A local aquarium for local people

[ooblek]

Kia Ora everyone, I'm curious about creating an aquascape using only local materials found in the East Riding area, particularly around the Humber Bridge, Hull, and nearby villages like Cottingham and Swanland. You see, I've spent a fair bit of time exploring "Little Switzerland", that old quarry turned nature reserve with its ancient trees and ponds, right next to the River Humber. As an old sea dog, I can tell you that river's got some serious character - its waterways change more than any other river I've seen, and the banks are littered with driftwood and boulders.

I've often wondered, could someone create a stunning aquascape using only the stuff you can find on the ground and riverbanks? Obviously, that means no fish, unless you're up for a saltwater or brackish tank with eels, dabs, and the occasional plaice. But what about the rest of the aquascape? Has anyone tried using only local materials to create a full setup?

[Lexat]

I've got a hunch about @willie32, being from around those parts and all, he's probably got some knowledge on the subject, given his reputation as a well-respected northerner.

[willie32]

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I'd completely forgotten about the foreshore at Hessle as a spot to scavenge for hardscape materials. The country park itself is likely to be mostly chalk rock, which isn't ideal for most setups, but down on the foreshore, there are plenty of large cobbles and river rocks that could work well.

As for the trees, I'm not sure if the types found in the area would be suitable for most tanks - we mainly want Beech and Oak in the UK, and some fruit trees can also work. From what I remember, the trees around Hessle foreshore are more likely to be Hawthorns, which might not be the best choice. However, there are plenty of Beech trees in the walking trails around Brough and Elloughton, although some of that land is forestry, so it's not accessible for foraging.

I do know that plenty of people have successfully foraged for materials and created full setups with them - I've not tried it myself, but I do have some Oak branches that were foraged by someone else and sold to me from Holderness. They'd been used in a tank for years, so I've no concerns about using them.

I've also thought about foraging for rocks on some of the rockier beaches like Flamborough and Mapleton, but it's a long way back to the car, so I've never got around to it.

[ooblek]

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I'd completely forgotten about the foreshore at Hessle as a spot to scavenge for hardscape materials. The country park itself is likely to be mostly chalk rock, which isn't ideal for most setups, but down on the foreshore, there are plenty of large cobbles and river rocks that could work well.

As for the trees, I'm not sure if the types found in the area would be suitable for most tanks - we mainly want Beech and Oak in the UK, and some fruit trees can also work. From what I remember, the trees around Hessle foreshore are more likely to be Hawthorns, which might not be the best choice. However, there are plenty of Beech trees in the walking trails around Brough and Elloughton, although some of that land is forestry, so it's not accessible for foraging.

I do know that plenty of people have successfully foraged for materials and created full setups with them - I've not tried it myself, but I do have some Oak branches that were foraged by someone else and sold to me from Holderness. They'd been used in a tank for years, so I've no concerns about using them.

I've also thought about foraging for rocks on some of the rockier beaches like Flamborough and Mapleton, but it's a long way back to the car, so I've never got around to it.

Kia Ora, hi willie32, thanks for the info. Yeah, I'm a bit limited with what I can lift nowadays, arthritis isn't exactly a friend of mine. I remember the chalk quarry at Hessle from back in the day, glad to hear it's still untouched. Don't know much about trees, but I can spot a good branch when I see one, haha. I'd love to check out some boulders, but again, it's all about what I can carry.

You're bringing back memories, mate. Flamborough, we used to spend our summers in my uncle's caravan there. And Hull fair, oh boy, I won a goldfish on "hook a duck" when I was a nipper, my first ever fish. My dad got a bowl for it the next day, and the day after it was gone. And who can forget the Rag and bone man, he'd give you a goldfish in a bag if you traded him something. Those were the days.

I was about ten when my dad took us to Frisbee aquatics, over forty years ago. He got a fish tank, and being a metal worker, he made a stand from steel rod. We chucked in some gravel, an under gravel filter, and filled it up. Next day, we got some fish, mostly guppies, and just chucked them in. And you know what? None of them died. We had a hood with a fluorescent light, and plastic plants, of course. It's reassuring to see that Frisbee aquatics is still around, I'm sure the knowledge base there is incredible.