News - read the latest aquascaping tropical fishkeeping news articles

Dec 05 2012

Christmas & New Year 2012 Opening Hours

Christmas opening hours:
December 23rd, 24th, 25th, 25th, 26th Closed
27th, 28th, 29th Open
30th, 31st, January 1st Closed

Wednesday 2nd January open as usual...
Tues-Sat 10am - 6pm Open

Nov 20 2012

James Findley Aquascape Demo at National Aquarium Workshop 2012 - Blue Planet Aquarium

Blue Planet Aquarium logo

On November 14th 2012 James Findley performed an aquascaping demonstration to delegates at the National Aquarium Workshop (NAW) 2012. The even was held at Blue Planet Aquarium near Chester, UK.

Professional aquarists from across the nation travelled to the event. Among the crowd were representatives from many public aquaria who came together for this special event. Having so many professionals under one roof resulted in an excellent atmosphere!

James transported Five Stones Aquascape to the event as an example of a mature, grown-in tank.

Over the course of two sessions, he introduced the aquascaping concept and talked the audience through what he was doing as he set up an Iwagumi style layout.

A question/answer session followed with many enthusiastic budding and experienced aquascapers.

After the event the aquarium was transported back to The Green Machine in Wrexham where it will be maintained as a public display. Come and see how our latest display is growing in!

James Findley at Blue Planet Aquarium

Scroll down on the main article for pictures fo the event.

Oct 14 2012

Eheim Filters at New Lower Prices!

Our prices are now fiercely competitive across the whole Eheim filter range- even against Internet-only stores!

We are very excited to be able to offer Eheim filters at new lower prices across the entire range! These new prices still come with our excellent customer care including our famous after sales support. We have long been believers in Eheim filters- they do a great job.

Oct 03 2012

The Green Machine Wins 2012 PFK Awards!

We're pleased to announce that we've won the following awards in the Practical Fishkeeping Magazine 2012 Readers' Poll:

November issue of PFK on sale now!

Sep 28 2012

James Findley at Blue Planet Aquarium

Blue Planet Aquarium logo In November this year, James Findley will be doing a planted tank demonstration at The Blue Planet Aquarium, Ellesmere Port.

This will be part of an event called the National Aquarium Workshop (NAW). James was invited to be the main speaker by the organisers.

Photos from this event have now been published here.

Watch this space for more details on the event.

Don't worry if you can't make it to the event - the demo will be filmed and released on our YouTube channel.

More details on the NAW 2012 here »

Sep 26 2012

80 New NANO pieces of Redmoor Root Wood added to our e-shop!

80 new NANO pieces of Redmoor Root Wood added to our e-shop all with 360° photos! That makes a total of approx. 330 pieces. Not to mention the rest of our hardscape range!

Browse them now (the new pieces have codes starting RMNA) »

Sep 10 2012

New Hardscape Added!

20+ New large pieces of Redmoor Root Wood added to our e-shop... each with 360° photos! Browse them here.

80+ New Pieces of Sumatra Drift Wood just added to our e-shop... all with individual photos so you know exactly what you're buying... Browse them here.

Jul 24 2012

IAPLC 2012 2nd Round Grading - James casts his votes!

International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (IAPLC) 2012: Voting Begins!
The top 200 aquascapes have been selected by the IAPLC steering commitee which includes Practical Fishkeeping Magazine Editor Jeremy Gay. You can see the top 200 entries (in no specific order) on this page.

2nd round grading is in progress; the contest participants, aquarium stores selected by ADA and aquarium magazine editors of the world will vote on the layouts from these 200 candidates over the internet.

James Findley carefully graded and selected his three votes... his comments on his choices include;

"complex and effective use of plants and wood. A real slice of riverbank"

"some fine root like wood in use and good use of free space centrally. Minimal use of plant species throws further attention to the decor used here"

"A very original layout and minimal use of plant species further heightens the graphic qualities of this scape"

We will publish James' full reviews at a later date along with identifying the three he voted for.

Final selection of the Grand Prize winner, and top 100 world ranking layouts will be decided by counting the results of the votes at the Nature Aquarium Party on October 27th at Tokyo International Forum.

See the top 200 layouts for yourself...