litigator666 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 I was watching a show on TV months ago about creating fake bonsai and decided to try it out since I didn't like look of my project bonsai. I went scavenging through shops by shops looking for nice pieces that can form part of my bonsai. Some are shop display pieces (dry display and not intended for sale) and sad to say, I have to saw it just to get a part I need. Some mistakes along the way and I've wasted a couple of good driftwood pieces. I came up with my old mangrove root to be base stump, a melaluca (thank you [MENTION=1255]blackraven[/MENTION] for this and the tips) and grapevines. It was melaluca and grapevines were branching out from the mangrove root and as much as possible I tried to make the connection seamless - as if it naturally grown from the main stump. I need some suggestion now whether to keep it bare, put anubias (will likely need to hunt for established plants as cuttings all died on my previous try) or look for realistic plastic leaves to add greens to the creation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted August 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 More pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shanoz Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 That looks awesome mate! I would go with some real moss's instead of fake leaves, would look amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackraven Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 wow mate looking real good job well done and i agree with shanoz real plants are they way to go i reckon small nana anubuis its the smaller version Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Mcleodd Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 nice work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Looks great Edwin, can't wait to see it in bloom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan013 Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 If youve got the patience good lighting and time fissidens would look good crawling all over it. Or weeping moss I think it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted August 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Thank you for the feedback and suggestions. I may just need to put the anubias as i still have some. I prefer anything with less maintenance and cost, as the driftwood hunt did cost me a few hundreds. I did saved some offcuts and mistake cuttings for my other tank so nothing wasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
th3f0rg0t3n Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 i quite liked your first attempt at the bonsai edwin, looked great -- such a shame it didn't last !!! are you going to keep this new version away from them fishes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted August 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 Still undecided on where this should go. Plan is build it up and put some syno to swim underneath the roots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumps Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 This should go into my tank mate, just leave it out and will collect when I grab the background, haha just joking but nice piece will look awesome all greened up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted September 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 This should go into my tank mate, just leave it out and will collect when I grab the background, haha just joking but nice piece will look awesome all greened up. Saw a new shipment of magrove roots in pet country kingston rd. back of ute was full of roots. Im not sure of price, but there are lovely pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted November 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 (edited) Got 3 mangrove pieces last month and since i need to clear space on the tank for an upcoming midlevel swimmer, decided to bolt them to a bigger piece. All are approx 2ft area coverage and got them "legally" - before somebody ask. Have been collecting anubias regular variant the past months so decided to build "frankenstein bonsai #2". Edited December 8, 2013 by litigator666 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted November 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 Bolted them in by inverting one to be the head of the tree. Third one seems to be ackward and decided to just keep it for future use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatic Paradise Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 looks intersting and i'm looking forward to seeing the final results Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted November 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 Added greens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric A Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 That looks awesome, great idea. Any established photos of either Bonsai? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted December 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 having a hard time growing the anubias. and with my new 2ft+ guppy, it wrecked my plants and ended up with crashed anubias or floating plants. I think i'm not a green thumb person. the bonsai looks like a creepy dead wood, like what I've started with. Haven't had a chance of fixing it and will take months again to get the anubias attached firmly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric A Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 Bugger, the creepy dead wood look works with creepy 2ft guppies though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelle Posted December 4, 2013 Report Share Posted December 4, 2013 That is a massive looking structure! Just let me know if you need more anubias. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted December 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 Still waiting for more greens,but rehabilitation is on its way. Got new leds to highlight it from [MENTION=4136]rainbowrunner[/MENTION]. Bonsai 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted December 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 Bonsai 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted January 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Was a quite day today. I was supposed to dispose of this spare mangrove but decided to just keep it and add some branch on it and use some spare anubias ive been collecting (since they just float on the feeder tank). I always wanted a leaning mangrove and this is the best i can do to make it look like the wind blowing on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 The effect should become more obvious once the anubias grows/turns upwards a bit. Considered some moss? A liquid fert + something like easycarbo, will usually get some fast root and leaf growth on anubias. Doesnt have to be full doses, but a little bit helps a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danceswithdingoes Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Litigator that piece is exactly what Im after thank you for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
