Help setting up the new tank!

[maddog10]

I like this version better.

[Aaron]

I think this is a case of too much hardscape. I think you can still remove about half of those stones and still get the effect you're after. You don't need the ones behind the driftwood at all unless they are "keystones"

I agree with Jeff that you'll want to move everything forward a couple of inches.

The "ring" of rocks shouldn't be necessary to keep the HC from creeping into the Rotala. It won't have enough light and besides you're going to trim it anyhow, right? Right?

The driftwood is all facing the same direction. Try to make it seem more random. Some of it should even come at us as viewers. 3D is the key.

[maddog10]

This is what my previous post said before I revised it. Should of left it alone!


I like this version better, which means the actual experienced scapers will not like it.

[Aaron]

This is what my previous post said before I revised it. Should of left it alone!


I like this version better, which means the actual experienced scapers will not like it.

Well, it's tricky because as a hardscape just by itself it's pretty cool. However, envisioning the plants within it it might be overcrowded. Trust me, I'm no Amano.

[eleontie]

I can not picture a scape with stem plants ( tiny leaves ) and those thousand branches in there. I would get fewer of those ( maybe a little thicker ) ...


Eugen

[Aaron]

Here's a good example of how much a hardscape gets engulfed by plants over time.

Before:


After:

[ingg]

They are keystones, I can see if I can use smaller rocks tho.

One of the reasons I'm rock heavy is this is the future home of my dwarf crays, and they like caves - and are territorial, so lots of little hidey holes are recommended.

I'm worried I'll lose all of the rock under anubias and java fern and never see it, so keep making it all big. Am now worried it is too big!

[ingg]

Reset from lots of advise.

Disclaimer: I know the rocks in the ring are going to all but disappear. They are for me to create spacial separations, it is okay if they disappear. The ones in back are to halt hairgrass runners, the ones in front to stop HC runners.

Entire set moved up - trusting you folks, I really didn't want to do this one!

Wood reset to have larger pieces up front, smaller in rear, hopefully better arrangement of angles.

Rockpile reset - it didn't go together as cleanly as before, have to bust up a couple and look for the right keys for the back side.

[krisw]

Looks a lot better to me! Now plant it!

[sherrymitchell]

I Love it! I agree with Kris -- it needs plants now. What are you going to do as a background??