New Company Info: Matt Helgeson
knows how to set up and maintain lush planted aquariums. He is just
starting a brand new business providing his services to home and business
owners who would like one or more of these aquaria in their own home and/or
business. If you want more info on services and prices, you can
contact Matt at
matt_helgeson@hotmail.com. Copy and paste his address to your
email if this link does not work for you. LA
MH
Matt and his 75-gallon aquarium.
MH
Same tank at a different stage.
Matt Helgeson
Credentials: Graduate of Horticulture from Iowa State. 2007
Bachelor and 2009 Masters. My interest in planted aquariums began in
2006 when I was inspired by photos from the AGA international Aquascaping
Contest.
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2000.cgi?&op=showpage&name=prizes
Note: If this link does
not work for you, copy and paste it to your browser.
LA
I started with a 55 gallon aquarium and mastered the techniques after a year
which led to my current rimless 75 gallon high-tech setup. The aquarium is
injected with carbon dioxide to help meet the plants' demand for carbon,
which leads to fast and lush plant growth. Advanced lighting and
fertilization are also used in addition to plant-specific substrate. Common
filtration can be used, but an Ocean Clear filter with a large pump provides
simple filter maintenance and superior circulation. More simple techniques
and common aquarium equipment can be used in a low-tech setup, which can be
just as beatiful, but the growth is much slower without the addition of
CO2.
A planted aquairum is totally different than any other type of aquarium.
For me the focus is on the plants, but fish are still an imporant aspect of
the tank. Large groups of schooling fish look particularly good in a
planted tank. Snails and shrimp add another dimension.
MH
Good mix of plant colors, shapes, and sizes.
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Smaller aquarium. Still lots to see.
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Same tank.
MH
His tanks are alive and thus constantly changing.
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Very lush coverage of the substrate.
Plus some pix from me. LA
LA
Matt's 75-gallon planted aquarium. Same as above at a different stage
in development.
LA
The "internal workin's" contained in the stand below.
LA
Yes, there are fish in the tank -- adult cardinal tetras flitting about
amongst the lush foliage.
LA
Up closer to the livestock.
LA
Great stand of
Java Fern.
LA
Lush growth of Java Moss.
LA
Cryptocorynes
I can't even identify.
LA
Mini-shrimp in there also. Here's a female
cherry
red shrimp. Males
are redder.
LA
About 80 dime-size
Nerite Snails help
control the algae on the glass and on the plant leaves.
LA
The tiny cherry red shrimp (upper left) also eat algae.
LA
Here's another one of Matt's planted tanks. This one contains harlquin
rasboras.
In Summary: Matt's approach
does not come cheap. However, if you like the looks of this approach
to planted aquaria, you can contact Matt at
matt_helgeson@hotmail.com.
LA
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