21/04/2021

This week we received the remainder of our plants. We ordered them during Easter from Scaped Nature (they had previously donated many plants to us!) and they arrived in time for our session. We began by washing the plants, as they were preserved in a fertiliser solution/gel, and then separated them from each other so that we could spread them out when planting.

We had a plan as to where we were going to plant them and we used tweezers to plant them into the substrate accordingly.

Each pupil rolled up their sleeves and had a go at planting. Pupils took time and realised there was a technique to getting the roots deep enough in the soil without the plant floating up when removing the tweezers. Pupils talked about how planting was a relaxing process and were eager to see new growth in the coming weeks/months.

We planted a red variety – Alternanthera mini in the midground. In the foreground we planted Micranthemum – Monte Carlo and we hope that this will carpet the front left and right of the tank.

Hydrocotyle tripartita at the front, and we hope that this will creep up the wood as it grows.

Using cyanoacrylate glue we stuck Taxiphyllum flame moss and some interesting varieties of Bucephelandra to the bog wood.

In the back ground we planted 3 varieties of stem plants; Didiplis diandra, Rotala wallachii and Ludwigia Arcuata.

Pupils selected these based on how tall they would grow as well as the unique leaf shapes and colour varieties. Growth will most likely be more noticeable sooner in these stem varieties as they will draw nutrients not only from the soil, but also the water column. We also floated Limnobium laevigatum – Amazon frogbit in our tank as this variety would draw excess nutrients from the water column and is also a great indicator of our nutrient levels.

Mr Bansal

23/04/2021

Now that we had planted all of our plants, we were keen to boost their growth. I had been in touch with John Mitchell from CO2Art, a company dedicated to enabling aquarists in maximising plant growth! He liked our project and was kind enough to send us a CO2 kit! His kit included: a dual gauge CO2 regulator with solenoid, CO2 resistant piping, a check valve, a U-bend tube, ceramic diffuser and a drop checker!

We started our session by talking about photosynthesis and considering the need for Carbon dioxide for plant growth. We discussed how CO2 was limited underwater and then opened up the generously provided CO2 Art kit. We proceeded to attach the regulator to a fire extinguisher (our source of CO2 – also, generously donated by my brother) and then plumbed in the tubing, check valve and diffuser.

We discussed; how the regulator will allow us to see the pressure of gas inside the extinguisher, as well as controlling the rate at which gas leaves. CO2 will travel through a bubble counter so we can see the rate of exiting gas, and then through the C02 resistant tubing, past a check valve (stopping tank water from flowing in the backward direction, into the regulator). Finally, gas will pass through a diffuser which would release tiny bubbles into of CO2 into the tank. The smaller the bubbles – the greater the surface area and therefore a greater absorption of CO2 into the water column.

The diffuser was placed under the filter inlet so that the incoming water could push the bubbles around the tank, again, increasing the amount dissolved into the water column. But how much is too much!? We talked about how too much could suffocate animal life in the aquarium and also decrease our pH. John had also kindly provided a drop-checker/indicator. We placed the drop checker on the other side of the tank and the colour of this would tell us whether we were injecting too little/much CO2 into our tank.

The injection of CO2 into our aquarium marks the transition from a low-energy tank to a high-energy tank. This means our growth rate will be higher as we have photosynthesis happening at a faster rate and plants will therefore need more nutrients and light. This will allow us to get the most out of our plants and we sincerely thank CO2 art for supporting us! It also leads us nicely into the realm of plant nutrients and we will be making our own plant fertilisers in the future!

Mr Bansal

Week 9 & 10

Week 8

Week 7

Week 6

Week 5

Week 4

Easter

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

Introduction

Mayur Parmar who studied Psychology A Level at HGS has just had a research paper into the impact of Loneliness published in the Journal of Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. Mayur submitted the paper whilst studying for his MSc in Mental Health Studies at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College, London.

This is a wonderful achievement and we are extremely proud that one of our ex-students is contributing to such an important area of Mental Health and medical research.

Click here to view the paper

During the Easter break we had to adjust our plan slightly. The substrate in our tank had been in use for over 7 years, this meant that much of the nutrients would have been extracted and would need replenishment. I had been in-touch with Andy from Ripples Waterlife in Shenstone. After hearing about our project he was keen to help us along.

I had asked whether he could provide us with some new substrate to provide lasting plant growth. He kindly agreed to gift 2 8kg bags of fluval stratum towards our project, as well as some root tablet fertilizers and some bacteria sachets to help encourage plant growth! We visited his amazing shop and enjoyed conversing with him about the hobby, our project, as well as taking some time to view his healthy and well stocked range of flora and fauna. We would like to thank Andy for his generosity and we hope that we can arrange a trip to visit him and his shop when we are ready to stock fish/shrimp in our aquarium.

The task of replacing/adding to the substrate would be lengthy and so my brother kindly agreed to join me in school during Easter break. We started by removing all the plants/wood, rocks and water. Following which, we began to create mounds out of the old substrate where we wanted to bank the new substrate up to create a taller/deeper look to the scape. The old substrate was useful to keep in the tank as it contains much of the bacteria which are essential to the oxidation of ammonia and nitrites (we will cover more on this with the pupils at a later date).

After pouring the new substrate in, we placed the wood in positions the pupils had decided before Easter. We also positioned some rocks in areas which helped us bank more substrate up against the back of the tank. The tank was then carefully re-filled with water.

We noticed that some of the plants had ‘melted’ during holidays (see the picture below). This can happen as the nutrient levels in the water column undergo big changes when a new substrate is added, as well as plants adapting to growing underwater. This meant that we would have to plant these plants to try to keep them alive. Their roots would then be able to establish themselves and draw nutrients from the soil.

We left as many healthy plants in the pots as possible so that pupils could plant them after the Easter break. We also ordered the remaining plants required from Scaped Nature, and we look forward to their arrival so pupils can place them in the aquarium.

Mr Bansal

Week 9 & 10

Week 8

Week 7

Week 6

Week 5

Week 4

Easter

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

Introduction

Week 3 31/03/2021

Today we decided to experiment with how the tank looked (again!). We began by removing all the plants which we received from Scaped Nature last week. All pupils rolled up their sleeves and got hands on! We took out all the plants and placed them in a tub full of tank water.

We examined the root structures of some of the plants, including a bulb variety (red tiger lotus). We talked about how some of the plants could be propagated and how others let out runners, similar to potatoes.

After removing the plants, we had a chance to readjust our scape. Luckily for us, my brother had kindly gifted some unique pieces of bogwood and rocks to our club! These new pieces came in useful and added much needed decor. We positioned the old and new pieces of wood until we eventually found a design which we all liked:

We decided on this island style scape which, in combination with plants, will provide a scenic and healthy environment for fish. I managed to sink the potted plants back into the tank to give us a better idea of what the finished scape might look like.

During the Easter break I will be changing the substrate as the current substrate is 7 years old! This means it may lack the nutrients required for lasting and healthy plant growth. I will also order the rest of the plants which pupils have already selected, although, after seeing how much space we have left, we will have to reduce the variety. Our lads look forward to returning to school after Easter as they will be planting all of the plants and we will be setting up a CO2 injection system!

Mr Bansal

Week 9 & 10

Week 8

Week 7

Week 6

Week 5

Week 4

Easter

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

Introduction

24/03/2021

Earlier this week we managed to recruit Mr Wright, our D&T technician, to create a suitable solution for the top of our tank. We were previously resting odd offcuts of perspex along the brace bars of the tank. Mr Wright had a cunning idea, he used his skills and the technology in school to produce two sheets of clear acrylic measured and laser cut to size, with gaps for filter pipes and finger grip holes. These sheets were laser cut in D&T to produce smooth and precise edges, they now act as a neat lid, allowing maximum light penetration and stop any unwanted items from entering, as well as reducing evaporation. Thank you, Mr wright, for doing such a cracking job!

On Wednesday this week we focused on our hardscape and plant selection. We first began to position the pieces of wood (redmoor root) around the tank to find an appealing appearance. Pupils discussed how these pieces, along with the use of stones, could create a very natural look, especially once plants are added. More importantly, this provided an opportunity for some of the lads to get their hands (and arms) in the tank!

We then looked at information on available plants so that we can pick ones which we like and have space for. We considered the following about the different plants:

How tall/bushy they grow

The colour and shape of the leaves

The light/co2/nutrient requirements

We wrapped up with considering how we could position each plant species to achieve a desired look. We also realised that one breaktime (30 mins) a week was not enough time for us to learn and make decisions about the hobby. We decided that we will also meet at Friday breaktimes from now on.

We now look forward to ordering/receiving and planting our new plants. As well as setting up a very kind and generous donation we have been fortunate enough to receive….. watch this space!

Mr Bansal

28/03/2021

Today we received a very kind and generous donation of plants from Scaped Nature. I was in-touch with Ray McCune after seeing some fantastic videos on youtube of his shop (in Norwich) and home aquaria. Him and his wife have set up a business where they sell aquatic plants/aquarium gear/terrainiums etc. After reaching out to him and sharing our project, Ray kindly agreed to donate some plants towards our project.

He sent us a large number and variety of cryptocorynes, anubias and microsorums. These are fantastic plants which should hopefully thrive in our tank. They have a variety of leaf shapes/sizes/colours and demands. Some of these plants are epiphytes, meaning they grow on surfaces of other plants/wood/rocks. This gives us the ability to tie/stick them to rocks/wood and move them around our aquarium without the need to dig in the roots and disturb the substrate.

Some of the lads arrived rushed over at the end of the school day just to see the plants before going home for the weekend. They were surprised and excited to see our project coming alive. Mubarak said he never realised how empty the tank was until he saw all the plants in it now. We now look forward to carefully selecting the position of these plants and tying the epiphytes to rocks/wood.

Lastly, we would like to thank Scaped nature once again for their very substantial donation towards our club! You can visit them at https://www.scapednature.com/

Week 9 & 10

Week 8

Week 7

Week 6

Week 5

Week 4

Easter

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

Introduction