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Summer Time is Wabi-Kusa Time....get your Wabi on!

Image of Wabi-kusa by James FindleySummer is on its way… which means it is the perfect time to experiment with your first Wabi-kusa!

Wabi-kusa can be kept all year round, but are a little easier to keep in summer when the weather is naturally warmer.

Wabi-Kusa

Read on to learn about the origins of Wabi-kusa and then click on the video link at the bottom of the page, or go straight to the Wabi-kusa video tutorial by James Findley by clicking here.

This month we check out the very latest concept to hit the aquascaping market; Wabi-kusa.

Aquascaping: A Whole New Dimension

Shallow Aquariums

The ADA Cube Garden-F series is a range of shallow aquariums.  These aquariums open a whole new world to the aquascaper, allowing creativity to flow freely and imagination to run wild! If you don't see the size you want please contact us for a quote for a custom build Opti-white aquarium.

Professional aquascaper and founder of The Green Machine James Findley explains that not only are these aquariums incredibly fun to work with, but they also make it very simple to achieve outstanding results, and present ample opportunity for individual experimentation and artistic interpretation.

James Findley’s latest work entitled ‘Tributary’ demonstrates what can be achieved with these unusual aquariums:

‘Tributary’ Aquascape by James Findley

Tributary Aquascape Photo

Building up height in Substrate

It can be very difficult to build up higher areas in substrate, because when water is added the substrate may collapse and fall towards the front of the tank. This can be extremely frustrating and may limit the boundaries to which an aquascaper may push themselves.

You can now buy TGM Substrate Supports which are designed for this purpose by James.

Aquarium Substrates Explained

The definition of ‘substrate’ is; ‘a substance or layer that underlies something, or on which some process occurs’. Therefore the term substrate can include any material that makes up the base layer of the aquascape, and this can include gravels, sands etc.

In recent times, specifically made products have come onto the marketplace from well-known manufacturers which are designed specifically to encourage plant growth. To keep this article concise we will mainly cover two of the most effective kinds of substrate available today;

How to Make Your Planted Tank Sparkle this Christmas!

If you want your underwater world to look particularly lovely for a special occasion, a little planning is the key. Here is our guide to getting your tank looking great for Christmas or any other special event. There is nothing better than having a stunning, well maintained aquascape in the house when you are going to spend lots of time around it and we're sure any visitors will agree!

Aquatic Layout Guide- Rules of Composition: The Golden Ratio, Creating Perspective and Layout Shapes

Aquascapes, like all art forms, have a plethora of rules of guidance and application. These rules exist to guide us towards success, and succeed in doing so. But remember: rules exist only to guide, and a skilled artist can actually enhance their work by bending or breaking the accepted rules if done so in just the right artistic manner: aquatic artistry is no different.

Iwagumi Aquascapes: An Introduction

The term Iwagumi is commonplace in the aquascaping world.  It is used to refer to an aquascape that traditionally uses stone as the only hardscape material.  Iwagumi’s are captivating and beautiful: they seem to have a mystical sense to them and an ability to captivate even the most fidgety of people – it is hard to forget your first Iwagumi, but what exactly is an Iwagumi?  Read on to find out...

Iwagumi Aquascape Photograph

The Story of ADA Super Jet Filters: A Note from Takashi Amano

The Story of Super Jet Filters: A Note from Takashi Amano, founder of ADA

ADA Super Jet FilterThe ADA Difference

Aqua Design Amano (ADA) is not like other aquatic companies: it was developed by famous aquascaper Takashi Amano as a result of his passion for the Nature Aquarium.  

This means that everything that ADA produces is carefully researched and developed and then tried and tested to the standards of Mr. Takashi Amano himself. 

As a result of this, every ADA product has a unique story behind it. This article takes an in-depth look at the revolutionary ADA Super Jet Filters.  ADA Super Jet Filters are internationally acclaimed not just for their design, but also for their performance.  The quality of the ADA Filter is quite clearly second to none.

Why We Don't Stock LED Lighting

UPDATE: We now stock LEDs! Click here to read the article explaingin why...

The Arrival of LEDs

At The Green Machine we are always on the look out for new and innovative products, so when LEDs came to the market we were very excited at the prospect of a more economical lighting solution for the planted aquarium.  

LEDs were heralded as a miracle solution for aquarium hobbyists and have been marketed as a money saving device, despite being significantly more expensive than many other types of lighting.

Unfortunately, we have recently been inundated with customers who have purchased expensive LEDs and been extremely disappointed with the results, to the extent that they have had to buy a standard light to replace their LED.  The frustrations and disappointments of our customers have encouraged us to produce this brief summary of why we don’t stock LEDs at the present time.