South Asia Via South Hams

OK, so as my main tank, now pretty much looks after itself.I've decided to overhaul my original (and only previous) 40L / 10Gal tank. Going to use it as a practise tank, to improve scaping skills.

Had i realised a year ago that i was going to get this involved with planting it might have been better to play around with this before setting up my main tank, but there we are.

I've narrowed new scape down to couple of ideas but thought i'd throw this out there to see what help/suggestions are around.

The plan is to attempt a triangle scape, but instead of the wood & rocks examples i've seen, just use some rocks that i came across this summer.

My concern is that they will either get lost amongst the planting or be to distracting due to their colour.

Rough outline



Rubbish photo





Substrate to slope down from back left corner

light green=H.Corymbosa

dark green=H.polysperma

a slender Crypt that doesn't get too tall maybe 'Walkeri'? amongst the smaller rocks, leading down to a lower foreground plant.Hairgrass?

I think i'm missing something at the back, just to the left of centre.

Cat litter substrate. Something around 1.5-1.8 WPG .Easycarbo daily & dry ferts (already have these). I know easycarbo is not as effective as pressurised, so what % of EI dosing do you use? yet to research inhabitants.

What do you think? Any potential or tosh? (i have a thick skin)

edit:the sand is for design purposes only.

I love your sand that is for design purposes only!!!

Tosh...

it all has potential Stu, and practise tanks are great. If you want to be able to scape a tank, the only way to do this is practise. You will see all the names in aquascaping advocating this. You will learn what plants are hard to grow, which ones are easy. Sometimes, if you are interested in this side of the hobby, ripping down a scape shouldn't be a big thing as this is how you learn. Sometimes i get a bit of a rap for ripping down scapes...for me this is the way i learn. I have kept scapes 6 months, to a year. I have kept them 4 weeks. Getting the artistic thing right is the bit that everyone needs practise on.

If you have the money, then go for it, it all looks good to me and i'm sure you'll make a top job of it.

Cheers Ian.Gone for a smaller tank, so i don't need to buy as much to fill it.And yes, there will be constant start & stop of scapes with this tank, nothing long term.Any advice, pointers?
Minnnnnnt, see edit

Stu, see edit...

Only thing i would say is that when you rescape it then go for a totally different look. That was the thing that i was picked up on with mine, although it is very different actually.

Also, keep and eye on the crypts for melt everytime you rescape it.

Walkeri is an excellent variety, as is Undulatus, Bullosa and Amicorum. Everyone knows i love them and look forward to seeing them being used in your scape!

the rocks will get lost...

have a read of this regarding rock arrangements

http/www.aquajournal.net/na/iwagumi/introduction.html

http/www.aquajournal.net/na/iwagumi/texture.html

ianho said:

the rocks will get lost...

Click to expand...

Thought that might be the case.Thanks for links, doubt if i'd have found them.

minnnt said:

Only thing i would say is that when you rescape it then go for a totally different look. That was the thing that i was picked up on with mine, although it is very different actually.

Also, keep and eye on the crypts for melt everytime you rescape it.

Walkeri is an excellent variety, as is Undulatus, Bullosa and Amicorum. Everyone knows i love them and look forward to seeing them being used in your scape!

Click to expand...

i'm assuming you mean the next rescape on this one (after the one i haven't actually started).At the mo this couldn't get much further from my current tank.

Yeah. The scape in this tank mate. If your plan is to keep rescaping then ensure they're completely different to each other. Plus this way you would learn more too I guess.

Don't seem able to edit earlier posts.
Different tank 60L now.
1st attempt:










Basic plan the same as before.Substrate banked to the left side, sloping down to the right.
Hairgrass starting low right to left, moving up & through rocks to mid level crypts to tall stems back right, behind wood.
Mid level stems/crypts? in front of wood, down to foreground planting front left.
Hideous pink bulb to be changed.

Niiiiiiiiiiiice mate!! You getting arty with the camera aswell now?

planted right this will look good. Also ensure the substrate is banked correctly and you'll be on a winner.

Is it a clearseal tank stu? If you're not using a condensation tray then why not take the supports off too for a nice clean look? I can see this being another success for you for sure mate!

Thanks chaps

minnnt said:

Niiiiiiiiiiiice mate!! You getting arty with the camera aswell now?

Click to expand...

Arty? Nah,the lighting in my study (ooooooooo!) is dim, so i turned the luminaire on and the horrid pink bulb gave it that effect

ianho said:

planted right this will look good. Also ensure the substrate is banked correctly and you'll be on a winner.

Click to expand...

Really? or are you just massaging my ego ? This was a first attempt and didn't think it'd be anywhere near right yet.Banked correct how? The plateau bit to the left, of lefthand rock, or the slope down to the right from said rock?
+ as a mod, do you know why i can't edit my previous posts on this thread (from Dec)?

minnnt said:

Is it a clearseal tank stu? If you're not using a condensation tray then why not take the supports off too for a nice clean look? I can see this being another success for you for sure mate!

Click to expand...

It is a clearseal.Not bad for £27.Looked at nice one in LFS with a better footprint 600x400x400 but was over £100.
In 2 minds about the support.Was thinking about having Shrimpies to help maintain the Hairgrass, which means condensation tray to keep them in? Open to suggestions

I don't think they will escape. I'm planning on moving my shrimp to my clearseal tank which is open top once the puffers go into the bigger tank downstairs. Unsure though mate, ian has shrimp in his tank and that's open topped.

i can just imagine the look on my mrs' face if one of them tried to make a break for it . The cat would probably get there first though.Guess what make the filter is?