Venturing Into The Whole World Series Six - <the Leaping Rocks>

[PWONG]

Hello everyone! This is my first time entering your website, hope we can exchange some comments and experiences.

This year, my ADA project's name is "The Leaping Rocks" The reason I am using this name is because last year I have used cortex and cliff as my theme. However, due to my confounded choice of use in rocks, even Mr. Takashi Amano used my tank as the negative teaching material. Therefore, this year my target is to fulfill my last year's mistake and improve on it.

When I finalized to use rocks as the theme then, I realized that since rock is a dead object, and the material is way too stiff and heavy, it will be presented in a very ramrod way. This will also give people a cold and staid feeling. It will be very ironic with fishes and grass in the tank since they are so lively.

But when I was out on a tour trying to get some hints for this project, I was concentrating on different types of stones (in terms of their shapes and their distinguishing characteristics), I realized that in the nature these stones can still look very playful and energetic.

So this gave me an inspiration. I really wanted to create a grass tank that can use rocks as the theme and yet the rocks must look like they are very active and alive. But the tough part is "how can I make the rocks look alive?" What I did is to concentrate on the rock material, form, position, then use grass and fish to bring the rocks to become lively.

So much talk for the time being, right now let's look at some of the photos I took. At the same time, please don't forget to give me some suggestions or comments.

Photo 1.
Last year, Mr. Takashi Amano used my cortex and cliff theme tank as the negative teaching material, I really don't know if I should be glad or upset!

Photo 2.
The stone is placed in a slanted way. This will bring up more livelihood in the rocks. Note to put some algae on the surface, otherwise, it will not look natural

Photo 3.
Use Echinodorus Telellus, Because the leafs are curly and then this will make the rocks look very playful too

Photo 4.
Then put a group of Neon Tetra because they usually swim on the top surface where the rocks are then it will add more spice to this.

Photo 5.
This is the fullscale photo of "The Leaping Rocks" Hope you like them.

 

[Mr Miagi]

WOW!! That is amazing PWONG! Im deffinately not qualified to find anything wrong in that aquascape (if there was anything wrong at all)! The colours are brilliant!

EDIT: I also think a world ranking of 33 is amazing. Nothing to be disapointed at. I think yoiu should be glad Takashi Amano used your tank as a feature to learn from.

 

[Xebadir]

*jaw drops*

A world ranking of 33 is very impressive and you should be very proud. I understand how you feel: you are a perfectionist, and until you achieve that you will not be happy. The tank itself is simply stunning, you should be very proud, many of us strive for such a beautiful tank for our lifetimes as fishkeepers: and you achieved it. Just because someone else holds the opinion that it is not the best doesnt mean it is: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and what i have beheld is simply stunning. Congratulations on a Magnificent tank. Your comments do truly reflect the feel.

 

[Dubby]

Its truly amazing PWong. As long as Takashi Amano didnt use it to explain what NOT to do, then it should be fine

How do you get the rocks to stay in place at such angles? Do they not slowly topple over?

 

[ChrisC]

Top notch.

I would imagine Amano would have picked up on the three distinct groups of rocks?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[craynerd]

This is another fantastic aquascape from my most influential group. Please keep them coming.


As someone else has said, at that level I am not qualified to criticize or comment.

I just hope Amano uses me as a negative teaching point next year, i`d be thrilled LMAO


Regards
Chris

 

[Themuleous]

For what its worth I liked it the first time round and 33rd in the world! If I came 33rd in the world in ANYTHING I'd be over the moon!

Like the re-scape

Sam

 

[catxx]

O_O i am in awe!!! i wish i could create such amazing things like that.

[fickle]
p.s. aren't those cardinal tetras, not neons?
[/fickle]

 

[George Farmer]

Hello PWONG

Another fine layout from the CAU crew. Thank you for sharing and utmost respect for your obvious talent. Yet more inspiration for us all at TFF.

Would you mind sharing your tank spec and maintenace regime?

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Hi PWONG,

I like your your aqua scape, very fresh healthy and alive, you mush share with us how you grow your plants so successfully.

May add my opinion on your rock layout?
I can see what it is you are trying to achieve, but for me the rocks are in 3 clusters ( left, center and right) would it not be more balanced by doing a ratio of 2:1 with your clusters of rock?
Also the main focal points are the rocks in the for ground but in my eyes they all look the same, they may look better when in different sizes with the odd larger anchor/mother rocks to compliment each other, really its the three clusters of rocks that are the same size that, to me do not look natural.

I sound realy critical

I would like to grow plants as well as you Mr WONG.

Graeme UK