Jelly Bean Tetra - Ladigesia roloffi - Federation of British Aquatic ...

In terms of materials I already had the
required resin Buddha which would be my
central theme. However, a few test runs
proved it to be on too small a scale so I was
forced to buy a more suitable-sized one on
eBay.
In keeping with the style, I planned to use
green bamboo for the backdrop. As we had a
pot full of bamboo growing in our front garden
a few clippings later supplied just enough!
Not wishing to clutter up the space with an
internal power filter, I opted for a simple but
effective undergravel Goldfish bowl filter
purchased on-line for around £5. The uplift
pipe comes equipped with a handy disposable
cartridge containing carbon granules which will
be handy for maintaining water quality.
Placing this on the bare tank bottom, I added
some mature filter medium consisting of
porous ceramic rings which, according to the
advertising, increases the surface area for
maximum helpful bacterial colonisation.
On top of this I added 4” of black gravel which I had been given free for
helping out at the last Olympia Fish keeping Exhibition. Some tiny clay pots
would be home to some Marimo Moss Balls which are native flora to
Chinese rivers and bob about in turbulent water – I always adopt the
phrase ‘A Rolling Moss gathers No Stones’ whenever I see these, but in
this case some cocktail sticks pushed through helps secure them into their
pots making them look like manicured topiary bushes.
The minimal space left dictated that a slow growing hardy plant such as
Java Fern should add a little Eastern Promise, so I duly added a couple of
rooted sprigs stolen from my wife’s 4ft tank These were planted either side
of the Buddha in order to hide the view of the filter’s uplift pipe.
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