Journal

Living systems,
followed over time.

A Microcosmos is never finished. This is where I record how each aquarium develops — a new planting, a shift in the water, a system slowly finding its balance.

  1. Fallen Forest1000 L

    25 September 2026Established

    A sand slide opens up the foreground

    A sand slide has pushed the sand forward into a sand front in the foreground; the Echinodorus has declined, while the Ambulia has spread.

  2. Orinoco-inspired220 L

    20 September 2026Growing

    Softer, warmer light

    Testing a Chihiros lamp with extra red, an Apistogramma with swim bladder trouble, a bristlenose that claims its food, and a reworked hardscape.

  3. Borneo Understory60 L

    12 September 2026Growing

    First life

    Blue Neocaridina shrimp and chili rasboras added, a firm pruning done, and the Cryptocoryne are clearly growing on.

  4. Borneo Understory60 L

    15 August 2026Setup

    Setting up the Borneo nano

    A network of branches and roots over a sandy bed. Cryptocoryne just planted.

  5. Orinoco-inspired220 L

    8 December 2025Setup

    Starting up with a lean substrate

    A South American tank with lots of wood and leaves, and an experiment: how far can you get with a fairly lean substrate?

  6. Fallen Forest1000 L

    8 June 2025Established

    Two years on: the forest has closed in

    The planting is dense, the populations balanced. Intervention is rarely needed now.

  7. Fallen Forest1000 L

    30 September 2023Growing

    Plants growing out above the waterline

    Monstera and Pothos now root directly in the water and are starting to climb.

  8. Fallen Forest1000 L

    12 May 2023Setup

    The first hardscape is in

    Two metres of driftwood in the structure of a fallen tree. The tank has just been set up and planted.