underwater garden, feat. tom_zg - Aquascaping

tom_zg · 04-24-2007, 07:49 AM

Well, almost there. The 200 litres tank was set up in late January, and now after almost three months the pains and frustrations the results are starting to show. When I say "pains and frustration" I'm referring to green algae invasion, severe chronical CO2 deficiency, a minor flood caused by a broken filter (floor's fine, thank God!!!

hew

, leaf chlorosis, etc. etc. Anyway, the results are as follows:

the beginning:

two weeks ago:

last week:

The main difference now and two weeks ago is that the stargrass was banned and replaced by java fern. Reson? The darend thing grew too fast which required too much diving and cutting and fiddeling. As you can guess this causes me no great pleasure. At the same time, in 75 l tank I had a java fern growing and literally suffocating the rest of the plants, so... I decided to be practical.

The pics attached are not yet the final stage. I'm still trying to make the aromatica grow bushier in the right back corner as well as Alternanthera growing in front of it. So, any comments are more than welcome!

cs_gardener · 04-24-2007, 09:31 AM

Looking good. I like how you've changed it, the fern gives it a diagonal movement which draws my eye to the lily at the left of it It does need to be a bit fuller at the top left, so I hope you can get those plants to grow.

stepheus · 04-24-2007, 11:05 AM

to tell you the truth, i like the 1st and the 2nd picture. the 1st featured a lot of opened space and potential if it grows out. the 2nd in another hand is very balanced with a lot of different types of leave shapes and sizes.

the java fern in the 3rd is a little abrupt. maybe it needs a lil more time to grow into a more natural form to blend into the surrounding of the tank. the midground is kinda lost when u put in the java fern. maybe thats what you need. a midground. hope you take my comments well. i am sure the final pictures are all you need to justify yourself.

Nevermore · 04-24-2007, 11:01 PM

I can understand about wanting to make things easier, truth be told, however, I think it looks much better with the stargrass. That picture has a "Wow" effect!

tom_zg · 04-25-2007, 04:52 AM

@ cs_gardener: yes, Ludwigia on the lest needs some pruning, and I'll do that as soon as the stems get just a bit more stronger. Also, R. rotundifolia in front of if was cut just a day before taking this pic, so this plant also needs to fill it's space.

@ stepheus: you are absolutely right: as I said, java fern was taken from a 75 litres tank which became too small for this plant. So, if looked at closely one could see that the plant shows a cube-like shape, something like square shaped watermelons in Japan.

)) In the midground I planted some brown leafed Cryptocorynes - they are visible on the second picture. It will take some time for them to grow and become more visible, I hope.

@ Nevermore: well... this Microsorium and I go a long way and I just couldn't disregard it's need for space. Also, stargrass REALLY grows too fast and I don't have the time to maintain it in presentable condition. Moreover it used to spread across the surface shading the rest of the plants, so a compromise had to be found. Stargrass now (one part of it) grows in 75 litres.

Thank you all for the imput. stepheus, all comments are welcome - two heads are always smarter than one!

houseofcards · 04-25-2007, 06:33 AM

I could definitely relate to the stargrass. I used to have it as a dominate plant in my scape and it's just way to much maintenance. It would literally grow a few inches overnite.

All the scapes are very nice, actually I like the scape with the fern, I think the stargrass is too dominate in the first pic, especially up high. I like it low in the midground, but that get's back to the maintenance think. I think the fern should be reduced and get that aromatica going or maybe even Rotala Rotundila.

Fabac · 04-25-2007, 06:34 AM

bravo tompa! I like the 2nd picture.

tom_zg · 05-07-2007, 07:58 AM

Small update - did some minor rearrangements...

P Zero · 05-07-2007, 02:57 PM

I'm no expert, but after looking at this thread for a while I think I prefer the version below. It's more interesting to look at in my opinion.

dowdeva · 05-08-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P Zero

I'm no expert, but after looking at this thread for a while I think I prefer the version below. It's more interesting to look at in my opinion.

I agree, it is startling, mysterious, and the flow is beautiful. The center formation almost looks like a mountain.

The other one seems more pedestrian to me. My first post ever on auaticplantcentral and I hope I am allowed to say that (pedestrian).

dowdeva