Navarro

Thank you for the advise Tomas! Just for the record there is lot's of plants in the back, they just need to grow a bit more =0)
I will take pictures every week to show the progress of this easy to maintain layout.
Please keep me posted with the results of your test.
Cheers,
Navarro

Paul Higashikawa

Now, that's what I'm talking about! About time we see another piece from Luis The pleasure was all ours, man! It was really awesome seeing you do the magic. Although, I have to admit, it looks really easy and nice now, guys. It wasn't when he was setting things up. We must've spent at least 4 hours in there. It was worth it, though, cus you don't get this kind of experience everyday. I definitely learned way more than before when I would just read on-line from people's experiences. Seeing things in person puts you in a whole new perspective that oftentimes will take away the bias easily developed from just by reading from on-line sources.

For instance, before, I would see a tank on-line and wonder,"Why did this person design this tank this way? Why did he place the rock this way and not the other? Etc....." But being able to see the tanks in person gives you that 3-D analytical experience, and thus completes the whole picture. You therefore understand a little better why the person designed the tank the way he did. To give another example, the recent tank scaped by Jeff Senske; the one with rocks. You just have to go to the gallery and check out the tank yourself. It definitely speaks way louder at you than from just looking at the pictures. Honestly, the pictures don't do that tank justice, at all.

Sorry, I digressed Luis, don't forget to post updates!

Navarro

OK here is the 2 week update.
Luis

Bert H

Looking real good Luis!

ranmasatome

It looks great!! but maybe its just me but those rocks bother the crap outta me.. maybe its the colour... i'm weird..

tsunami

Week 2:



Carlos

jsenske

That rock looks real nice once it gets a little algae patina going. I use it often and don't much care for it in the beginning either. It has great character that is enhanced as it ages in the aquarium.

Paul Higashikawa

Like I said before and I will say it again, ya really gotta see all these tanks in person to make those comments. To me, it really is unfair to those scapers. And believe me, before I also based on the photos alone when making comments about the hardscapes, but once I got the chance to check them out in person I took the opportunity. The rocks are awesome!

ranmasatome

well..i'm not saying those rocks aren't good or nice.. like i said the tank looks great.. but i'm just bothered by the colour of the rocks in terms of uniformity with the entire scape..but then i know this is a young tank.. so perhaps when it ages.. so will those rocks blend in.. Perhaps the best way i can say it now is that it "lacks flow" because of the rocks

As for photography and picure judgements.. well.. IF you send a tank for a competiton.. i dont think the judges would come over to personally inspect your tank. its all picure based until you win and they wanna do a interview or soemthing. so if something doesn't look good on pic then well... good luck. i know its unfair.. but everyone has been on that end.

Aaron

There is no substitute for seeing any tank in person, putting up a nice, focused, properly exposed shot of a tank is the best alternative. Without critiquing photos, this hobby goes no where. We get it, you love Luis's and Jeff's tanks and I do not doubt that they kick butt in person. Some day I'll come to Houston and check them out. In the mean time, I have pictures on the internet.

As for the tank, I find that the rock work is contrived. Although they vary in shape and size, they are placed in a line and are relatively equidistant to each other. I would recomend removing a few to break up the line they create. This will also connect the front of the tank to the back and allow a path for the eye to follow. as it stands there is no "poetic relationship" between the foreground and background.

The other aspect of the layout which I find weak are the two "book ends" of driftwood. each are too similar in shapes, size, and angle. They do not fit with the dramatic sweeping centerpiece that you have chosen. I would take one, maybe even both out and use different textures of stem plants in there place.

Lastly, I want to see what it would look like if the Cyperus bent over in the opposite direction... All these lines imply a whole lot of movement to the left. If the current stays the same, you'll need something strong on the right to anchor and balance the composition.

Just my 6 cents...