design philosophy--comments solicited

B Considine · Post by **B Considine** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:25 pm

After much delay, I am almost ready to begin operation of a 65 gallon tank (36 x 25 x 18").

Since height is an issue here, what would a good, sloping substrate depth be? I was thinking 2" in front up to 4" in the back corners. OK? Not deep enough?

For perspective, should I place larger-leaved stems toward the front and finer leaves toward the back? Would I then trim the larger leaved plants into a tighter shrub and allow the back to grow taller?

Since the layout is U-shaped, should I leave a bit of the back to show through?

Where do I place plants with a contrasting color? I will have 2 pieces of hardscape, one twice as large as the 2nd. Do I place the contrast plant with the smaller or larger piece?

Philosophical and aesthetic considerations welcome.

Blaise

jcali10 · Post by **jcali10** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:28 pm

First off, that's a nice size tank. I don't see the height as an issue, there are plenty of tall plants, and it shouldn't be too tall to properly illuminate with a fluorescent fixture. You can use the golden ratio, that mathmatical formula that determines what placement of focal points is most appealing to the human eye.

I try to arrange plants by size, not leave shape or size so much. Tall in the back, short in the front. I know I'm not gonna win any aquascaping contests. I just try to fit as many variety of colors, shapes and sizes as I can into the picture. But I also realize less is more sometimes, and just a few varieties of plants can make quite a statement also.

ingg · Post by **ingg** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:16 pm

Blaise - the plant you wanted is currently being cleaned and pruned for rescape.... pm me a good time for you to swing by and grab some.

If you are looking to force perspective like my 180g, then yeah, you have the idea. That is one of many plans, though!

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:22 am

2" in front to 4" in back sounds about right, though I wouldn't go much higher than 4" in the back.

jcali10 · Post by **jcali10** » Tue May 12, 2009 1:25 pm

Define force perspective please, I can't visualize it.

ingg · Post by **ingg** » Tue May 12, 2009 3:17 pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forced_perspective

In our case, it is essentially using plants, sloping, and hardscape to force it to look like you are seeing very very far into a horizon.

I attempted to do it in my 180g - the rocks in the central back face are supposed to evoke a distant mountain.

jcali10 · Post by **jcali10** » Tue May 12, 2009 4:04 pm

That wiki explanation about covers it, thanks. I was thinking it was a term you coined at first.

design philosophy--comments solicited

design philosophy--comments solicited

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