tank was Dan Crawfords brand new opti-white open-top 80x55x45(H)cm complete with overtank lighting and full glassware set-up, planted with almost 100 Tropica pots (including plants attached to décor). Unipac supplied the amazing piece of Sumatra wood, Petrified wood and substrate. Fish were ten adult Angelfish supplied by Wildwoods. The aquarium was set up on set in the BBCs Wood Lane studios; an awesome place to work in!
My biggest concern was ensuring the water was gin clear prior to filming, as we were on a tight schedule. Usually I let my tanks clear overnight at least prior to photographing but we only had a few hours!
We cleaned the coarse silica sand, Petrified wood and Sumatra wood thoroughly prior to installation to minimise clouding. We then filled the tank slowly using hose, colander and plastic sheet draped over the aquascape. We used two large external filters filled with mechanical media and ultra-fine floss. The water was brought to temperature quickly and the fish settled within minutes. The whole setting up and aquascaping process took just over two hours (although the prep work took months!)
Everyone involved with the show, including Liza and Huey, seemed really impressed by the finished set-up and at one point there was around 20 production staff around the tank admiring it. The producer herself found us and sang our praises which was a real buzz.
As mentioned, I was assisted by fellow keen aquascapers, Dan Crawford and James Starr-Marshall. We worked flawlessly as a team that allowed the full aquascape to be created in a relatively short time. James prepped the plants whilst Dan fitted all the aquarium equipment such as filters and CO2 gear. I set up the hardscape and substrate with some creative guidance from James and Dan and we all began planting into the wet substrate.
I had an idea of what the finish aquascape would look like but it exceeded my already high expectations. Creating a mature-looking aquascaping instantly is a challenge but made easier with high density planting and decent hardscape.
The aquascape feature only lasted a few minutes during the actual broadcast but I hope it inspires and creates as much interest as it did during filming. Aquascaping using live plants and natural materials was a new concept to many. The biggest reward was hearing a celebrity referring to what we do as living art.
Look out for a HD You Tube clip coming soon...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vti-8wVFq4
The tank
Me in rehersal
Dan Crawford, James Starr-Marshall and I recently set up a fully planted aquascape for Sky1s new UK TV show, Liza and Hueys Pet Nation.
The show celebrates the nations obsession with pets and a researcher spoke with me after Practical Fishkeepings recommendation regarding aquascaping.
I was interviewed on set next to our completed display aquarium by Liza Tarbuck and Huey Morgan (Fun Loving Criminals frontman), along with guest celebrity, Antony Worrall Thompson who is also a fishkeeper. I discussed the contrast in what we do as aquascaping compared to the typical ornamental aquarium filled with tacky décor, as well as the hardware aspects amongst other things.
The tank was Dan Crawfords brand new opti-white open-top 80x55x45(H)cm complete with overtank lighting and full glassware set-up, planted with almost 100 Tropica pots (including plants attached to décor). Unipac supplied the amazing piece of Sumatra wood, Petrified wood and substrate. Fish were ten adult Angelfish supplied by Wildwoods. The aquarium was set up on set in the BBCs Wood Lane studios; an awesome place to work in!
My biggest concern was ensuring the water was gin clear prior to filming, as we were on a tight schedule. Usually I let my tanks clear overnight at least prior to photographing but we only had a few hours!
We cleaned the coarse silica sand, Petrified wood and Sumatra wood thoroughly prior to installation to minimise clouding. We then filled the tank slowly using hose, colander and plastic sheet draped over the aquascape. We used two large external filters filled with mechanical media and ultra-fine floss. The water was brought to temperature quickly and the fish settled within minutes. The whole setting up and aquascaping process took just over two hours (although the prep work took months!)
Everyone involved with the show, including Liza and Huey, seemed really impressed by the finished set-up and at one point there was around 20 production staff around the tank admiring it. The producer herself found us and sang our praises which was a real buzz.
As mentioned, I was assisted by fellow keen aquascapers, Dan Crawford and James Starr-Marshall. We worked flawlessly as a team that allowed the full aquascape to be created in a relatively short time. James prepped the plants whilst Dan fitted all the aquarium equipment such as filters and CO2 gear. I set up the hardscape and substrate with some creative guidance from James and Dan and we all began planting into the wet substrate.
I had an idea of what the finish aquascape would look like but it exceeded my already high expectations. Creating a mature-looking aquascaping instantly is a challenge but made easier with high density planting and decent hardscape.
The aquascape feature only lasted a few minutes during the actual broadcast but I hope it inspires and creates as much interest as it did during filming. Aquascaping using live plants and natural materials was a new concept to many. The biggest reward was hearing a celebrity referring to what we do as living art.
Look out for a HD You Tube clip coming soon...
