The Leaping Rocks

**PWONG** · 16th Jun 2006, 09:40

Hello everyone! This is my first time entering your website, hope we can exchange some comments and experiences.

This year, my ADA project's name is "The Leaping Rocks" The reason I am using this name is because last year I have used cortex and cliff as my theme. However, due to my confounded choice of use in rocks, even Mr. Takashi Amano used my tank as the negative teaching material. Therefore, this year my target is to fulfill my last year's mistake and improve on it.

When I finalized to use rocks as the theme then, I realized that since rock is a dead object, and the material is way too stiff and heavy, it will be presented in a very ramrod way. This will also give people a cold and staid feeling. It will be very ironic with fishes and grass in the tank since they are so lively.

But when I was out on a tour trying to get some hints for this project, I was concentrating on different types of stones (in terms of their shapes and their distinguishing characteristics), I realized that in the nature these stones can still look very playful and energetic.

So this gave me an inspiration. I really wanted to create a grass tank that can use rocks as the theme and yet the rocks must look like they are very active and alive. But the tough part is "how can I make the rocks look alive?" What I did is to concentrate on the rock material, form, position, then use grass and fish to bring the rocks to become lively.

So much talk for the time being, right now let's look at some of the photos I took. At the same time, please don't forget to give me some suggestions or comments.

Photo 1.
Last year, Mr. Takashi Amano used my cortex and cliff theme tank as the negative teaching material, I really don't know if I should be glad or upset!

Photo 2.
The stone is placed in a slanted way. This will bring up more livelihood in the rocks. Note to put some algae on the surface, otherwise, it will not look natural

Photo 3.
Use Echinodorus Telellus, Because the leafs are curly and then this will make the rocks look very playful too

Photo 4.
Then put a group of Neon Tetra because they usually swim on the top surface where the rocks are then it will add more spice to this.

Photo 5.
This is the fullscale photo of "The Leaping Rocks" Hope you like them.

**kemp** · 16th Jun 2006, 11:02

what more to say? It's truly a masterpiece!

**|squee|** · 16th Jun 2006, 11:12

I'd have liked to see more dark green, but that's just me

There is a definate "leaping" feel there. Good job on both plant health and arrangement!

**richietay** · 16th Jun 2006, 11:14

One of the few amazing setup i have seen so far, very beautiful. Will have it shortlist under my dream tank list

.

**juggler** · 16th Jun 2006, 17:28

Very nice and very original! I am sure that will score well with Mr Amano for ADA. Good luck!

**michael lai** · 17th Jun 2006, 00:08

Hi Pissarro,
Welcome to Aquatic Quotient, great scape. I especially like your attention to details. I must say the idea is very original but being that original sometimes it falls into the 'either you like it or you don't like it' category. Nevertheless, great work and keep them coming...

**ranmasatome** · 17th Jun 2006, 03:00

This scape is very nice...
i think the rock relly do have a leaping feel to them which you have achieved very well indeed. However, i feel that they are too segmented. I can see 3 distinct portions of rocks, which if you're talking about a scape being natural, is the opposite. the plant placement and use of the kind of plants however, is excellent... the stem plants you chose only go on to accentuate the excitedness and liveliness of the "leaping rocks".

**juggler** · 17th Jun 2006, 12:34

Originally Posted by michael lai

Hi Pissarro,
Welcome to Aquatic Quotient, great scape. I especially like your attention to details. I must say the idea is very original but being that original sometimes it falls into the 'either you like it or you don't like it' category. Nevertheless, great work and keep them coming...

Agree. But Amano seem to look out for original aquascapes each year. But of course must strike a chord in him too.

**Gecko** · 18th Jun 2006, 22:03

There is a wild feel about it lower half. Upper half looks too 'well-planned'. Looks great.

**andrewtyr** · 18th Jun 2006, 23:29

Originally Posted by Gecko

There is a wild feel about it lower half. Upper half looks too 'well-planned'. Looks great.

agree, the bottom half is very well-done. You might want to tweak a little on the top half.

**dennis_yong** · 20th Jun 2006, 21:20

its nice buit i still prefer greeny look

**DudUser** · 22nd Jun 2006, 01:06

The rocks really look full of life, but i don't like the planting. Too many different types for my taste. One type of plant in the backgrund would be more my thing.

But it's still a beautiful aquascape!

Oh, and i guess you mean "Cardinal tetra", not neons.