The New Concept (not That New ) From Ada.

[Graeme Edwards]

After reading a thread on another forum I came across this new concept. I have thought about doing this but havent got round to do it. The concept is Wabi-Kusa.
From what I can gather from translating websites. The concept is gathering native aquatic and none aquatic plants and displaying them in a stylish way.

Heres the links.

http/www.rva.jp/shop/ada/ada-wabi-3.htm

http/www.rva.jp/shop/ada/ada-wabi-2.htm

Heres a link for a website for you to get the pages translated.

http/babelfish.altavista.com/


From what i gather they are selling this in a way that sugests that because these plants are nativen ( to japan) and grown submerged/emersed thay should grow in any house hold. Im sure there would be exception especialy in warm homes or dark rooms. A window would be ideal. How you will keep the glass free from algea will be another thought.
If you know your native plants this should be a doddle.
A project for the summer. I think keeping these on a patio or balcony in a trendy flat ( any where really) would look very nice indeed.

Really like this idea, more research need i think.

Regards,
Graeme.

 

[Graeme Edwards]

http/translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...6lr%3D%26sa%3DN

Click through the pages, make insparational viewing for people who haven't allready seen these.

http/translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...6lr%3D%26sa%3DN

R,
Graeme.

 

[excaliborg]

Quite interesting, I've had a similar 'tray' set up for a while now that has been sat outside. It started after wandering round my local woodland looking for nice branches for a new planned aquascape. Noticed there was some really nice mosses and small shrub like plants around the waterlogged areas of the woodland so collected samples of them and put them in a tray with a sloping substrate (just soil), filled half with water. The idea was to compare how they grew submerged and emersed - nothing quite as fancy as the ADA set ups but interesting none the less.

Another example by Steven Chong (a member of this forum)
http/www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumap...-wabi-kusa.html

 

[lljdma06]

I agree, it is an interesting concept. It seems to me a combination between a tank and a pond. Many stemplants grow above the water, as do some anubias. There are also marginal plants that would do well in this type of setup. As pretty as it looks, however, there is a point where it is no longer an aquarium, and I think this crosses the line for me. Still very pretty, Moody, and if you try this, I will definitely keep an eye out for it.

llj

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Fair enough guys, i guess it doesnt tickle every bodys taste buds!
Ill be giving it a go in the spring/ summer once im settled into my first house.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Moody,

Just as a matter of interest. Do you have any idea what equipment you'd use in this type of tank with it
being so shallow. For example the filter and how about Co2 diffuser in such shallow water ?

Oh and I saw a similar shaped 'ClearSeal' tank in an LFS today .... obviously not a patch on the one in your pic, but very similar shape & depth.

Al

 

[George Farmer]

I've been a fan of this since I saw it ADA Aqua Journals and their catalogues.

Steven Chong is doing one over on APC, looks good too.

 

[Themuleous]

I guess these setups mimic the mangrove/estuarine eco-systmes, which are one of the most productive of ANY (terrestrial or aquatic) eco-sytem on the planet, mostly due to the fact that they are nutrient rich due to silt and the plants can get CO2 from the air, so very little is limiting their growth. But I agree, not really an aquarium in my opinion, but nice all the same. although probable to 'arty' for my house!

Sam

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Moody,

Just as a matter of interest. Do you have any idea what equipment you'd use in this type of tank with it
being so shallow. For example the filter and how about Co2 diffuser in such shallow water ?

Oh and I saw a similar shaped 'ClearSeal' tank in an LFS today .... obviously not a patch on the one in your pic, but very similar shape & depth.

Al

Just received the ADA catalog from Japan this morning.

Reading through the Wabi-Kusa section they suggest that using the ADA mini solar pendant with mini glass Lilly pipes and mini pollen glass diffusers. The tanks they use are only 45cm-30cm-16cm.
So you could go mini for every thing. Aqua essentials are selling the ADA mini Lilly pipes soon ( see below ) and the are lots of mini diffuser around.

I think though you could get away with just small reptile pump hidden within the rocks to give water circulation. Use the plants as natural filters Cyperus alternifolius foe example. We use these at chester zoo in nearly all of the tanks.
Ive been thinking about plants too and there is quiet allot that would work, just look through the tropica website.

As far as algae control. Nerit snails would work along with shrimp (maybe) couple of Otto's. I would conceder only using RO water or rain for a setup like this.



Regards,
Graeme.

 

[lissie]

We use these at chester zoo in nearly all of the tanks.

Do you work at Chester zoo? I was well impressed with the aquariums when I went there!

(excaliborg on mrs account)

 

[Graeme Edwards]

We use these at chester zoo in nearly all of the tanks.

Do you work at Chester zoo? I was well impressed with the aquariums when I went there!

(excaliborg on mrs account)

I sure do. I have to admit our tanks are some of the best planted tanks compared to some other aquariums around the Uk. Still could do better but im a perfectionist.