Get inspired this season to take to a
calming new hobby of building exquisite, living, breathing nature aquariums. Aqua Design Amano (ADA) which is now called Still Water Aquatics (SWA), started out as a hobby for Sajjan Raj, 32, founder, but is now dedicated to educating those interested in aquascaping through workshops and training programmes. When you enter their facility, it feels like you’ve entered a new world of crystal clear aquariums landscaped to perfection with precariously placed miniature rocks and an entire ecosystem to support its aquatic life. “We follow the techniques of legendry Japanese aquascaping artist Takashi Amano and use two forms—Iwagumi, based on Japanese zen gardens and Ryoboku, a jungle theme,” explains Gagan Saiprasad, 26, marketing head of SWA.
The day-long beginner workshops cater to newcomers and also to those who have been aquarium hobbyists in the past. “The first half includes the theoretical aspects such as the nitrogen cycle and the challenges of nature aquariums, while the second one is a practical session where the entire group builds a nature aquarium together,” says Saiprasad.
The workshops are held each month and can be followed up with an advanced course for those looking to take the hobby a notch higher. With each batch of students, SWA brings more and more people into its fold, adding to a community of enthusiasts. “We support them with knowledge, material and everything they need to build their own aquariums. In the end, we want to help people reconnect with nature,” he says.