Make a neat and straight substrate line. Avoid the front side from becoming too thick. Adding a slight slope from front to back gives an additional sense of depth to the layout.
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## 1

### Installing Aquarium Tank

#### Place a 60cm-width Cube Garden    quietly on a Cube Cabinet.

Installing Aquarium Tank

60cm aquarium tank is recommended for

making your very first Nature Aquarium.

Make sure your aquarium is level.

level gauge

##### ①Check for levelness

Install a Cube Cabinet on an adequately strong and stable floor. Make sure it is level by using a level gauge.

Garden Mat

##### ②Place a Garden Mat

Garden Mat is designed to absorb distortion of aquarium cabinet. Be sure to use it for enhanced safety.

Garden Mat

## 2

### ADA’s Live Substrate System

#### Substrate is a place where aquatic plants    spread their roots. Create an environment where    plant roots have a symbiotic relationship    with bacteria and microorganisms.

Organic compounds in the substrate are broken down into inorganic compounds, which will eventually be absorbed by aquatic plants through their roots. “Live substrate” means the substrate that is rich in bacteria having a symbiotic relationship with aquatic plant roots.

ADA’s Live Substrate SystemADA’s Live Substrate System

↓

##### Make a Neat Substrate Line

Make a neat and straight substrate line. Avoid the front side from becoming too thick. Adding a slight slope from front to back gives an additional sense of depth to the layout.

Make a Neat Substrate Line

## 3

### Making the Framework of Layout

#### Driftwood serves as a framework of the composition.    Place driftwood in a stable condition while    considering a good right/left and front/back balance.    There is no need to arrange driftwood    in a complicated manner.

Making of Nature Aquarium aquascape, which recreates nature within an aquarium, starts with making up the composition. This process is done by placing driftwood and stones to form the overall balance and make the framework of the aquascape. After that, aquatic plants are chosen and planted. Decide your own layout composition and plant the aquatic plants of your choice – Nature Aquarium is to create “your original nature”, which is the only one in the world, in an aquarium.

Making the Framework of Layout

##### Three Basic Compositions

There are three basic patterns of composition for Nature Aquarium: triangular, convex and concave. They are easy to make and good for planted aquarium beginners.

Convex Composition

###### Convex Composition

The most difficult of the three basic compositions to achieve good balance. Balance between right and left open space is critical.

Concave Composition

###### Concave Composition

The most popular composition for the planted aquarium. Ensure some open space in the center.

Triangular Composition

###### Triangular Composition

Composition with wider open space at either the right or left side. Pay attention to the angle of the driftwood which constitutes the hypotenuse of a triangle.

## 4

### Planting Starts with Foreground Plants

#### To achieve elaborate planting of aquatic plants,   adequate preparation prior to planting and   the planting technique with Pinsettes are required.

Planting Starts with Foreground Plants

Willow moss

Foreground plants

##### Planting Made Easy with Shallow Water

Planting work will be easier if the water is poured to the level at which the substrate is barely covered with water. Doing this prevents aquatic plants from being buoyant and hands from getting wet.

##### Attaching Willow Moss to Driftwood for Enhanced Natural Feel

Willow moss is an essential plant for any aquarium layout that uses driftwood. It is attached to the wood using Moss Cotton. The use of Riccia Line is recommended for attaching less epiphytic plants such as South American moss.

Willow moss

Place a thin layer of willow moss and tie it tightly onto the driftwood using Moss Cotton.

Trim off the protruding willow moss with scissors for a tidy appearance.

Moss Cotton

##### Prepare Foreground Plants

Foreground plants do not require much preparation, but the method of preparation does depend on the species of plant. Choose the foreground plants to be used based on the image and height of each species. Before planting, they should basically be divided into small bunches that are easy to hold with tweezers.

Prepare Foreground Plants

Remove rock wool.

Spread out for convenience in dividing.

Divide into small bunches and arrange in rows.

##### Basic Planting Method of Aquatic Plants

Basic Planting Method of Aquatic Plants

Tilt the aquatic plant against the substrate to plant it. Doing this decreases the buoyancy and the plant will not easily float out of the substrate.

###### Pinsettes L

Pinsettes L is a must for planting of aquatic plants.

###### Tips of ADA Pinsettes

ADA’s Pinsettes are designed for professional use. With this high-precision tweezers having the tips that meet perfectly, you can even hold small foreground plants securely.

↓Planted aquarium made easy with Wabi-kusa -  Foreground Plants

##### Planted aquarium made easy with Wabi-kusa - Foreground Plants

Wabi-Kusa Glossostigma 5Ø

Wabi-Kusa Hemianthus callitrichoides 5Ø

Wabi-Kusa Eleochalis acicularis 5Ø

## 5

### Planting Mid-Ground Plants

#### A seamless link between foreground & background    plants and concealing of unsightly bottom portion of    stem plants – Consider these for mid-ground planting.

Planting Mid-Ground Plants

Microsorum sp. (Trident)

Bolbitis heudelotii

Cryptocoryne albida

Cryptocoryne beckettii var. petchii

Cryptocoryne wendtii

(Brown)

##### Plant Cryptocoryne species in the mid-ground

Mid-ground of aquarium tends to be in the shade of driftwood and others. Choose shade-loving plants such as Cryptocoryne and epiphytic plants.

Plant Cryptocoryne species in the mid-ground

In many cases, roots protruding from the pot indicate a healthy, strong plant.

Carefully remove the rock wool between the roots with Pinsettes S.

The plant may be divided into around two portions depending on the layout.

##### Attach epiphytic aquatic plants to    driftwood to create attractive mid-ground.

Epiphytic plants include Microsorum, Bolbitis and Anubias species.

To prepare these plants, place the roots around a small stone and secure them

with Wood Tight. Damaged leaves should be cut off from the base of the leaf stem.

Attach epiphytic aquatic plants to driftwood to create attractive mid-ground.

Prepare a stone of such size that it can be hidden under the roots.

Cover the stone with the roots and hold them.

Attach the plant firmly to the stone with Wood Tight.

Twist the Wood Tight to fix and cut off the excessive part.

Wood Tight

## 6

### Lastly, Planting the Background Plants

#### Choose the background plants mainly    from stem plants and tape-like plants. The balance of    leaf shapes and colors is important.

Planting the Background Plants

It is recommended to use a bamboo stick to determine the balance in planting for the stem plants in the back ground.

Hygrophila polysperma

Ludwigia arcuata

Rotala macrandra (Green)

Rotala indica

Red aquatic plants such as Rotala indica should basically be planted at the focal point of the layout.

Planted aquarium made easy with Wabi-kusa -  Stem Plants

##### Planted aquarium made easy with Wabi-kusa - Stem Plants

Wabi-kusa Stemmed Plants Mix 9Ø

Wabi-kusa Stemmed Plants Mix Red 9Ø

Wabi-kusa Rotala sp. ‘Ceylon’

##### The height of each stem plant species    should be aligned as much as possible during planting.

The height of stem plant species

Align the level of terminal bud of each stem plant.

Cut the bottom of the stem to the intended height.

Hemianthus micranthemoides

##### Hemianthus micranthemoideswith    fine narrow leaves should be planted    in a cluster of a few stems.

Hemianthus

micranthemoides

##### Plant the stem plants while tilting them against the planting direction to achieve a dense and neat finish.

Stem plant

### Completion of Planting and Pouring Water

#### Once the planting is completed, gently pour the water over your hand and then into the aquarium tank. At this time, be careful not to hollow the substrate surface. In the event of cloudy aquarium water, pour fresh water while draining the cloudy water.

Completion of Planting and Pouring WaterChlor Off

Chlor Off

Removes toxic residual chlorine in tap water.

## 7

### Installation of equipment

#### Once the equipment such as lighting system,    CO2 system and filter are installed,    the setup of the aquarium is completed.

Install the equipment necessary for growing aquatic plants to complete the aquascape. The Nature Aquarium Goods offer a wide range of equipment that employ all the know-how of ADA.

Installation of equipment

#### “Light” and “CO2” are essential for thriving aquatic plants and more natural aquascape.

Aquatic plants grow using photosynthesis. “Light” and “CO2” are essential for plants to perform photosynthesis.

LIGHTING SYSTEM

##### LIGHTING SYSTEM

“Light intensity” and “light quality” are requirements for lighting systems. Aquatic plants will not grow well if the light intensity is insufficient. Quality of light is indicated by underwater light penetration and blue light penetrates further in water. ADA’s lighting systems are excellent in both light intensity and quality. On top of it, they also feature an excellent stylish design.

AQUASKY

CO2 SYSTEM

##### CO2 SYSTEM

Adequate CO2 supply to the aquarium promotes photosynthesis of aquatic plants and leads to a stable environment with abundant oxygen. To ensure more efficient CO2 supply, we need to know how we should do it. The point is the correct supply time and adjustment of CO2 supply amount. CO2 Advanced System is the optimal equipment for CO2 supply.

CO2 SYSTEM

CO2 SYSTEM

#### “Filter” system is necessary to keep the aquarium water clean.

Aquarium water gets very dirty if it is left untreated. To keep the aquarium water clean, Nature Aquarium filters the water by three different steps of “physical filtration”, “chemical filtration” and “biological filtration”.

FILTRATION SYSTEM

NA Carbon or Anthracite

＋

Bio Cube

↓

Physical filtration

Removes contaminants just like straining through a mesh.

Bio Rio

＋

Bio Cube

↓

Chemical filtration

Purifies water by using filter media that absorb visible impurities in water.

Bio Rio

↓

Biological filtration

Purifies water with the help of bacteria in the filter media.

FILTRATION SYSTEM

Bio Rio

Bio Cube

NA Carbon

↓

Do not add fish to the aquarium yet.

#### Do not add fish to the aquarium yet.

You would feel like adding fish to the aquarium immediately after the planting is done and the equipment have been installed. However, you should swallow the temptation and wait. One of the failures frequently observed among beginner aquarists is adding fish to a newly setup aquarium and ending up seeing it dead. During the first two to three weeks after the setup when the filter system (biological filtration) is not yet fully functioning, the aquarium water may contain ammonia and other substance which can harm the fish. It is advised to add fish to the aquarium only after the aquatic plants firmly take roots and grow lush and healthy. Conduct a water quality check using Pack Checker to make sure that the environment within the aquarium is good for fish.

Pack Checker

Pack Checker

NH4

Pack Checker

NO2

Pack Checker

NO3

## 8

### Completion of Planting to    Initial Maintenance

#### Conduct daily water change and take action against    algae for one to two weeks after setup of aquarium.

Ideal to conduct water change everyday

##### Ideal to conduct water change everyday

Water purification by beneficial bacteria cannot be expected in a newly setup aquarium. Therefore, it is necessary to change water to keep the aquarium water clean. Daily water change is crucial.

Removal of diatoms

##### Removal of diatoms

The algae observed in the initial stage of the aquarium are mainly diatoms. They are soft and fluffy and in green or dark brown color. They grow on the surfaces of the aquarium glass walls and aquatic plant leaves. Ensure the early detection of diatoms and get rid of them biologically and manually.

##### Animals effective for algae removal

Cardina japonica

###### Cardina japonica

It is advisable to add 20-30 Cardina japonica to a 60cm aquarium. Diatoms will quickly disappear.

Otocinclus

###### Otocinclus

This fish sucks glass and leaf surface and eat the algae. Add about 3-5 Otocinclus to a 60cm aquarium.

↓

##### Water change procedures effective for algae removal

Scraping off of algae with Pro Razor

###### Scraping off of algae with Pro Razor

Firstly, scrape off algae on the glass, driftwood and stones with an appropriate tool.

Suctioning out algae and dirt with a hose

###### Suctioning out algae and dirt with a hose

Suction out with a hose the removed algae, filamentous green algae and accumulated dirt on the substrate surface.

Removing residual chlorine

###### Removing residual chlorine

Remove harmful residual chlorine in tap water by adding Chlor-Off to the water before pouring it into the aquarium.

Pouring water into aquarium

###### Pouring water into aquarium

Pour the water in the pail gently into the aquarium. Now, the water change process is completed.

##### Nutrients necessary in the initial stage of aquarium

Nutrients necessary in the initial stage of aquarium

Green Bacter

Food for microorganisms

GREEN BRIGHTY MINERAL

Promotes production of

new leaves

GREEN BRIGHTY NEUTRAL K

Enhances leaf color and

promotes photosynthesis

of aquatic plants

## 9

### Trimming for Completion of    Aquascape

#### Aquatic plants become denser by trimming.    Repeated trimming is important.

First trimming

#### First trimming

1-2 weeks after setup

Trimming Scissors

#### Trimming Scissors

(Curve type)

###### What makes these scissors special?

The value of scissors is determined by their blade edge. The trimming tool of Nature Aquarium Goods adopts double-layer high-hardness tungsten steel for its blade edge to ensure outstanding sharpness.

Willow moss taking root

###### Willow moss taking root

Moss Cotton gradually biodegrades when the willow moss starts taking root to the driftwood.

12 drops of Green Gain

###### 12 drops of Green Gain

Add about 12 drops of Green Gain after trimming. New leaves will start growing in about one week.

↓

About 3-4 weeks after setup

#### About 3-4 weeks after setup

Adjustment of CO2 supply rate

###### Adjustment of CO2 supply rate

Now that the aquatic plants are growing vigorously and the total volume of plants has increased, the CO2 supply is adjusted to “3 bubbles per second”.

ECA for enhanced red color

###### ECA for enhanced red color

The leaf color of aquatic plants can be enhanced by adding iron-rich ECA to the aquarium. It is effective especially for red aquatic plants.

CO2 Beetle Counter　Pollen Glass

CO2 Bubble

Counter

Pollen Glass

ECA

ECA

↓

#### Repeat trimming to make aquatic plants grow denser.

About 5-7 weeks after setup

#### About 5-7 weeks after setup

Suctioning out filamentous algae

###### Suctioning out filamentous algae

Filamentous algae grow as stem plants become lush. They will multiply rapidly if left untreated. If you find algae in your tank, remove them quickly with a hose and brush.

Initial trimming position should be low

###### Initial trimming position should be low

Plant density increases by gradually shifting the trimming position higher up the plant. The initial trimming position should be the lower part of the plant.

Second trimming

###### Second trimming

5 weeks from setup

Third trimming

###### Third trimming

6 weeks from setup

## 10

### Add Fish, the Main Figure of the    Aquascape, to Aquarium

#### Once aquatic plants have grown healthily and    water quality has become stable, it is finally    the time to add fish to the aquarium.

Before adding fish, measure the water quality with Pack Checker to be certain. If the Pack Checker does not detect any nitrite, you may add fish to the aquarium. Enjoy thinking what species of fish can match your original aquascape which is only one in the world. It would be a great pleasure to see the fish of your choice perfectly matches the aquascape. However, you should keep in mind that some species of fish cannot be introduced to Nature Aquarium which uses a lot of aquatic plants. Be careful not to add the fish which feed on aquatic plants.

Water quality check

Pack Checker NO2

###### Water quality check

Closely observe the aquarium condition before adding fish to the aquarium. Ammonia is usually detected in newly setup aquarium and as ammonia declines, nitrite will be detectable. Nitrite is harmful to aquatic life. It is advised to add fish to your aquarium only after you measure the nitrite level with Pack Checker. Make sure that no nitrite is detected in the aquarium water.

Adding fish to an aquarium

###### Adding fish to an aquarium

Do not simply open the plastic bag and put the fish in the tank together with the water in the bag. It may impose a shock on the fishes. Firstly, put the plastic bag containing the fish in the aquarium water and let it float unopened for about 15-30 minutes to allow the temperatures to adjust. Then, slowly add the aquarium water into the plastic bag to eliminate the difference in water quality. Now, it is ready for the fishes to be added into your aquarium.

For daily feeding

AP Glass

###### For daily feeding

Leftover food caused by overfeeding can deteriorate the aquarium water quality. You should feed the fish with an amount that the fishes can consume in 10-30 seconds.

Fish Food

AP PREMIUM

Fish Food

AP-1

ADA’s Fish Food Series

ADA’s Fish Food series has been developed in pursuit of creating artificial plankton. It contains the nutrients richer than natural plankton and suits the taste of fish.

## 11

### Completed Aquascape    (8 weeks after setup)

#### A layout based on a triangular composition,    consisting of a driftwood framework with    stem plants in the background

Completed Aquascape (8 weeks after setup)

Water change: 1/3 water change once a week

Water quality: Water temperature 25℃ pH:6.8　TH:20mg/L

###### NATURE AQUARIUM GOODS DATA

AQUARIUM TANK

Cube Garden

W60×D30×H36（cm）

LIGHTING SYSTEM

Solar II

(NA Lamp 36W Twin x 2) Lighting for 10 hours a day

SUBSTRATE SYSTEM

Power Sand S

Aqua Soil-Amazonia

Bacter 100

Clear Super

Tourmaline BC

FILTRATION SYSTEM

Super Jet Filter

ES-600

Aeration with Lily Pipe P-2

for 14 hours while

lighting is OFF at night

New Lily Pipe

Bio Rio

NA Carbon

CO2 SYSTEM

Pollen Glass

CO2 Bubble Counter

CO2 System

74-YA/Ver.2

CO2 System

74-Tropical Forest NO.3

LIQUID FERTILIZERS & ADDITIVES

GREEN BRIGHTY NEUTRAL K

GREEN BRIGHTY MINERAL

GREEN BRIGHTY IRON

Green Gain

ECA

###### AQUATIC PLANTS DATA

Hygrophila polysperma

Hygrophila

polysperma

Ludwigia arcuata

Ludwigia

arcuata

Hemianthus micranthemoides

Hemianthus micranthemoides

Rotala macrandra (Green)

Rotala macrandra

(Green)

Rotala indica

Rotala indica

Cryptocoryne albida

Cryptocoryne

albida

Cryptocoryne beckettii var. petchii

Cryptocoryne beckettii

var. petchii

Cryptocoryne wendtii (Brown)

Cryptocoryne wendtii

(Brown)

Marsilea angustifolia

Marsilea

angustifolia

Bolbitis heudelotii

Bolbitis heudelotii

Microsorum sp. (Trident)

Microsorum sp.

(Trident)

Taxiphyllum barbieri

Taxiphyllum barbieri

###### FISH SPECIES DATA

Inpaichthys kerri

Inpaichthys kerri

Hyphessobrycon sweglesi

Hyphessobrycon

sweglesi

Nannostomus beckfordi

Nannostomus

beckfordi

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

Mikrogeophagus

ramirezi

Cardina japonica

Cardina japonica

Otocinclus

Otocinclus

## 12

### Daily Maintenance to Keep    a Beautiful Aquascape

#### The essence of Nature Aquarium is to maintain    the beautiful aquascape.

Nature aquarium is maintained in a beautiful condition by daily maintenance including water quality adjustment, nutrient supplementation, algae removal and trimming. With the passage of time, the aquascape will have a profound taste beyond human intentions. The ultimate goal we pursue is to create a “Glass no Naka no Daishizen (nature created in the glass)”.

##### NA Goods Necessary for Maintenance of Aquascape

1.GREEN BRIGHTY NEUTRAL K

2.GREEN BRIGHTY MINERAL

Phase of plant growth (Up to 2 months after initial set-up)

or

1.GREEN BRIGHTY NEUTRAL K

2.GREEN BRIGHTY MINERAL

3.GREEN BRIGHTY IRON

Maturing phase (2-3months)

Green Gain

For the post-trimming care of aquatic plants

Bio Rio

Only Bio Rio is used from the 2nd month after setup

Iron Bottom

Nutrients for aquatic plants

Insert it deep inside the substrate

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