Aquarium Emersed plants project

I have been wanting to do this emersed aqua planting project a long time ago from an under utililised breeding box.   The concept rekindled yesterday when I saw varous beautiful emersed aqua plants on display at SV.  Thus I bought the basic to start off another project..

800g GEX plants/shrimps soil
Breeding box
2 different flowering plants (Hygrophila sp "Araguaia" and Proserpinaca Palustris (Mermaid Weed)

I filled up 90% of the breeding box with GEX soil to create depth for the roots. Submersed the box slightly below water surface to avoid water clogging and thus became unncessary breeding ground for mosquito. Fully submersed box also creates new playground for fishes/shrimps which in turn add fertlisers to the soil. Thus you see the dual purposes there.

Final result for further monitoring. The plants are now closely exposed to my T5HO light. I have added a few drops of green liquid fertliser to the soil too.

*finger crossed* Anyone tried this method with good result?

Floating Garden inside my tank

You think you have no land space in your aquarium?  Make one with a small wire mesh, two mini suction cups and any low tech plants of your choice:-

Bend a small rentangular mesh wire and superglue two suction cups to hold them to your tank wall.
Back

Front
I sew Java Moss and mini nanas onto the wire (both hardy plants).

Side View 

Mount them on the tank

Bucephlandra (Various specimens)

The beauty of Borneo Native Plants is here. I acquired these rare plants thru AQ forum's friend. These will be my initial "experiment pieces"  for my low tech tank.

Another Unidentified plant

I have this plant awaiting identification.  Apparently it has "star dust" effect on its leaves and quite similar to the characteristic displayed by Bucephalandra. LFS's vendor told me it will turn red with enough dose of  iron fertiliser and is meant to be rooted...hmm  Here are pics for closer look, hope anyone can tell me what it is.  I strongly hope it is another Bucephalandra specimen.

 All ready to go into my tank

Done and hope for the best outcome in times to come
They are strategically placed under my ehiem's outflow rainbar, to mimick their natural habitat under the flowing river - research via Youtube.

UPDATED 14 JUNE 2013
Almost all my Bucephlandra send out new shoots.

Not as difficult as many thought they were, my green fingers at work again or was it my SEACHEM EXCEL that performed miracle?

Update: 08 March 2014
Looking good with many new shoots..

AQUARAMA 2013 (01 - 02 June)

SANDS EXPO AND CONVENTION CENTER

Finally, the long awaited Aquarama has returned to the City, next to Sands Casino.

Armed with an outdated, lousy camera and with no budget to spare, I cannot resist joining the crowds.

NANO TANKS

I was greeted with dozen of Nano tanks upon entering the hall.  Here are few snapshots of the "detailed" specimens inside the tank. I skipped the full tank shot due to difficulty adjusting my cam and also the tanks on display ain't big  and may appear blurry due to lightings not suitable for my cheap camera. A nice way of saying, I am just plain lazy  :)

LOW TECH PLANTS
Simply, simple and pleasureable. Not a difficult project I suppose, but doing it is a different "back-breaking" story.

PRICE WINNING TANKS
Here include some outstanding competition nanos and bigger size tanks.

GIANT BETTA
Hundreds of bettas were put up for competition, but it was the giant betta that drew my attention. Did I mention I was once a betta fan when I first started this blog? Go look for it.

WILD BETTA (GLADIATOR)
Name fit for a lion killer, but this "jumper" may become cat's meal if you didn't cover your tank with lid.

GIANT GOLD FISH
It came in numerous varieties and I took only a few specimens after being pushed and shoved while aiming for the best shot.  I am more interested in taking photo of their facial "expression".They look cute "mumbling" .

THAILAND BOOTH
Thai magazine with many colorful photos and useful informations.  See some of the pages below which speak volume.

TAIWAN BOOTH
Different types of shrimps on SALES at pretty good price.

INDONESIA BOOTH
The soft flyers of various Bucephalandra specimen. I wish the boss can consider a sharper photographs and in postcard format. One of the biggest Booth, also selling these plants to visitors at "reasonable" rate, by collector's standard.

OTHER EYES TREAT
Dyed Arowana

Mini Lobsters - Red, Blue and White specimen

Tatooed Fish, how vain was that?

Floating Jelly fish, you can't touch it.

FISH FOOD
Sample given out free in small packs. I took what was needed (5 different packs but I showed only two here) for my fish/shrimps and also bought two small tubs, at the Italian booth, for a price equivalent to heartland's (not sand's foodcourt) chicken rice meal.

HELLO!!
Say "Hi" to this colourful feathered friend at Petmart and than bid farewell for the day.

Many more "Hi resolution"  photos and the Show ambience, taken by a friend here..
http://adf.ly/4253880/aquarama2013