[AGA-Contest] "Natural/Soil-Based" category for AGA 2005?

["Phil Edwards" <biotypical@hotmail.com>]

I was just commenting over at APC regarding our/their 2005 contest and came 
up with some thoughts about soil-based/natural aquascapes.  What do you 
think?

My definition of a natural aquarium is one where there is no external 
supplimentation to un-naturally stimulate growth.  Some supplimentation is 
necessary to maintain plant health dependant on regional water chemistry.  
ie: Charlotte water is really soft and lacking in minerals so I may have to 
add a little calcium or something to make up for an essential deficiency.   
This rules out regular/sustained use of CO2, PMDD, and any commercial plant 
suppliments.  We're already on an honor system, this would just have to be 
an extention of that.

...I feel it would be good to have a separate category/system for soil-based 
"natural" or "no-tech" tanks.  There are things that one just can't do in a 
natural tank that are taken for granted in artifically supplimented tanks.  
Natural tanks also have their own flavor/traits that are separate of 
"artifical" aquariums.  A spectacular natural aquarium, one that is a true 
achievement of its type, would/could look very different than an artificial 
tank simply because the metabolic limitations prohibit the excessive 
grooming that an artificial tank can withstand.  I've been putzing around 
some fish forums and am finding these "Walstad" tanks to be gaining 
popularity with people.  Having a separate grouping for tanks like this 
could introduce a whole new demographic to the hobby.

Thoughts?


_______________________________________________
AGA-Contest mailing list
AGA-Contest@thekrib.com
http://lists.thekrib.com/mailman/listinfo/aga-contest