daryn

This is my first attempt for an aquascape, its been ongoing for about 8 month or so and the rocks have always been in the same position but i mess about with different plants sometimes. I dont know what im doing when it comes to layout and stuff so all advice appreciated. Tell me what you think.

Tex Gal

That's nice. How about some lower plants in front of the rocks? Maybe trim the wisteria some. Good start.

daryn

Im stripping it tomorrow to add a proper planting substrate and was thinking of laying a carpet of Glossostigma elatinoides and building a mound inbetween the middle and left rocks for the Hydrocotyle verticillata thats there to be about just under half the waterline and the Glossostigma following it up, i was trying to get the Ceratopteris thalictroides (is this wisteria) to grow along the back pane creating a kind of overhang but keeping it close to the back glass so as to not block too much light out. How does this sound, i want something spectacular but im not good enough and sometimes i can go out and waste alot of money on plants that i change a week later.

thereefsedge

for me, and this all depends on whether u are going to go the natural aquarium way or the dutch way... but that rock in the center!!!!! the sharp or harsh edge to it. its all i see.its what my eyes focus on, and as i look at your tank that edge keeps pulling my eyes away from the rest of the tank. its good that you are using the rules of odds, but switch it up. try putting 2 or the rocks closer together, and the 1 rock on the other side of the tank... always play with your hard scape, and most of the time it will just fall into place.

daryn

Thanks thereefsedge thats exactly what i was needing, someone to tell me what to do, whats the natural and whats the dutch, ive been looking through past threads for some sort of guide on what the different techniques and styles are but cant seem to find any, id love to actually know what im trying to do rather than just random experimentation until it looks ok. Ive rearranged the hardscape a bit and im pretty happy with it but im really not happy with any of the plants, selection and positioning. I know its a nano but id really like it too look full with loads of texture and contrast with a proper sense of scale, but dont know how to achieve this.

PlantsAndMe

Nice tank! Yeah that center rock is very...attractive . What sort of lights are you using?

daryn

Its got 2 arcadia arcpod 9W. I would like it brighter but cant find anything.

thereefsedge

oh ok, a dutch aquarium= large amounts of plants with contrast of colors the reds and greens. and the o natural way, is to think of it like a little bonzi garden.

Chuppy

That's a nice nano tank you have there, Just checking, what are the kelvin ratings for the bulbs you're using? Im seeing a lil blue..

Drew

daryn

I cant find the box for the lights Chuppy so dont know im afraid, im new to this so all i really know is its got the supplied arcadia original tropical lamps and there 9W each. Im sure the box had more info on the side, ive had a look on the net but cant find anything other than wattage. Thereefsedge i want a dutch aquarium, the problem ive got is it houses a Betta splenden and if the tanks too open he will mutilate himself and take huge chunks out his own fins so the sides and back glass must be heavily planted anyway,so the fish is kind of demanding a dutch aquarium, the tanks 14-8-8 inch, could people please recommend some plants to try and some tanks for inspiration, i will be looking myself but in case i miss any(i love the look of some of the mossy tanks on here). Ive got a book called 'mini encyclopedia of aquarium plants' by Peter Hiscock, from interpet publishing, so i am trying myself but not really getting anywhere. Will i be needing to upgrade the lighting before i can put any demanding plants if so could i please have some recommendations. Thanks for all the help and opinions everyone i will put a pic up of how the rocks are later today.