 
Nature Aquarium World: Book One
By Takashi Amano
Hardcover - ISBN 0-7938-0089-7
Price: expect to pay between £25.00 and
£50.00
The first part of the book contains large stunning photographs and
information on a variety of planted tanks ranging from 300mm (12inches) to
1800mm (72 inches). There are 61 stunning tanks in total, and also 5 which
he has done for restaurants and coffee shops, each with its own individuality,
giving the reader plenty of inspiration. Each tank has
a description of how and what influenced the set up along with data of the
lighting, substrate, and detailed water conditions. They vary from using just
one type of plant to using a large selection, from Zen inspired to Dutch, river
bottoms to forest. Also, throughout the book you will find fascinating stories
about his experiences, and information about the natural environments in which
he uses to recreate his tanks. Although very few of the plants in the tanks are
named, the clear photography should enable you to identify most of them.
 The second part of the book describes layout concepts, design and ratios,
including photographs, giving detail to different compositions, suitability and
ways to achieve them. He then goes into detail about different types of
materials such as bogwood, driftwood, stones and rocks, where to place and how
to attach plants to them. Details of some plants are also given to provide the
reader with an idea of which plants to use for foreground, background and ground
cover. The Third part of the book tackles the technical side, he explains about
the use of CO2 in the aquarium, and gives an explanation on the
basics of natural biological processes in the aquarium and why CO2,
pH and water hardness are all important. He also gives information about
filters, lighting, substrate, fertilizers and then about problems that may occur
such as algae and sick plants, also the upkeep and pruning of plants, in an easy
to read and understandable format. This is a book you can read many times and
never get tired of.
Review by Sue Doughty
aka Sue10 |
