Setup instruction for sera Hardscape Monument Rock
Inspired by the famous Monument Valley, a well structured desert landscape is being created with this hardscape. Matches the sera AquaTank with 128 liters (34 US gal.).
The package includes the following items:
- 3 x sera Rock Desert S/M
- 4 x sera Rock Desert XXL
- 1 x sera floredepot 2.4 kg (5.3 lb.)
- 1 x sera floredepot 4.7 kg (10.4 lb.)
- 1 x sera Gravel Ocher 13 l
- 1 x sera Gravel Beige 3 l
These products allow creating an impressive and varied landscape in only four steps:
1. Add nutrient soil
The sera floredepot nutrient soil is the basis for optimal plant growth and must not be missing in the Monument Rock hardscape. It is distributed in a layer approximately 2 – 3 cm (0.8 – 1.2 in.) thick in the entire aquarium. For not disturbing the final appearance of the underwater landscape, we recommend hiding the nutrient soil behind the ornamental bottom ground along the aquarium glass.
2. Add ornamental bottom ground
For the Monument Rock hardscape, sera Gravel Ocher is placed on top of the nutrient soil. Let the gravel rise from left to right. A mirrored setup from left to right is of course also possible. The second gravel type (sera Gravel Beige) excellently goes along with sera Gravel Ocher and is placed around the rocks after adding these (step 3). Small paths, e.g. through the gorges, can also be created and provide great accents.
3. Place rocks
Beginning with sera Rock Desert XXL, three of the four big rocks are placed in the left half of the aquarium. Deep gorges are thus formed between them, which can be used for retreating by the fish. A S/M rock in the foreground adds to the group of three XXL rocks. The fourth and remaining XXL stone is placed at the back right. Grouped with two more S/M rocks, the fourth and still remaining XXL rock is placed in the right background. If you wish to use the aquarium as a room divider or if it is, for instance, better viewed from the left than from the right side, the setup can also take place entirely mirrored. Filter and heater can be well hidden behind the big rocks.
A= sera Rock Desert S/M, B = sera Rock Desert XXL
4. Add plants (not included with the kit)
The following plants have been used in this setup example:
1. Vesicularia ferriei “Weeping Moss”
2. Alternanthera reineckii “Mini”
3. Pogostemon helferi
4. Eleocharis parvula
5. Cryptocoryne willisii
6. Eleocharis sp. “Xingu”
7. Cryptocoryne wendtii “Brown”
8. Cryptocoryne parva
9. Pogostemon stellatus
10. Cryptocoryne balansae
11. Bucephalandra sp.
Most of the plants are planted into the bottom ground according to the planting layout. The species Vesicularia ferriei (1.) and Bucephalandra sp. (11.) are placed on the on the rocks. They should be attached with suitable glue. It is also possible to bind them with fishing line.
Gently press a hole into the gravel with the fingers, or push it aside, for the bigger plants. Make sure the nutrient soil does not mix with the bottom ground and gets to the surface while doing so. The roots of the plants can be shortened to 2 cm (0.8 in.) if required, e.g. for planting them more easily. In case of smaller plants such as bottom covering plants, we recommend cleaving the plant carefully and without damaging single stems, and to plant them in smaller bushes with some distance to each other. This is best done with tweezers.
Tip: Before adding fish, it is worthwhile with new AquaTanks setups to wait until the plants have grown on and cannot be pulled out by the fish anymore.
