The ScapeFu Podcast

In this week's episode of the ScapeFu Podcast, Daniel Griffin of Seachem gives us an inside look at Seachem and it's view/support of the planted aquarium hobby. *******

In episode 60 of the ScapeFu Podcast, Jurijs shares his experience at the recent UK Aquascaping Experience 2016. It's a fun episode especially for all of you that were not able to make it this year. Full show notes with pictures of the hardscape entries can be found at http://scapefu.com/episode60 Thanks for listening!

Cara Wade, a lighting expert from Build My LED, tells you exactly what you should be looking for when thinking about lighting your planted aquarium. Cara clears up misconceptions and cuts through the marketing jargon that's floating out there. You are not going to want to miss this one! Links mentioned in the show: Lighting Basics ScapeFu043 Lighting Basics for the Planted Aquarium ScapeFu017 Introduction to Lighting ScapeFu Aquatic Gardeners Association Convention DVDs Nick Klase's MACNA Talk on LED Thanks for listening! ****

Sean Murphy is the first to use mineralized soil in planted aquariums intentionally. Mineralized soil retains all of the beneficial nutrients but removes almost 100% of the organics that regular soil has. This minimizes the changes of algae while still providing your plants with the nutrition they need. Items mentioned: Aaron Talbot's write up about Mineralized Soil and Sean's recipe at APC GWAPA site Dupla Potter's Clay Dolomite Muriate of Potash Dustin's Dirt Housekeeping: If you haven't downloaded the ScapeFu App, please consider doing so. It helps us to defray the cost of bringing you the ScapeFu Podcast every week. Download the iOS or Android versions.

Jeff Miotke is an aquascaper from the USA and he's very talented. Get to know Jeff in this episode of the ScapeFu Podcast. Show notes with some of Jeff's tanks

Show notes (available March 8, 2016)

Ways to Fertilize Your Plants In ScapeFu episode 55, Art starts a podcast series on the ways people fertilize aquarium plants today. It's a foundation podcast to be followed by deep dives into Estimative Index, Mineralized Soil, PPS and more. Here's what you'll learn on this episode: Some history on the way people use to fertilize aquarium plants What you should do to figure out what method is best for you Substrate methods Substrate + Water Column methods Water Column methods Commercial solutions Nutrient Calculators Some of the links mentioned in the show: Jurijs' massive aquascape livestream UK Aquatic Experience ScapeFu Podcast episode on Wabikusa Great Plains Aquatic Association Event Diana Walstad's El Natural Method Tom Barr's Estimative Index Edward's Perpetual Preservation System Aquarium Calculators APC's Fertilator JBL's calculators Yet Another Nutrient Calculator The AquaTools Calculator Zorfox Nutrient Calculator Jame's Nutrient Calculator 31 Days to Build a Better Aquascape  

Top 10 Reasons People Fail and How to Avoid Them Today, it is relatively easy to have a healthy, beautiful aquarium. It’s within anybody’s reach if they take the time to do a little research and purchase the right equipment. However, in spite of all the available information out there, many beginners fail and, some, give up and quit. In this episode, we share with you the top 10 reasons why people fail and we teach you how to avoid them. If you’re struggling with your planted aquarium, this is for you. Links Mentioned The 1 Thing Takashi Amano Does That You Don't 31 Days to Build a Better Aquascape Dry Start Method: 7 Tips for Success Golden Equilibrium series Aquascapes Deconstructed Algae Prevention: How we do it Help with Algae Housekeeping The best way to hear the ScapeFu Podcast and support the show is to download the ScapeFu App. As a bonus, you'll get the weekly Ask Art Podcast for free. Thank you for supporting our work! iOS ScapeFu App | Android ScapeFu App   You can always reach us at feedback@scapefu.com. We look forward to hearing from you.   Are you on Facebook? Please LIKE the ScapeFu Page!   Use Twitter? Follow us @ScapeFu   Lastly, if you enjoy listening to our work on a weekly basis, please help us get the word out about the ScapeFu Podcast to others. Word of mouth promotion is the only way we advertise and we can't do it without you. Please bring up the ScapeFu Podcast to your friends, forum members and at club meetings. Thank you so much for your support *******

In episode 53, JJ and Art divulge their love affair with certain aquascaping styles. It's a Valentines Day special episode. This is a picture heavy episode so we encourage you to visit the episode post on ScapeFu when you can. There you will see examples of the beautiful aquascaping styles we are talking about. Housekeeping The best way to hear the ScapeFu Podcast and support the show is to download the ScapeFu App. As a bonus, you'll get the weekly Ask Art Podcast for free. Thank you for supporting our work! iOS ScapeFu App | Android ScapeFu App You can always reach us at feedback@scapefu.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Are you on Facebook? Please LIKE the ScapeFu Page! Use Twitter? Follow us @ScapeFu Lastly, if you enjoy listening to our work on a weekly basis, please help us get the word out about the ScapeFu Podcast to others. Word of mouth promotion is the only way we advertise and we can't do it without you. Please bring up the ScapeFu Podcast to your friends, forum members and at club meetings. Thank you so much for your support *******

Today's question comes from Heather: When do you trim leaves that are showing deficiency symptoms? What is the proper way to trim plants? ______________________ If you'd like to leave a question for Art to answer on the Ask Art Podcast, please visit the Ask Art page for instructions.

Re-released of the long lost ScapeFu episode 2 with an interview with Ghazanfar Ghori.

This is the first episode of the ScapeFu Podcast. I'm re-releasing it as it has been lost to some of you since we migrated to our current host.

A nano tank can be alluring to a beginner. It's low cost entry point, the promise of easier maintenance, and it's ability to fit almost anywhere make the nano tank almost a no-brainer for beginners. After all, aren't we always taught to start small? It makes sense, right? However, the reality is, nano tanks are not always easy. They bring some challenges. With less water volume, things happen quicker. Also, such a small footprint makes it difficult to aquascape. Finally, finding the right plants, fish, hardscape and equipment for it can be difficult. In this episode, we share our thoughts on the pros and cons of nano tanks for aquascaping and give you tips and techniques that you can use if you choose to go the nano route. Why would someone want to do a nano tank aquascape? It is cheaper given the smaller equipment needed and some equipment may not be needed at all People are less intimidated with a smaller tank when they are beginning. Your significant other may not approve a large tank when you're starting out. You need time to convince them that a bigger tank really is necessary. There is a myth that nano tanks take less work than larger tanks. Challenges of a nano tank aquascape Look at any aquascaping contest to see what work was the best in show and you will see that nano tanks are never represented. It is very difficult to properly aquascape a nano tank given it small dimensions. Given the small amount of water, things can go wrong very quickly. Maintenance is necessary on a more frequent basis. Finding plants, fish and equipment to fit the smaller size can be challenging. Tips and techniques for aquascaping a nano tank. Choosing the right plants Mosses Anubias nana petite dwarf hairgrass Eleocharis acicularis Cyrptocoryne parva Hemianthus callitrichoides (HC) Pogostemon helferi Staurogyne sp. "repent"' Bucephalandra spec Marsilea hirsuta Marsilea crenata Eleocharis mini/pussila Eriocaulons Choosing the right hardscape Choose hardscape dominant or plant dominant not both (ryuboku) Don't forget detail work is still important in a nano Perspective and depth Are you after a detailed view of a small space or looking to make the nano seem bigger? All elements must complement each other in terms of size, texture, color, etc. Depending on the size, the rule of thirds may not make the work look better. Keep it simple as complicated aquascapes tend to make the aquascape seem smaller Fish choices for the nano Tank ember tetra Dwarf pencilfish Scarlet badis (Dario dario) celestial pearl danio White could mountain minnow Killifish Solitary betta? Blue neon (p.simulans) Rasbora espei Corydoras pygmaeus Galaxy rasbora Borara spec Equipment for the nano Tank Lighting AquaTop Nano Type-P LED light for Planted Tanks Fluval Nano Aqua Life and Plant Performance LED Lamp Filtration Do you even need one? Zoo med Nano 10 External Canister Filter Fluval Nano Aquarium Filter Finnex Pure-5 Power Aquarium Filter Eden 501 - very popular in Germany Dennerle ScapersFlow (HOB) - I really like this one. I hope they make it to the US soon! Fertilization Commercial Roll your own Carbon dioxide Fluval Mini CO2 Supply Set Nano kit from Tropica Aquarium Plants Excel Examples of good nano tank aquascapes Diego Sandoval is the master of the micro aquascaping. His works are amazingly small and amazingly beautiful. The featured image at the top of this post is of one of Diego's magnificent miniature aquascapes. The work is entitled "Towards Destiny" as is a wonderful example of how proper scale can make a nano tank seem much larger than what it really is. Please go visit Diego's site and marvel at his artistry. Tell him you heard about him in the ScapeFu Podcast.   Some of the links mentioned in the episode: 180p livestream EAPLC 2015 nano top 10 GAPLC 2014 nano AGA 2015 under 60 liters Diego Sandoval's Blog Miniscape contest – still running until February 15, 2016!! Green Leaf Aquariums' CO2 Regulator Manifold Bonus question from George Farmer ‪George Farmer‪ - "What's the best way to minimise equipment on show in a nano tank? Some aquariums are so small that any equipment at all looks very distracting. ‪Keep up the great work, guys!"   Thanks, George! Jurijs replied to George at the end of the episode but you're going to have to listen to it to find our what he said! Housekeeping The best way to hear the ScapeFu Podcast and support the show is to download the ScapeFu App. As a bonus, you'll get the weekly Ask Art Podcast for free. Thank you for supporting our work! iOS ScapeFu App | Android ScapeFu App You can always reach us at feedback@scapefu.com. We look forward to hearing from you! Are you on Facebook? Please LIKE the ScapeFu Page! Use Twitter? Follow us @ScapeFu *******  

Algae Prevention & Elimination - How We Do It | ScapeFu051 In episode 51, Jurijs, JJ and Art share with you how they prevent and eliminate algae. If you've ever struggled with algae, you need to have a listen. And, it's Jurijs' birthday! In this episode, you'll learn: Can you win the battle over algae? Sterilizing techniques including "cooking" Best way to prevent algae Maintenance crew examples How we eliminate algae Links mentioned in this episode: UK Aquascaping Experience ADA 180p Event on February 27, 2016 Black Brush Algae (BBA) - How to Kill it | ScapeFu047 Estimative Index Fertilization by Tom Barr Allelopathy The water stop that Jurijs uses Reverse Osmosis System used by Jurijs Twinstar interview with Dave Chow | ScapeFu020 AlgaeFix Algae Control Aquatic Essentials - JJ and Gabriel's site Housekeeping Support the show and show your appreciation by downloading the ScapeFu App. It's the best way to listen to the show, get it before anyone else and also get the app-only Ask Art Podcast. iOS ScapeFu App | Android ScapeFu App We want to hear from you! Reach us at feedback@scapefu.com *******

In the 18th episode of the Ask Art Podcast, Gabriel asks about slowing down an aquascape to a nice idle. Also, a sneak peak at the 31 Days to Build a Better Aquascape Challenge 2016. Links mentioned in the episode: Golden equilibrium post on ScapeFu Send Art a question for the Ask Art Podcast Thank you for being a loyal listener and supporter of the ScapeFu and Ask Art Podcasts. We hope you are getting value and entertainment from them. Other ways to support our efforts: Tell other hobbyists about the ScapeFu App and Podcast Leave a review on iTunes Send us feedback

Celebrating our 50th episode! We talk about re-scaping your aquarium. Jurijs, JJ and Art share how they re-scape with pro tips for you. Re-scaping Your Aquarium In this episode, you will learn: Re-scaping is versus tweaking How to prepare to re-scape correctly and avoid problems/mistakes How you take apart an aquarium properly so that you can re-scape How best to implement your re-scape Tweaking for when you don't want a full reset Links mentioned in the episode: Takashi Amano partial re-scaping video Jurijs' two in one layout - a good example of tweaking versus re-scaping The 1 Thing Amano Does that You Don't ScapeFu Dojo video How to Create a Beautiful (and growing) Wabikusa | ScapeFu026 Aquatic Essentials - Need help installing or maintaining an aquascape? If you're in South Florida, JJ and team can help Show notes with pictures How about you? Have you done a re-scape before? Contemplating one? Tell us about it in the comments! Housekeeping The best way to support the show is by buying the ScapeFu app. As a free gift, you will get access to all of the Ask Art Podcasts - my weekly show where I answer one of your questions. You can download the app by going to your app store: iOS ScapeFu App | Android ScapeFu App We want to hear from you! Send us an email: feedback@scapefu.com

In episode 17 of the Ask Art Podcast, Art answers James' question on how to deal with BBA in some of his tanks. If you want to send Art a question to be answered in the Ask Art Podcast, just go to AskArt.help.

In 2015, the third edition of the European Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (EAPLC) was held for the whole of Europe. In this episode, Jurijs and Art share with you a behind the scenes look at at the EAPLC from their perspectives as event organizer/judge (Jurijs) and independent judge (Art). In ScapeFu episode #49, you will learn: The history of the EAPLC The 2015 judges (what a group!) How do judges go about scoring the works What's in store for the 2016 EAPLC Show Notes We discussed 5 Reasons to Join an Aquascaping Contest in the past. The 2015 Judges Panel: ADA Japan (in deputy for Takashi Amano) Oliver Knott (Germany) Viktor Lantos (greenaqua Hungary) Ralf Gerlach (Tropica,Denmark) Dave Chow (China) Luca Galarraga (Brazil) Jurijs Jutjajevs (Germany) - Jurijs! Art Pennom (USA) - me! George Farmer (UK) Adam Paszczela (Poland) The 2015 Organization Team: Boris Hildebrandt Jörg Buhlmann Jurijs Jutjajevs The 2015 Sponsors: Aqua Design Amano Twinstar LUPYLED Flexi-M Tropica aquadeco Dähne Verlag (exclusive media partner) WABIKUSA - Category This year Wabikusa category received almost twice amount of entries. This leaves no doubt Wabikusa is trending! Platz 1 – Frederic Fuss (Germany) Platz 2 – Andre Franken (Germany) Platz 3 – Peter Slacka (Slovakia) Platz 4 – Albert Escrihuela (Spain) Platz 5 – Pedro Rosa (Portugal) Platz 6 – Roberto Bielli (Italy) Platz 7 – Enrico Fortuna (Italy) Platz 8 – Wilco Piest (Netherlands) Platz 9 – Sascha Hoyer (Germany) Platz 10 – Miguel Angel Garcia (Spain) NANO – Category “Less is more” is how to describe the Nano category. Presented works look huge and are more difficult to accomplish compared to regular sized aquariums. Platz 1 – Frederic Fuss (Germany) Platz 2 – Vladimir Tomek (Czech Republic) Platz 3 – Alexander Maletin (Russian Federation) Platz 4 – Mikolaj Weterle (Poland) Platz 5 – Andre Franken (Germany) Platz 6 – Daniel Nagy (Hungary) Platz 7 – David Barandiaran (France) Platz 8 – Swee Lim Cheah (France) Platz 9 – Lajos Nincsics (Hungary) Platz 10 – Tamas Janos Danicska (Hungary) STANDARD – Category Finally the top 10 of the most desired category. Making a head to head race, the winner is Gregoire Wolinski! Three times in a row winning EAPLC is such a great achievement, for this reason we decided to nominate Gregoire Wolinski as a honor member of the judges board 2016.   Platz 1 – Gregoire Wolinski (France) Platz 2 – Ulrich Poupin (France) Platz 3 – Annika Reinke und Marcel Runde (Germany) Platz 4 – Julien Voultoury (France) Platz 5 – Michael Reinke (France) Platz 6 – Olivier Thebaud (France) Platz 7 – Serkan Cetinkol (Turkey) Platz 8 – Amparo Piera (Spain) Platz 9 – Grigoriy Polishchuk (Ukraine) Platz 10 – Vladimir Trcka (Czech Republic) For pictures from the EAPLC, please go to the main ScapeFu049 show notes page.

Professional aquascaper, George Farmer, joins Art to talk about the UK Aquascaping Experience taking place the 5th day of March, 2016. If you will be in the UK in March, I would highly recommend that you make an effort to attend. It's free. There will be 4 events: Hardscape Challenge with a £1,000 prize - Information on how to enter the hardscape challenge Aquascaping Demonstration Photography Workshop Aquascaping Seminar Have a listen and let us know if you go.