This aquarium (Beluga - Atelier de Marianne) was exhibited at Expozoo - Paris in 2003, with cichlid fish. (this decoration could be similarly adapted to inverts).

As we did not have the opportunity to take photos during the setting up, we created a similar decoration in our workshop, and detailed each step with photos.

Construction of the décor for this aquarium (500 litres) uses all principles given in page:

How to build...

Material:

To make this composition:

Beluga Aquarium "Atelier de Marianne" - 120x 70 x 60 cm - 500 litres

Decorations:

"ceramic rocks" : 2 boxes 17 kg

plates : 2 - 35 cm et 1 - 50 cm

1 corolla.

A good distribution of rocks, a light construction with plates enables use of less products and to create territories and shelters.

Sand, very thin, well washed. Plants : anubias and microsoriums on the rocks, vallisnerias in the sand ; it seems that these plants are strong enough to resist cichlid fish.

With the lighting, rocks always seem clearer (in water) ; do not hesitate to use the darker ones in the low parts, to strengthen the deep effect.

Reminder : Use a very horizontally steady aquarium, with clean glass. Make sure that all water tubes and electric connections are in place (so that you won't have to move them again). Protect the rim of the aquarium , and the inside with a blanket or cardboard pieces, during the setting up.

Choose the rocks in the box :

17 kg boxes contain mainly big pieces. To start with, use the most stable rocks, on 3 points (see page : How to build...) for the base. Keep the longer rocks for bridges, the thinner for hiding the decantation column. Do not hesitate to break small pieces, during the setting up, to adapt the rocks to shape. But do not break everything at the beginning ;-))) Small pieces should be kept to finish details of shapes or lines. Remaining gravel can be used for filtration or to hide eventual silicone spots.

Description of the décor : a grotto in the middle to hide the column, a big bridge on the right and one on the left (at different levels).

A good distribution of rocks, a light construction with plates enables use of less products and to create territories and shelters.

Details on construction.

The same décor was made by students in October 2006

As last year, we had the visit of a class of the Lycée de Magnac Laval. The aim for them was to discover companies, to know the products, and to use them.

The exercise was to make with the same material a décor similar to the one on this page. Of course, you can't get exactly the same.

Their result is more mineral as they used less plants.

They used 1/2 a box more as the base was more massive.

Photos Lycée Agricole Magnac Laval - 87.