Experts in the Industry in Focus 6
Interview with John Tran the Owner and Operator of Z-Aquatics
By Philip Starr from Aussie Tropical Fish and Shrimp
Background
Z-Aquatics is a Melbourne based online store that specialises in growing and cultivating a wide variety of aquatic plants. They supply high quality plants at affordable prices to Australian aquarium enthusiasts and hobbyists
Websites
www.z-aquatics.com.au
www.facebook.com/ZAquaticsAu
Interview
How long have you been interested in and what got you started with aquatic plants?
I began taking an interest in aquatic plants around 4-5 years ago, which was about the same time I got into the aquarium hobby. I wanted to create a moss wall for my sad little fish tank. I was reading up on how to create one then stumbled upon pictures, articles and forum posts about aquatic plants. That was when my passion started. The funny thing is a few months prior I mentioned that I wanted a pet mouse but was given a fish tank with a Siamese fighting fish instead.
How and when did the Z-Aquatics business commence?
I was selling random items and excess plants on eBay back from 2011. It was for extra pocket while I was studying at University. The money that I earned went straight back into the hobby acquiring more plants and tanks. I started with Java moss then slowly accumulated a collection of plants. At the end of 2012 I decided to focus only on plants and therefore I changed my store name to Z-Aquatics. At the conclusion of my studies a year later I was at a crossroads. I had to choose between becoming a civil engineer or continue growing my business full-time. I choose the latter. I would say Z-Aquatics officially started in 2014.
Can you tell us a little more about your aquatic plant growing operations?
Imagine a hobbyist gone crazy and that’s what my operation is like. I have a lot of tanks crammed in a relatively small area. The majority of the plants are grown submersed in high-tech setups with good lights, CO2, and aquasoil.
What are the main aquatic plants that you are growing and selling at the moment?
I grow a lot of stem plants and a good variety of mosses. Examples would be Hygrophila pinnatifida, Rotala colorata, Hemianthus callitrichoides, Java moss, Star moss, and Christmas moss.
What are some of the rarer or more interesting aquatic plants that you are growing and selling at the moment?
I don’t really grow many plants that you would consider rare. Trident Java Fern, Red Moss, Singapore Moss are some that were considered rare a couple of years ago but are now readily available.
About how many tanks and what type of tanks do you operate to run the business?
I currently have about 70 tanks. Majority of them are just the typical 4ft size tanks.
What environmental precautions do you need to take as an aquatic plant grower?
As person aiming to share my passion for nature, I take environmental issues very seriously. Waste plant materials are composted and filters are placed at the drains to prevent any from escaping. Overall my growing area is isolated from environments such as parks, waterways, forests etc. So the chances of any plant material ending up in those places are very minimal.
What methods and techniques do you use for growing aquatic plants?
All I do is create optimal conditions for plants to grow and thrive. I provide the tanks with good lights, CO2 enriched water and a controlled fertilisation regime. There’s not much to the technique for growing plants. Many of the stem plants are propagated through cuttings. That’s done by snipping a length of the plant and planting into the substrate. Over time roots will develop and I repeat the process.
Can you tell us the difference between emersed and submersed plant growing?
Emersed growing is the cultivation of plants out of or above the water where most of the nutrients are absorbed through the roots. Whereas submersed is when the plants are grown completely underwater. There is more absorption of nutrients through the leaves from the water column.
What are some tips for anyone growing aquatic plants?
Understanding and keeping the balance between the three most important elements in plant keeping, lights, CO2, and nutrients, is key to a successful planted tank. Match the lighting with the appropriate levels of carbon and nutrients. An excess of one those factors without compensation from the other two will most likely lead to poorer plant growth and an overabundance of algae.
What are some tips for anyone interested in Aquascaping?
Look at pictures, visit aquascaping stores, get inspired. When in doubt just copy someone else’s work. It’s the best way to learn.
Who is your greatest inspiration in regards to aquatic plants and Aquascaping?
In terms of aquatic plants Takashi Amano is my greatest inspiration. Without him the planted aquarium scene wouldn’t be as prominent as it is today. I can say with certainty that Z-Aquatics would not have existed without him. He was not only famous for his aquascapes but also for his knowledge and experiences with plants in which he widely shared.
Oliver Knott’s aquascapes reaches out to me the most. His works can be described as fun, unique and even quirky. He’s prolific and always pushing the boundaries of aquascaping. They are desired traits necessary for the advancement of our hobby.
Some aquatic plants are classified as weeds in some states but not in other states. Also some states have stricter quarantine regulations than others. How do you keep informed about ever changing National and State regulations in regards to aquatic plants species?
Whenever a change occurs there’s bound to be someone who will find out before me and let everyone else know on the forums or Facebook. That’s one of the reasons why I love about the aquarium community.
What do you like most about the aquarium industry?
I like the diversity. There are so many specialities /branches /niches that you can’t possibly get bored of the aquarium industry. You can set up freshwater, saltwater, tropical, coldwater, goldfish, Discus, Betta, coral, turtle, shrimp, planted tanks etc. There is so much variety in the types of setups to choose from that makes our industry very dynamic.
What do you like least about the aquarium industry?
Greed, deception and negativity by a few that ruin it for others. But it’s prevalent in all fields and the fault speaks about the individuals rather than our industry as a whole.
What positive changes would you like to see in the aquarium industry?
I would like to see more experimenting, innovating, boundary pushing. It would make our industry more exciting and encourage more members to join our community.
Where do you see the aquarium industry heading in the next 10 years?
I think there would be greater focus on nano aquariums. I can see it already an increasingly amount of new products such as lights that are specially designed for smaller tanks. I also think aquatic plants will be mainstream and play a more prominent role during the consideration of a tank setup. It would not just be setting up a fish tank or a planted tank but rather creating a balanced eco-system where flora and fauna can coexist. Maintaining optimal plant growth is considered as equally important as keeping fish healthy.
Are there any high tech or innovative ideas that you believe would help the aquarium industry progress into the future?
It’s not exactly high tech or an innovative idea but I believe constantly improving upon the energy efficiency of equipment will help the industry grow. Without a doubt the biggest complaint in our hobby is the electricity consumption. Reducing the power usage of the equipment will dissuade aquarists from leaving the hobby and lessen the concerns of prospective hobbyists.
What's you favourite fish, shrimp and aquatic plant species and why?
Fish: Neon Rosy Barbs because they hardy, beautiful and are great algae eaters
Plant: Tonina fluviatilis is easily one of the most attractive aquatic plants available. The head reminds me of a lotus flower
Shrimp: Crystal Red Shrimp, I would consider them as a classic variety. With so many types of new shrimp appearing in a relatively short amount of time, CRS has still managed to maintain its appeal and popularity
What's the most interesting fish, shrimp and aquatic plants that you have come across over your time in the industry?
Fish: Blennies are always fun to watch. They are full of personality and I find them very charming.
Shrimp: Riffle shrimp, they look so cool with their filter feeding fans.
Plant: Hygrophila pinnatifida because of its versatility. It can be used in the background, kept dwarf in the foreground, it can attach itself onto driftwood & rock, the coloration can vary from green to vivid red, and it can also grow very well emersed.
What plans do you have for the future for Z-Aquatics?
The next natural progression for Z-Aquatics is to enter the marine market. It’s highly competitive and very different to what I’m used to. But it will be very exciting to get into it and learn things. In the long term I want Z-Aquatics to be a big Australian aquatics brand that is famous worldwide. Japan, Germany and USA are widely acknowledged to produce the very best products in the aquarium industry. I want to add Australia to that list through the Z-Aquatics brand. I know it’s very ambitious and even laughable by some but it’s what drives me to succeed.
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A special thanks to John for taking part in the interview and for giving us a nice insight into Z-Aquatics. John is a member of the group, so if you have any questions, ask away and hopefully he has time to drop by
Source: Aussie Tropical Fish and Shrimp