In this latest edition of Meet the Scaper I interview Jeff Senske from Aquarium Design Group. We talk about the background behind ADG and their philosophy behind aquascaping. They have the biggest hardscape selection I’ve ever seen!
Keep on scaping!
George
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48 responses to “MEET THE SCAPER – Jeff Senske from Aquarium Design Group”
I've been in and out of the aquarium hobby for more than 20 years and in the back of my mind. I've always wondered and dreamed of opening my own store and thought about how cool it would be and how I would make my store different than so many others that I've been in. And by that I mean a lot of the stores I've been in over the years are just that, stores. Nothing special just unclean tanks with dead fish and I've always wondered how some of them even stayed in business are why didn't the owners take better care of there store? And then several months ago I went with a friend to ADG for the first time, and wow! This is exactly how I imagined my store to be . What an amazing place! The moment you walk in your captivated and inspired by these amazing works of art. Now I see the difference between your everyday fish store and a gallery! So if anyone is looking for inspiration I suggest you take a look at ADG.
Wow…a stunning freshwater tank!
I live not far from them and ADG is what inspired me to get into freshwater aquascaping.
Two guys who love what they do in interesting and inspiring conversation.
As a Houston native I am so proud Jeff and his store are in my city and in my state. Beautiful store, beautiful & meaningful art is created here. Please go visit this store and support the effort!
George, another great video thanks. I always admired ADG's designs. Their simplicity and beauty. Thanks for sharing all this with us
Thanks for another great interview George. I followed Jeff and Mike when I got into the hobby and soon after discovered your work.
Really enjoying the Meet the scaper videos. Very cool to see the different directions people go when creating new aquascapes and hearing their stories are very interesting. Just love the angel aquarium too. Great job George
Great feed back everyone. I'm in awe of every tank I have seen from everyone in the group. You truly enjoy this beautiful part of our planet and help bring amazing Scapes to all…Kudos.
Great episode! 👍 I have heard about Jeff before 😉.
Great video. Love this series of meeting the folks and hearing their philosophies. Thanks for sharing! Cherri-O!
Wow! I needed this today. Jeff is very well spoken and has such a strong grasp on his craft and art form. So many of his words resonated with me and I think, really apply to anyone that is serious about any craft. Many artist reach a point where they have an expert grasp on the craft and tools behind their art, but it's that philosophy and passion behind the design that turns craft into art. I'll remember this when working on my own art. Bravo for capturing this!
Does anyone know what kind of watch Jeff is wearing?
I am really looking forward to your next aquascape because I am interested to see if and how your visit at ADG has an effect on your style.
Really enjoy these interviews George, great to hear the varied points of view from aquascapers. I must get myself Takashi Amanos books! 🤘
Great inspiration… I think the green aqua guys won't invite you back now though 😁
Altum Rules! You two too.
Outstanding video. An issue here is those of us that are working with limited resources on a limited budget seem to have bigger challenges when it comes to “thoughtful” design. For example, there are no stores in my area that have bins of hardscape material. Everything has to be found outside locally or ordered online. And personally I’m just getting to that stage where I’m confident enough in my plans/fish keeping skills where I can put more thought in the design. You have inspired me much more like Takashi Amani inspired you.
…I was just in Houston 2 weeks ago! of course I'm just now learning of ADG. I'm beyond impressed and so pleased to know they are in my home country! Thanks George!!
Do they sell online? I cant seem to find where to purchase from them.
Love these meet the scaper interviews, they are always so informative, interesting and really motivating. This one is definitely one of my favorites though, Jeff and Mike are legends and they just seem like such great people.
loved the video but please do one on that Angel fish tank.
What a great interview, wish it was longer! Thank you George!
Does he have a channel
Hi George. I've a tank abou t 100 litres (I'm french ! ) and Ï don't succeed to start it because no money ! But I look all yours videos which give me inspiration. Up to you I fall in love with aquascaping ! Hope one day I could start my own tank ! Great job !
Hi George, a great episode of meet the scaper. Jeff and Mikes work is amazing.Your previous ADG vlog was fantastic, what an amazing showroom. The Angel tank was a perfect background for the interview and all the time the angels were huddled up together behind their master .Jeffs undoubted passion shines through in the interview as well as yours and that was so nice to hear, great to see people that are so in love with their hobby/job ,what a life. Really loving all of the USA vlogs, great viewing at the end of the day. All the best,Martin
Truly inspiring, I live in Houston and Jeff’s hardscape discus tank has been an anchor in most of my aquascapes.
Great interview with this background 👍💚
I'm sorry, I love ya, George 😘 but we are going to have to agree to disagree about this. There is something so magically art gallery like about Green Aqua. Even in a video you get the ambience of being in a space of living art.
I'm not disrespecting ADG, it's my absolute second favorite gallery of aquariums and scapes.
For me, the difference is…ADG is accessible, you go there you see a tank and a scape and you think…I could buy that and maintain it. Or I could actually do something like this myself and maintain it. And that is wonderful.
At Green Aqua you see a perfectly, beautifully maintained piece of very specifically arranged living art that I know I could not maintain by myself. You move one rock or two and the whole thing is off kilter.
If I was independently wealthy or a billionaire trust fund baby, I would have Green Aqua set up a few tanks, and then I would hire underwater gardeners, plant, water and fish experts to live on my estate and tend to them full time.
Green Aqua is a beautiful, magical dream for most people who keep aquariums and the fascination to keep going to look is to see what impossible thing you will probably never own, but can still admire and love, like a beloved painting in an art museum. Make sense?
I really do like these meet the scaper interviews. I like seeing everyone's unique style and hearing their philosophies on aquascaping and what it means to them.
💕👍💕
George, I would to apologize to you and Jeff. I saw you guys talking but I couldn't pay much attention as I couldn't take my eyes off the tank behind you LOL. Wonderful interview George. Enjoyed it so much!
I loved meeting both of you at Aquashella Dallas. You both have inspired me so much! Be well!
Some of the best aquascapers out there and was able to meet both today! 🙂
I really liked the meet the scaper. Philosophy, lifestyle and feeling of an aquarium and a really nice video to remind us all who started the movement and meaning of aquascaping. Mr. Amono
Jeff and his brother had a petshop in Houston during the 90's. It was my absolute favorite place to go as a kid. All the tanks were the best and they had exotics that nobody in Houston had. It was called "Tropaquarium". I still have the business card . Childhood memories.
I am really loving this series and all of the different scapers and points of view you showcase. I love the enthusiasm that you, Jurijs, and the Green Aqua team have, I loved the scientific approach of Tai, and I love the design-based philosophy of Jeff and Akil who are both hypnotic speakers. Keep it up George!
ADG is amazing… And that interview was deep! Americans love it!
Really enjoyed listening to this George! What Jeff was saying about the emotion in a tank was spot on. This angelfish tank is just stunning and makes me feel in awe <3
That was a real good one George , very passionate conversation 🙏👍✌
Thank you George for this episode.. To see and hear how and why these great aquascapers are influenced and inspired is wonderful. You are all inspirations to me and am forever greatful to be exposed to such an art and hobby. It truly continues to enrich my life so much so that friends and family have noticed a change in me over the past fiew years. Im always so proud to impress them with what i have achieved thus far. So happy to be alive!! Must be said… Love you Brother👍👍👍
Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.
Very insightful interview. Lots of food for thought.
Awesome interview. George, Jeff ( who I have only been introduced to in this and the previous video) and Mr. Amano understands the philosophy of Natute Aquarium. Aquascaping is living art. Because we are using natural products every copy will be an original. Keep on scaping and inspiring.
another amazing aquascaper, and yes I have heard of ADG. Folks like ADG, you, and Mr.Amano ( many others as well) fuel me with passion to keep plugging away, and I learn something new everytime you do one of these videos. As always, thank you for sharing.
I’m sorry can’t put 2 thumbs up, because that’s what I would have done. Very interesting interview.
In Europe the best is Green Aqua 😛
Truly inspiring!
Guys do not feel bad to say it. ADG is really the best one. And we stand behind this statement too. 🙂 This is the highest level showroom what we've seen since we're in the business. A huge place with a well-designed interior. Been always a great inspiration for us. Love it, and love what Jeff and Mike did for this hobby. We have their books too on our shelf 🙂 Great guys, amazing works, true icons of our age. Love from Budapest guys 🙂 – Viktor
Good work! Great tank and scraper. Keep right on doing what you are doing. Watching makes me happy.🐟🌿🐠😎