Pics - possible layout, thoughts?

The Big Figfetti · Feb 19, 2023

Thoughts on this layout…
I’m trying to be like the pros but I just can’t seem to get this to come together right. It feels off. Maybe too much going on, or not the right type of rocks to go with the scale of the tank and the driftwood?
I’m not sure.
But I know I want a ‘river’ of white sand. The rest will be black sand.
And I don’t know exactly the types of plants I want. Or if I should leave the sides empty and only plant in a triangle in the middle and back.
But I know I want anubias, ferns, crypts, ludwigia, and maybe s. Repens, or some other foreground greenery.

Wills · Feb 19, 2023

It looks good but not 100% natural to me at the moment, I think if you moved things a little but kept in mind how a flowing river would position them. If you pick a direction you want to show the water moving across the tank you can position the wood and rocks to follow that flow, at the moment you have a lot of things crossing each other or in the sand path the rocks around it look too purposeful.

jaylach · Feb 19, 2023

Keep in mind that, unless the rocks holding the 'river' of white sand is a solid unit, over time your white and black sand is going to mix.

WhistlingBadger · Feb 19, 2023

Your overall concept is sound, although Jaylach is probably right about the sand mixing over time. You might have to line the "river" with plastic, seal the whole thing with silicone, or something of the sort.

There is, to my eye, too much contrast between the large, straight-sided river rocks and the surrounding smooth, black sand. Partially burying a few of those rocks in the black sand might ease the transition and make the whole thing look a bit more natural. Also, be sure to add enough sand to bury the bases of the wood pieces.

The Big Figfetti · Feb 19, 2023

Thank you for the great feedback!
I took this pic without the white in the back. I haven’t decided if I want black or white back there. But sorry for the bad reflection.

But here’s another arrangement. Maybe my river concept isn’t conveying the way I’m picturing it. I’ve seen some really pretty ones! I do want to slant the rocks, and embed them in the sides, so the white sand doesn’t escape. I’m ok with maintaining it as needed for the look. Or maybe add in some small pebble or slate in the white, on the edges, to make it look like it’s supposed to be freckled for contrast. We’ll see!
I also will elevate the back with sand, so it has a slope to the front. Which I can’t show in the picture with paint.

There are so many ways to do this. I’ll keep playing and just take pics and try to find something more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

I appreciate the feedback!

jaylach · Feb 19, 2023

The Big Figfetti said:
Thank you for the great feedback!
I took this pic without the white in the back. I haven’t decided if I want black or white back there. But sorry for the bad reflection.

But here’s another arrangement. Maybe my river concept isn’t conveying the way I’m picturing it. I’ve seen some really pretty ones! I do want to slant the rocks, and embed them in the sides, so the white sand doesn’t escape. I’m ok with maintaining it as needed for the look. Or maybe add in some small pebble or slate in the white, on the edges, to make it look like it’s supposed to be freckled for contrast. We’ll see!
I also will elevate the back with sand, so it has a slope to the front. Which I can’t show in the picture with paint.

There are so many ways to do this. I’ll keep playing and just take pics and try to find something more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

I appreciate the feedback!

Just make sure to NOT put too much weight to OUR opinions. It is your tank and the only opinion that matters is yours as long as the setup is healthy for your fish. You are the one that looks at it every day so your opinion is the only one that matters.

Byron · Feb 19, 2023

The Big Figfetti said:
Thank you for the great feedback!
I took this pic without the white in the back. I haven’t decided if I want black or white back there. But sorry for the bad reflection.

But here’s another arrangement. Maybe my river concept isn’t conveying the way I’m picturing it. I’ve seen some really pretty ones! I do want to slant the rocks, and embed them in the sides, so the white sand doesn’t escape. I’m ok with maintaining it as needed for the look. Or maybe add in some small pebble or slate in the white, on the edges, to make it look like it’s supposed to be freckled for contrast. We’ll see!
I also will elevate the back with sand, so it has a slope to the front. Which I can’t show in the picture with paint.

There are so many ways to do this. I’ll keep playing and just take pics and try to find something more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

I appreciate the feedback!

I'm thinking of the fish, and this is much better for them. Though I also find it more relaxing for me to look at.

The Big Figfetti · Feb 19, 2023

jaylach said:
Just make sure to NOT put too much weight to OUR opinions. It is your tank and the only opinion that matters is yours as long as the setup is healthy for your fish. You are the one that looks at it every day so your opinion is the only one that matters.

Thanks!

I’m considering mine and my kids opinions as well as y’all’s. I’m indecisive and a perfectionist and I could rescale it a hundred times and still feel that it’s not right lol
I want to at least come up with a few more options while I wait for other supplies to come in and then I’ll settle on something.
In the meantime, I really do appreciate the feedback from everyone!

The Big Figfetti · Feb 19, 2023

Byron said:
I'm thinking of the fish, and this is much better for them. Though I also find it more relaxing for me to look at.

Thanks, Byron. This seems to be a more stable set up too.

otterblue · Feb 19, 2023

I think it's really cool looking.

The Big Figfetti · Feb 20, 2023

Tried a few more layouts today. But this one was the only one that the majority of us liked. So far these 3 in the thread are the top contenders.
I’m trying to break up the line of sight and create hiding spaces for the fish.

Byron · Feb 20, 2023

No mention of the intended fish species has been made yet, and that is or should be the primary driver here. The hardscape will be a factor in the health of the fish which is why one needs to ensure what the fish need is provided, but nothing that is detrimental to the fish.

I had though as one example that the white "river" was gone, but maybe not, and this is not going to be good for the fish. White substrates are stressful because they are even brighter under the tank light. When I earlier said it was relaxed, it was because the white river was not present. Something to think about.

This was the main probleem with the so-called "natural aquarium" designs of Amano. They were anything but beneficial to the poor fish that had to survive in them.

The Big Figfetti · Feb 20, 2023

Byron said:
No mention of the intended fish species has been made yet, and that is or should be the primary driver here. The hardscape will be a factor in the health of the fish which is why one needs to ensure what the fish need is provided, but nothing that is detrimental to the fish.

I had though as one example that the white "river" was gone, but maybe not, and this is not going to be good for the fish. White substrates are stressful because they are even brighter under the tank light. When I earlier said it was relaxed, it was because the white river was not present. Something to think about.

This was the main probleem with the so-called "natural aquarium" designs of Amano. They were anything but beneficial to the poor fish that had to survive in them.

It’s going to be a pea puffer tank. And I’m going for the type of look below, but with contrast from black to white. The sand I got isn’t white, it’s more tan, but it will look like a contrast between the two. The small pebbles I use will be gray slate like stones and I will sprinkle those all in the tank and in the sand. It won’t just be a stark white River. Plus, as others have said, it will get ‘dirty’ and I’m ok with that.
I’ll also have floaters on top and plan to let the roots come all the way down, for even more hiding spots and cover.
I don’t plan to have a green planted ground cover, because I don’t plan on running CO2, but I do want small foreground plants in the black sand. So it’s not just a plain ground substrate.

The Big Figfetti · Feb 20, 2023

I do plan to add a variety of plants. But it’s hard to convey that in a finger painting

But I want to plant it heavy, but naturally, with plants acting as fillers and eye line sight barriers.

WhistlingBadger · Feb 20, 2023

Tan sand should be fine for the fish, especially if there are plenty of floating plants overhead to diffuse the light. I think you have a rather unique and interesting concept. Looking forward to seeing it develop.

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Pics - possible layout, thoughts?

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