Another 180cm aquarium that was aquascaped by Takashi Amano during the recent Medaka No Gakkou Layout Seminar takes a different twist as it was a rescape instead. The hardscape was kept in its original position but all the flora was removed. We suspect that ADA changed a great deal of Aquasoil as well.

It is interesting to note that the aquascape ADA chose to rescape was one of our least favourite among all their aquascapes. This is not to say that ADA was lacking in any way in their previous aquascape, but that the hardscape is not conventional and challenging to work with.

In big aquariums that are 120cm or 180cm in size, aquascaping in a sense, is easier than a nano aquarium of 30cm. In such a limited space, details are highly important and the entire aquascape has to be worked out carefully in advance. In a big aquarium, there are more space allowances and leeway in the aquascape’s design. In this film, Takashi Amano speaks of paying attention to detail even in such a big aquarium, such details are what lift the aquascape to a higher level.

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credit: Aqua Design Amano | ADA View

The recent Medaka No Gakkou Layout Seminar by ADA has resulted in a slew of short films of Takashi Amano aquascaping. Before the introduction of ADA View and the filming of such seminars, the only films of Takashi Amano aquascaping was during special events and trade shows. We bet many aquascapers are highly appreciative of such short films, every one a small nugget of inspiration.

In this film, Takashi Amano aquascapes a massive iwagumi using wabi-kusa. Instead of the traditional method of planting individual plantlets of foreground flora, the speed of aquascaping using wabi-kusa is simply amazing. In Japan, ADA’s home country, wabi-kusa is available for purchase in various local fish shops, but this is not so in many other countries. If our local fish shops will take the initiative to make these wabi-kusa available, we predict sales will be brisk and how we aquascape will change. Planting by wabi-kusa will also mean that planting heavily from the onset is possible for everyone and flora will grow well as there is no danger of them not rooting in the early stages of an aquascape.

We sometimes wonder if ADA goes through the same problems we encounter when aquascaping. Their aquascapes always seem flawless and not plague with algae or the other issues that we face. We deduce that experience plays a major role in avoiding any potential problems and in the film, Takashi Amano dispenses some of his experience. He mentions that effort should be taken to create a substrate that is as level as possible, this will ensure that flora would put out roots quickly and spread evenly, instead of growing densely without spreading.

The films in this layout Seminar have been most inspiring, we hope that such films will continue to be released.

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credit: Aqua Design Amano | ADA View

Here is another layout that Takashi Amano aquascaped recently. In the same layout seminar as our previous film featuring a 180cm aquarium, here he deals with the more popular size of 90cm

This film is interesting because he is aquascaping with driftwood that is less than ideal. Cable tie and lots of rocks were used to ensure the hardscape works. The depth of field on this aquascape was also worth mentioning and it will be something we will be personally trying to achieve for our future aquascapes.

As usual, he engages the audience and speaks about his thoughts behind this design. Enjoy this film!

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credit: Aqua Design Amano | ADA View

ADA View, Aqua Design Amano’s film unit has been most prolific in its videos. Although most of their film are updates on their aquariums, once in a while, a gem shows up and this is one of them.

In the film, Takashi Amano aquascapes a 180cm aquarium and talks about the rational behind his aquascape. If you do not have the time to watch through the entire film, he starts to share his thoughts at the 5 minute 10 seconds mark.

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credit: Aqua Design Amano | ADA View

ADA View, Aqua Design Amano’s film unit has published so many films in such a short period of time, that we have stopped trying to put them all up on [TAG] unless they are especially interesting. The vast majority of such films has been to catalogue changes in their aquarium growth and to put them all on [TAG] would not have been practical.

But once in a while, a film appears that is worth highlighting. This aquascape with Unzan Stone and Wabi-kusa is such a film.  The ADA aquarium used for this aquascape is an uncommon type that is only found at the ADA gallery and it’s not for sale. Also, because of its massive size, it uses a sump filter instead of ADA’s Super Jet filters.

Takashi Amano uses the new Unzan rock for this aquascape. And there are new techniques for adding moss to your hardscape that can be found in the second film that we will not spoil it for you here. We will also inspired by the way he used driftwood in this aquascape that really accentuates their beauty.

For us, this is one of the best aquascapes in recent times. New hardscape, unconventional aquascaping techniques and the constant  aquascaping innovation by ADA shows why they are still the foremost aquascaping company today.

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Film credits: ADA View | Aqua Design Amano

In this third edition of ADA View, we host the episodes 16 to 20.

Episodes 16 and 17 shows the growth process of several aquariums about 18 days after planting.

Episode 18 is interesting. With ADA’s Wabi Kusa, low tech tanks just became even simpler. Here, ADA demonstrates how it is possible to keep a planted tank with no equipment at all.

Episode 19 shows the trimming of Eleochalis acicularis (dwarf hairgrass) and Hemianthus callitrichoides (HC).

Episode 20 charts the progress of two tanks, 25 days after planting.

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All credits: Aqua Design Amano | ADA View

In this second edition, we host the episodes 11 – 15 of ADA View. We have also added a short summary of each film. Enjoy!

Episode 11
An example of how ADA removes alage from the substrate.

Episode 12, part 1
The progress of two 180cm iwagumi aquariums, 19 days after they were planted.

Episode 12, part 2
The use of ADA’s fertiliser range, the Brightly series.

Episode 13
The progress of two 120cm aquariums, 19 days after they were planted. The hardscape of the second 120cm aquarium is pretty special.

Episode 14
Fauna was introduced into two other 180cm iwagumi aquariums. Awesome side view of substrate which illustrate how high it actually is. The progress of a 180cm aquarium, 19 days after it was planted.

Episode 15
The progress of a 120cm iwagumi aquarium, 19 days after it was planted. The first trimming was done 12 days after planting. The progress of a 120cm aquarium, 18 days after it was planted.

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All credits: Aqua Design Amano | ADA View

In this second edition, we host the episodes 6 – 10 of ADA View. Enjoy!

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All credits: Aqua Design Amano | ADA View

Design Group created this fantastic looking goldfish tank that was featured on the cover of Tropical Fish Hobbyist (December 2011). The aquarium that ADG used was an ADA 120-H of measurements 120cm (length) x 45cm (depth) x 60cm (height), giving it a greater height than traditional 120cm aquariums.

ADG states that this aquarium design makes one feel that they are viewing a pristine koi pond, instead of a normal aquarium. We completely agree with them and know that this design is going to inspire not a small number of goldfish hobbyists into having their own ‘pond’, right at home.

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All picture and video credits: Aquarium Design Group | ADGVibe

We love how Aqua Design Amano is always innovating. Not just in their aquarium products and aquascaping styles, but currently in their embrace of new media as a means to spread their message. ADA View is a dedicated YouTube channel in which all ADA regularly updates with new happenings from the headquarters. In this first edition, we host the first 5 episodes of ADA View.

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All credits: Aqua Design Amano | ADA View

Aqua Design Amano’s annual Nature Aquarium Party is the highlight of the year for many aquascapers. At this event, the winning aquascapes of the year’s International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest is revealed and critiqued.

Besides the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest, the Nature Aquarium Party is also a chance for all the Aqua Design Amano distributors to gather and bond over a few days with visits to Takashi Amano’s home, workshops at the ADA Gallery and participating in the famous ADA Iwagumi contest.

For the first time ever, ADA has filmed down and made available the entire Nature Aquarium Party. Here it is for your pleasure, do enjoy the party!

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All Credits: Aqua Design Amano | ADA View

The Wabi Kusa concept created by ADA is one that is ideally suited for newcomers into the aquatic hobby. It is extremely simple to create, yet being peacefully elegant at the same time. In Japan and some other countries, it is possible to buy the Wabi Kusa from local fish shops instead of creating your own.

In these two films, ADA demonstrates the steps needed to establish and maintain a Wabi Kusa layout. ADA recommends the Wabi Kusa layout for beginners as it is hardy and less complex. They also suggest that killifish and shrimp can be kept in such an aquarium set up as the plants will sufficiently filter the aquarium.

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All credits: Aqua Design Amano | ADA View

Aquarium Design Group | Featured in Tropical Fish Hobbyist’s (TFH) September 2011 issue in the Adventures in Aquascaping column, we take you through the creation and final setup of this inspired Discus hardscape aquarium. Using the Aqua Design Amano (ADA) Cube Garden 120-H, Horn Wood and Manten Stone, Jeff Senske created an aquascape that centers foremost around the elegance of Discus.

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All credits: Aquarium Design Group

Aquarium Design Group: Our Amazon tank here in the ADG Gallery has had a couple of pairs of these wild caught angelfish spawn with fry reaching the free-swimming stage. While not an especially difficult fish to breed, it is always rewarding and very enjoyable to watch these cycles of nature play out right before your eyes.

Be sure to watch this one in HD to take in the detail of the fry and subdued lighting environment throughout.

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All credits: Aquarium Design Group

Devin Biggs, the founder of the Riparium style of aquascaping, introduces the fundamentals of the Riparium style in the film. He touches on the equipment needed and showcases the different types of fauna and flora.

We look forward to more such films of the Riparium style as they will be a useful resource for the increasing Riparium aquascapers.

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credit: Riparium Supply

In this second episode, Aquarium Design Group addresses water water changes, doses Green Bacter, Brighty K (potassium supplement), trims the hairgrass, adds Amano shrimps and O-cats, and cleans the Pollen Glass 3 diffuser and Lily Pipes.

Enjoy this second episode!

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video credits: Aquarium Design Group | ADGVibe

Elmo from TPT shot his planted tank with his new DSLR. We are glad to be featuring it here as this film effectively captures the emotions of our hobby.

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credit: TickleMyElmo

Aquarium Design Group has started a new film series on how to use ADA products and set up an aquascape.  In this first episode, they demonstrate how ADA establishes a substrate, plant hairgrass and set up a rarely seen Super Jet filter.

Enjoy this first episode and we will bring subsequent episodes to you when they are released.

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credits: Aquarium Design Group | ADGVibe

Aquarium Design Group: This is a preview for the upcoming feature-length presentation of our newest installation into the forthcoming ADG Gallery inside our new retail concept store. The Amazon Biotope Aquarium: Inspired by our studies of Heiko Bleher’s now famous books and texts documenting his decades of exploration and discovery in the Amazon, we sought here to meld our passion for hardscape-design with a truer sense of the natural environments of some of the Amazon’s most legendary aquarium species.

I don’t know about you, but this trailer stirs up deep emotions for us. ADG managed to capture the serenity and majesty of discus swimming in biotope aquarium. We will bring you the complete film once ADG releases it. Thank you for viewing.

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credit: ADGVibe | http://www.youtube.com/user/ADGVibe

The keeping of Bee Shrimps have taken off quite spectacularly in the last 5 years. New colourations and grades are almost annual occurrences as breeders continue to work hard at selective breeding. Some fauna have gone through this process, with the Betta Splendens coming to mind, having been remarkably improved in form, shape and size through selective breeding. But unlike the breeders of the Betta Splendens, shrimp breeders have that much more incentive to breed the next ‘big thing’ because of the high premium in shrimp prices.

For a fauna that is known more for its existence in the tanks of breeders world wide than in the wild, Chris Lukhaup finds the habitat of the Bee Shrimp on an exploration trip sponsored by Dennerle and shares this film on YouTube. In the near future, we will be embarking on a shrimp series in which the different types of shrimp will be introduced.

Enjoy this film!

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credit: Chris Lukhaup

With aquascaping on the increase in recent years, few aquarists these days will actually prefer an empty tank for their fauna. The only justification is that your fauna is best housed in an empty tank, for optimal health and presentation. Even for sensitive faunas such as Arowanas, Bettas and Discus which always have been traditionally housed in an empty tank, advances in aquascaping techniques and knowledge has led to workable aquascapes that have been design around their needs. jcardona1′s Wild Discus Biotope is a good example. (http://theaquaticgazette.com/2011/04/28/jcardona1s-wild-discus-biotope-1/)

However, some newcomers to aquascaping do not want the added task of caring for flora, yet they still want a good looking aquascape. The lack of flora takes away the need to ensure proper lighting, CO2 requirements and nutrients dosing. The reasons for wanting this lack are many; a limited budget, no interest in flora, a preference for a hardscape centric aquascape, limited maintenance time, are just some of the reasons.

Whatever your reason might be, Aquarium Design Group shows us how an aquascape without flora can still look good. We hope that this film will inspire those that are on the fence, to try aquascaping their aquarium. You will be rewarded with a beautiful aquarium and your fauna will love you for it. Enjoy the film!

(If you would like to watch the video in a bigger size, please view this article in a single page format by clicking the title)

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credit: Aquarium Design Group | ADGVibe

Few of us have been to ADA’s Nature Aquarium Party or the Gallery at Niigata. In this film, Jeff Senske of Aquarium Design Group travels to Niigata Japan for the 2010 ADA Nature Aquarium Party and other events including a unique visit to Takashi Amano’s giant Nature Aquarium in his private residence, a solo visit to the Nature Aquarium Gallery, and a rock collecting trip in the Japanese countryside with Steven Chong. We have embedded this film from YouTube for your convenience. Please click on this article’s title to view the film in its proper size.

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credit: Aquarium Design Group | ADGVibe

Filipe Oliveira of FAAO Aquascaping is an internationally recognised aquascaper and ELOS ambassador. His latest aquascape, One Step Closer, has been documented into films on YouTube. We have embedded them here for your convenience. Please click on this article’s title to view the films in their proper sizes.

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credit: FaaoStudio | faao.blogspot.com