The Springs at the North Side of Mount Tai in Shandong, China

_th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2020

Volume: 243 L
Dimensions: 90 x 90 x 30 cm
List of fishes: Lefua costata, Gnathopogon tsinanensis, Rhinogobius brunneus, Cipangopaludina cahayensis, Pseudorasbora parva, Rhinogobius similis, Abbottina rivularis, Rhodeus ocellatus,
List of
plants: Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton crispus, Phragmites australis, Spirogyra communis
Description of decorations: I took back some water, stone, tree branches, fish, and conch shells from Mount Tai. Branches and leaves(Chinese pine, Pinus densiflora; Japanese red pine, Robinia pseudoacacia; locust, Chinese chestnut; castanea mollissima, persimmon),Mount Tai stone, Mount Tai sand.
Description of equipment: Metal halide lamp150W of Odesi, filter:
Atman CF1000,Sunsun LW-603
Water parameters: TDS:84
24℃
PH 8.0

Additional info:

INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE:

Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The Springs at the North Side of Mount Tai in Shandong China Jinan is famous for its spring water. The beautiful city sees more than one hundred springs, of which 72 springs are the most well-known. A series of mountains embrace the city’s southern territories, featuring steep cliffs, cloud and fog, and exotic stones. Within the mountains, some small-sized springs surge day and night. Impressed by the great views, I decided to design an originated fish-tank with Jinan characteristics. The prototype of the tank environment is located at the north side of Mount Tai, where the minimum human activities exist and the surroundings are naturally beautiful, with some tiny springs, suggesting an ideal imitation model. The exact prototype landscape is a huge Mount Tai Stone. The stone rises upright, with two-thirds of its entity empty.
The spring generated underneath the stone provides sufficient water for the pond.
The trees and little rocks create a good shelter for the fish inside, while the
algae promote a proliferation of natural life. To seek ideas from the originated
location is the optimum approach for landscape design, since they are original
in style and taste and imitate the original environment perfectly. Eventually, I
took back some water, stone, tree branches, fish, and conch shells from Mount
Tai. With all the materials collected from the original places, the fish-tank
landscape is sure to “confuse the fish’s eyes.” 
Description
of the underwater landscape of the biotope:
Description of the parameters of the habitat:
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Lefua costata, Gnathopogon tsinanensis, Rhinogobius brunneus, Cipangopaludina cahayensis, Pseudorasbora parva, Rhinogobius similis, Abbottina rivularis, Rhodeus ocellatus.
List of plants found in the nature biotope:Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton crispus, Phragmites australis, Spirogyra communis
Threats to the ecology: The main pictures were taken last year. Last year’s competition was not successful due to various reasons. This work was used again this year. And unfortunately, this biotope was destroyed last October and no longer exists. Instead, it is replaced by a hotel parking lot… In this aquarium, it becomes the continuation of the soul of that biotope.
Sources of information:  field visits.

Comments of the members of the jury of Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2020