tirtha1979

After raising plants under water for last 1 year, this is my first attempt to do some aquascaping. I have a small tank which was sitting idle for a long time. And for my faulty dosing it became an algae farm. Last week I planned to re setup the tank but using the old cycled substrate. Below is my Tank Details,

Tank: It's a custom built tank with 2'x1.5'(h)x1' size.

Substrate: 1" Bottom Layer of Sera FlowerDepot topped with 3-4mm river gravel.

Lights: Will use 4 2' 18watt each T8 lamp with reflector.

CO2: DIY Yeast Reactor with 120bubbles/min flow rate.

So I finalized my scape first on a drawing board



Then Did Some Homework with Hard Scaping





And Finally Placed the rocks inside



I will be getting plants by next weekend and will complete plantation. Any Idea, Sugession most welcome.

Squawkbert

1) I like the rocks & I think the arrangement will work as long as the short ones are not completely buried by plants

2) Choose your focal point carefully (top of tall rock - remember phi)

3) If that substrate has been sitting w/o any fish or inverts in the tank, it is no longer cycled, so plan on doing a fishless cycle or using a filter from a cycled tank or choosing your initial fauna carefully.

4) I think that background will detract from the scape. I'd go for a light solid or wash... but that's me.

Dreamscaper

Nice rock placement and anticipated plant layout. Id agree with squawkbert on the background. A solid background, (I like black, or the sky blue), allows focus on YOUR efforts in aquascaping. The "rocks" background takes away from your very nice idea. Might want to slope the substrate higher in the back, low in the front, or left to right too.

tirtha1979

Thanks a lot for your replies and sugession. I will work accordingly fro sure.

[quote=Squawkbert;333374]1) If that substrate has been sitting w/o any fish or inverts in the tank, it is no longer cycled, so plan on doing a fishless cycle or using a filter from a cycled tank or choosing your initial fauna carefully.
[quote]

The tank was really overstocked with fishes for last 4 months. So it's having a huge bacterial colony to support a huge bioload. I stocked arround 30 fishes in this small tank.


For the background, I am completely agree with you all. But I have done a one time permanent mistek. While setting the tank up in past I paste the background with silicon glue. So there is no way that I can change it now.

NoSvOrAx

I used black spray paint on my 20 long. Looks great and makes the plants really pop.

fluffiebuggie

I agree that's a very nice layout of stone, but I too think the background should go. I think it's always best to go for a clear back, then add different colour/texture as and when you like.

Also, I would probably slope the gravel a little more, raise it up a bit at the back so that it gives some more depth. As you've gone for a nice large area of carpeting, I think it'll look better and less uniform if there is some small hills or sloping.

It's looking good either way, very nice indeed. Please keep the rest of us updated?

dawntwister

I have read, at this site, that if you slope the gravel it will eventually level out. I love the whole set up. Would like to have that background for my tank. If you want to slope it best to creat an appearance of sloping with rocks and moss. I think all that needed is - some tall plants on right side and some small plants. in front.

messy_da_legend

Did you just glue the edges? Silicon is easy to remove with a razorblade

Tom

dawntwister

Love the background. Where did you get it and what was the cost? Also where did you get the river gravel and it's cost?

Paul Munro

I don't mean to be rude but that hard scape looks sort of falic! lol