11" cube. - Aquascaping

Garuf · 07-13-2008, 02:57 PM

Hello, this is my recently set up cube, vital statistics below.
Please critique, all comments welcomed.

Hardware:
Tank:l11xd10xh12 homemade
Filter: Eden 501
Light: aquadistri 18watt clip on light.
Substrate: ADA Aquasoil
Co2: Pressurised via a fire extinguisher.
Ferts: EI

Plants:
Downoi
Ultricia gramnifolia
Blyxa japonica
rotalla wallachi
rotalla rotundifolia green
anubias nana petite
narrow leave java fern
Bolbitis
Spiky moss.

And here she is.

BryceM · 07-13-2008, 06:32 PM

30 views and no responses?

Well, I think you've got a great start with the hardscape. The one lighter-colored flat rock in front of the wood doesn't seem to fit in color-wise. I think the plants need to grow in a bit and for photographic purposes, the equipment should be removed and the walls should be wiped free of algae. The nice thing about a nano is that it only takes a second.

One thing that would make the greatest difference is to develop some sort of foreground. There are plenty of low-growers that would work - Marselia, HC, smaller crypts, and maybe even Eliocharis around the rocks......... but that's just me.

You might try experimenting with camera angles and lighting too. It might be "cheating" but the effect can make or break the way it comes off in photos.

Garuf · 07-14-2008, 06:43 AM

Thanks for the tips BryceM, I do have a foreground, thing is it's Ultricia gramnifolia which is a very slow grower initially I'm waiting on some more downoi to arrive too, my first lot melted for no reason what so ever.
Also, the reason for the rocks being different shades is that 2 have come from this tank in it's previous scape and one is a totally new addition, it'll soon brown up.
I agree about letting it grow out but, bare in mind this tank is only a week old.

Photography wise I can't take a good photo so removing the equipment for the "final shot" seems superfluous.

BryceM · 07-16-2008, 11:34 AM

Just try playing around with the camera. I usually take 40 or 50 shots for every one that I ever post here. Tanks always look better if you use software to crop out the surrounding environment. Little stuff makes a lot of difference.

info scavenger · 07-16-2008, 01:48 PM

Tape a piece of black paper to the back of the tank before taking the pic. It will help to make everything in the tank stand out, almost all photo software will let you crop out the background.
You can get a really nice pic even if you don't have a great camera. IMO I think you will have a very nice tank when it grows out alittle.

Tex Gal · 07-16-2008, 07:24 PM

I really like the foreground bare. I love being able to see the rocks and the trunk with the "roots". I do think the sides of the rocks might be able to have a few plants around them.

Garuf · 07-17-2008, 05:13 AM

Thanks for the tips everyone.
Tex Gal, There is a foreground plant, just not very much of it at the moment, its ultricia gramnifolia and is very slow grower initially.
I'll post up some pictures should I get chance to have a go.

redstrat · 07-17-2008, 06:59 AM

I'm looking forward to seeing the next update, looks like your off to an awesome start, looks like one promising scape

Tex Gal · 07-18-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garuf

Thanks for the tips everyone.
Tex Gal, There is a foreground plant, just not very much of it at the moment, its ultricia gramnifolia and is very slow grower initially.
I'll post up some pictures should I get chance to have a go.

Sorry about that. I didn't see any plant. I have UG in my shrimp tank. It seems to stay messy for a while until finally it roots. Mine is a 10g. I've planted and replanted... and all I have in there is shrimp and 3 pygmy cories!! I can't imagine how some get UG growing in the huge tanks!! Makes me tired thinking about it.

Garuf · 07-18-2008, 04:21 PM

Thanks again for the compliments, I just added some rotalla green and It's looking better already.
I'll post up pictures once there's a significant change in things.