In the post “ The Master School of Aquarium Design 2019: A Workshop With Six Experts " our outline showing all 6 aquariums has already given you the basics about this popular event. Now, by popular request from the myJBL community, we would like to go into more detail about each of the six masters’ aquariums. We asked each master the same set of questions and have summarised their answers in the post here, along with their corresponding pictures. Use the comments function for your questions about the aquariums or for any further information you need.
JBL hosted this event together with the companies Tropica Aquarium Plants (provided the entire plant assortment) and Juwel Aquarium (provided the aquarium combination JUWEL RIO 125 LED white).
Let’s continue with the aquarium created by Team Bernd Terletzki with his apprentices Annika Koriath and Annika Jonzcyk.
About Master Bernd Terletzki
Bernd is an aquaristics veteran and has had a reputation as an expert through his specialist shop "Aquarium Tonndorf” for decades now. Bernd’s creative approach draws some second glances to his aquariums at national competitions and he is known for sawing through glass panes, building sand volcanoes or making strong structural changes in his aquariums. This doesn’t just cause a sensation, it has led to him winning some special awards too. His motto is: "You can’t create an aquarium without using noisy tools.”
What is the basic idea of the layout and what does it represent?
A deep gorge cuts through the middle of the tabletop mountains in Venezuela. The wind propels the rushing water and the fish play in the water currents flowing through the tiny crevices.
Name of the layout
Wind through the Tabletop Mountains
What material was used in the hardscape?
We used elephant skin stones (light pagode) and some Red Moorwood roots for the basic structure. The substrates JBL PROSCAPE VOLCANO POWDER met JBL PROSCAPE VOLCANO MINERAL were used as substructure. This was covered with JBL PROSCAPE PLANT SOIL BROWN and the open spaces were filled with JBL Sansibar ORANGE . We only used simple products found in any specialist shop to reproduce the layout.
Which plants were used?
- Pogostemon helferi (potted)
- Vesicularia ferriei 'Weeping'
- Anubias 'Petite' (potted)
- Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini' 1-2-Grow!
- Heteranthera zosterifolia 1-2-Grow!
- Hygrophila pinnatifida (potted)
- Marsilea crenata 1-2-Grow!
- Rotala 'Bonsai' 1-2-Grow!
- Staurogyne repens (potted)
- Bucephalandra 'Wavy Green' (potted)
- Cryptocoryne parva (potted)
- Cyperus helferi (potted)
- Hemianthus micranthemoides (potted)
- Ludwigia repens 'Rubin' (potted)
- Rotala rotundifolia (potted)
What are the special features of the layout?
In order to create the strong current, it was particularly important to install an additional JBL ProFlow u800 suction-safe so that it wouldn’t become clogged or lose power even when in continuous operation. In addition, the pump and additional hoses had to be hidden in such a way that they did not visually impair the layout. The photos show that you really have to search for a long time to see the additional installation. The flow rate in this aquarium was more than doubled for the good of the fish.
Which other products were used?
In addition to the substrates ( JBL PROSCAPE VOLCANO POWDER , JBL PROSCAPE VOLCANO MINERAL , JBL PROSCAPE PLANT SOIL BROWN en JBL Sansibar ORANGE ) and the additional flow pump with hoses ( JBL ProFlow u800 en JBL Aquaslang GRIJS ) we used the JBL PROSCAPE PLANTIS PINS in this layout to fix the plants in the bottom-covering and the Proscape Werktuigen to prepare and add the plants. To fix the hardscapes we used JBL PROHARU UNIVERSAL . The plants were glued with JBL PROHARU RAPID . A dremel was used to install the flow pump and to shape the Moorwood roots.
What difficulties did you have with the creation?
Since the layout was kept quite simple, there were no difficulties. Only the loud noise of the dremel attracted the audience and obstructed our work by many questions - but that's how we wanted it! The spectators were amazed when we drilled an additional hole into the filter box and installed the pump.
What maintenance do you recommend for this layout in the start phase and as a routine afterwards? What needs to be considered?
In the first two weeks the aquarium only fertilise slightly with JBL PROSCAPE Fe +MICROELEMENTS en JBL PROSCAPE NPK MACROELEMENTS . We recommend a dose of 30 % which slowly increases after the 2nd week until it reaches 100% in the 6th week. During the first few days the plants adapt and consume very few nutrients. Carry out at least two 50 % water changes per week in the first 2 weeks. Run a CO2 system ( JBL PROFLORA u504 ) from the beginning. The lighting should not exceed 6 hours in the first two weeks and will also be increased to 100% by the 6th week.
