How it all started

Hi, I am David Moses Heng, founder of Aquatic EDEN Pte Ltd.

 

 Since I was young, I have always loved freshwater tropical aquarium fishes, setting up planted aquariums, and building scale military models.  Little did I know that as I grew older, these hobbies of mine turned out to be life savers for me.Before you read on, be informed that this article contains mentions of suicide ideation, and depression.  If you are not comfortable reading on, feel free to leave.

 

In 2005, due to an injury sustained while I was with the Army, I had to undergo reconstruction of both my knees – my calves had dropped out of the knee socket due to adverse wear and tear. Following the operations (I had 2, one in 2005 and the other in 2006), I was put on a regime of physiotherapy for two years which proved to be one of the most painful and darkest periods of my life.   

 

I was also permanently downgraded from PES A to PES E9L9, with 40% total permanent disability because of my injury.Prior the injury, nothing can stop me from doing what I love except myself.  BUT after the injury, I was put on a brace for 2 years – one for each leg and what was once daily normal activity became a mobility nightmare. Because of the surgery, I lost all movements and strengths on my legs from the knee downwards.  The physio regime to rebuild the muscles was painful as the muscles were disabled so they could regrow back and hence realign my legs. My range of motion was limited by the brace and every week’s review was exciting but scary at the same time. Very soon, I became depressed because those sessions were long, painful and tiring.

 

What was once simple activities became extremely difficult. I lost interest in many things and experienced frequent meltdowns because of the pain and the loss of control over things.One example would be when I was on an outing with my family at SUNTEC sometime between 2005to 2007. My body suddenly entered into a period of ultra-low energy, resulting in me sitting on the floor, refusing to move like a little child having tantrums when I was a 30 year old grown man with a 3-year-old daughter who was there watching the whole episode, not comprehending what was happening to me.The loss of control over both my emotions and my body frustrated and scared me. It was in those days that I rediscovered the art of Aquascaping. 

 

As I was on medical leave for 2 years, reporting to NUH Clinic B for my daily Physio was the only thing I could do. Enroute the journey, I would pass by several aquarium shops every day.It was then that I began to really immerse myself into the beautiful art of aquascaping.  I could sit on the cement floor for hours, look at the plants releasing streams of oxygen bubbles into the water and the fishes swimming carefreely amongst the driftwood and plants. 

 

Before long, I was captivated by the beautiful world of aquascaping. Soon, I also invested in a 422 (a tank size that is 242 litres) with sump (filter) for my house.  I spent hours arranging my tank and adjusting the lights and CO2 to create the ideal environment for my plants and animals.Looking at the life inside the tank grow and mature helped take my mind off the pain and stress of physio.

 

Driven by the desire to elevate the standard of my scape, I would also spend hours reading up, learning how I could best duplicate Nature at home.  I was soon introduced to communities both in Singapore and everywhere else around the world.In the course of learning this hobby, I regained much appreciation for what I learnt in school as what were previous dormant topics of Science and Maths became alive to me in the form of breathing aquascape.

 

 Hence, aquascaping to me is more than a mere hobby.  It has aided me in my journey with depression and helped me to have a renewed appreciation for my previous academic learning.

 

 ​I am convinced that it can offer the same benefits to you as well.