This set-up is sure to create a talking-point!
Combining modern planted tank practices with a bit of tongue in cheek design, you can mix this classic Japanese iwagumi, rock garden style with some plastic farm animals to replicate German aquascaper Oliver Knott and his infamous animal creations.
Choose from cows, tigers, pandas or whatever takes your fancy!
Check first to ensure that anything you add won’t harm the fish.
Tip
For your artificial pasture, complete with herd of farm animals, grow the plants in well first, then add the cow ornaments at the end.
That way you will get an even carpet of plants and no algae growth on the backs of the animals.
What you will need
60 x 35 x 30cm/24 x 14 x 12” tank and cabinet £100
60cm luminaire £100-200
Internal filter £30
Heater £20
Yeast based CO2 system £20
Substrate fertiliser £10
12 kilos of inert substrate £10
Rocks £20
Carpeting plants £20
Test kits £20
Plastic animals £15
Total: Expect to pay £350
Optional extras
External filter £60
In-line heater £35
Pressurised CO2 system £100
OptiWhite, rimless aquarium £125
This item was first published in the Christmas 2009 issue of Practical Fishkeeping magazine. It may not be reproduced without written permission.