Christmas moss?

[JustinKScott]

Thinking about the next tank... I want to setup a park-like or mountain-like scene like amano-designs in japan.. Ala..

http://www.blueaquarium.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Pinheiro-manso-by-FAAO-11.jpg

http://conservationreport.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/fishtank22.jpg

http://truthinart.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/amanotank1.jpg

I understand he uses a lot of christmas moss to get the leaves and grassy look. I've never had any experience with Christmas moss; will it turn out like the photo or are they Photoshop'd?

Should I just buy some christmas moss and find out?

 

[Fishkeeper26]

Idk how he does it, but I'm pretty sure it isn't photoshopped. But remember he has professionally photographed so the lighting, water, fish, plants are all perfect just for that moment and not necessarily all the time

 

[fort384]

Most of the stuff in those photos is not moss. It is HC. They are not photoshopped, but fishkeeper makes a very valid point: Scapes like these are fantastic, but require meticulous trimming and maintenance. And... being a professional photographer helps substantially. I remember reading and interview with TA where he has someone hold a hair dryer just out of the frame of the photo to get the ripple effect on the water. It is little details like that that make the photography stunning, but in reality, having a display tank look that good would be a nearly full time job.

 

[JustinKScott]

What is hc?

 

[fort384]

Hemianthus callitrichoides. Compact grower, great ground cover. Needs higher light, CO2 injection.

 

[JustinKScott]

Im all setup for plants. Where do I get hc?

 

[fort384]

Aquariumplants.com sells it. Or try aquabid.com or posting a wanted ad in the classifieds forum here at AA.