Ponyo in a 20 Long

[nirbhao]

This build is a 20 gallon long tank with a Current Satellite LED+ with pressurized CO2. I currently dose twice a week with NilocG Thrive.

Hayao Miyazaki is a director known for films with gorgeous scenery, among other things. One of my favorite of his movies is Ponyo, the story of a magical fish who falls in love with a human, Sousuke. In her attempt to be with him, she brings the entire ocean with her, submerging all but the highest points of the city with an ocean full of renewed life.

Sousuke lives with his mother and father in a house on a bluff near the end of the city.



The city is on a harbor



and is based on the real-life city of Tomonoura.

I decided, for this build, to focus on the shoreline, road, house, and tunnel where Sousuke and Ponyo walk through.



I decided to split the substrate— using Eco Complete for the part that would otherwise have been above water and sand for the ocean floor. I sketched it out

planning the shoreline by Shine, on Flickr

Built the template

shoreline template by Shine, on Flickr

threw and modeled one shoreline

first shoreline by Shine, on Flickr

decided that was too tall so did another

second shoreline by Shine, on Flickr

and that one was lumpy so I stamped some swirls

second shoreline 3 by Shine, on Flickr

second shoreline 2 by Shine, on Flickr

second shoreline swirls 1 by Shine, on Flickr

I have thrown a third shoreline. I still need to make the tunnel, and I’m sorting out which plants I want to use.

[AshokKD]

Awesome ... keeping posting ur progress

[UntimelyLord]

Ooooh, this looks cool. I've thought about the idea of a fantasy genre themed tank but struggled with how to make it look asthetically pleasing. This looks like it's coming along great! Interested to see how it goes!

[DreaminginBlue]

Can't wait to see how this turns out!

[nirbhao]

Many new plants!

Just hanging out waiting to be planted.

[DreaminginBlue]

Gorgeous! Wow, you have quite the assortment.

[TMaier]

Can't wait to see the ceramics and plants come together.

[nirbhao]

I'm so excited. I'm firing this weekend. I usually bisque and then glaze, but I'm combining the two firings for this. I'm hoping it will make it look a bit more cohesive.

We have three puffers in quarantine- Puffy, Poofer, and Pumpkin. We'll be getting three more once these three are happy in their permanent home.

[nirbhao]

I just loaded my kiln! So exciting!

Here's a question: is it possible to divide this tank so that I can keep the ramshorns without them being a constant buffet for the pea puffers? We have added three to the line-up for a total of six. (Copter, Diddy, and Puppy) They are going to love their home!

[Rexxaroo]

Wow cannot wait for this! I love studio ghibli films, huge influence on myself as an artist. I love pony and spirited away, definitely my tops.

I'd like to do a spirited away tank some day, maybe my next rescape


Cheers,
Rexx

[nirbhao]

[nirbhao]

I decided to go with the darker shore. I used silicone to hold it in place a prevent it from scratching the glass.

[TMaier]

Now the long wait to dry.

[nirbhao]

Originally Posted by TMaier

Now the long wait to dry.

It says it takes 24 hours to cure, so not too long.

[Rexxaroo]

Looking good! Love the darker shore line

[DreaminginBlue]

Looks awesome!

[nirbhao]

I'm waiting for the heater (should be Wednesday) before I fill the tank. Super short dry start!

Also, I'm terrible at visualizing angle of repose. Even with supports, I couldn't keep the hill with the house up.

[Drizzle_Aquatic]

Love ponyo. Brilliant film.

[TMaier]

Keep the plants wet or they may wilt.
I have read about aquascapers using stockings filled to build up mounds?

[nirbhao]

I've been spraying the plants a lot.

I've read about the stockings, too. I think I was just trying to go too steep, though.