World's Best Aquariums 2008

Something to aspire to??

While I agree that the tanks are stunning and major praise is due to the skill of the creators, it's kind of obvious that these are more underwater gardens than true aquariums. Each of them only has one small shoaling species almost as an afterthought. In my case, I keep fish, not plants so I'll take my not-so-impressive planting - but lovely, varied fish communities - anyday. That's my excuse anyway!

Can you imagine the amount of time and effort that goes into getting a tank to look like that?

I agree with you Mary. The tanks are 'landscaped' beautifully, but the fish in these type of tanks always seem to be a bit of an afterthought. I have even read on some sites that people wont get certain fish because their colours would clash with the plants, which just seems a step too far.

Oh I do like the look of some of them It is weird the effect some of them have - they look almost like a park that just happens to be underwater. I wonder how they go about that - do they get the plants established and then add the fish when they have all grown do you think, or put them all in together and just prune/change as they need to?

It must take years for them to get to that standard, but I really like it.

I would love to know the process used - might be something to think of for my new tank

I would think with set ups like these you would use a undergravel filter system here
so not to turf anything up when cleaning with vac..

For one thing, they have to use very high power lighting so it's not a cheap undertaking by any means.