Alex's 150l

[alexandre]

Hi evry one.

I open a new topic here, which is a more appropriate place than the one before.

My last aquascape for reminder: Alex's 150L v1

I replaced my Prodac substrate by 5L of Tropica substrate and 36 Tropica capsules. I added two Giesemann PowerChrome T-5 aquaflora. So now the light is 5x24W T5 (3x Osram Luminux Deluxe and 2 Giesemann). I swapped as-well my Aqua Medic 1000 reactor for a diffuser.

Anyway here is my new aquascape.

Improvements need to be done so your comments are welcome.

 

[Biulu]

It looks nice! What is the grassy plant which is very visible in your second picture?

Apart from the Tropica substrate, what else are you using? Do you have toplayer of sand, gravel? Or substrate mixed in?

 

[alexandre]

It looks nice! What is the grassy plant which is very visible in your second picture?

Apart from the Tropica substrate, what else are you using? Do you have toplayer of sand, gravel? Or substrate mixed in?

Thanks Biulu,

In the second picture, at the back is Eleocharis Vivipara and in front of it, it is Juncus Repens. On the top of the Tropica substrate I used 10/15cm of black fine gravel.

 

[mlawson]

Looks brilliant! I like the almost overgrown look in the middle.

That picture of the moss with the cherry shrimp in is great.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[oatfish]

WOW! I love the look of this tank, and the wildness to it, the fish and shrimps look like they love it in there! The grass looks cool too.

 

[DevUK]

Fantastic scape! What moss is that?

 

[alexandre]

Thanks every one,

@ DevUK : The moss is Peacock.

 

[Castellop123]

Nice scape...

 

[Themuleous]

Lovely looking tank you got there If it can make one suggestion, what about trimming the right side of the main 'bunch' so there is a more stark contract in height and so it matches the right side, at the moment, to my eye at least, there seems to be a bit of a divided in the tank with the left side looking to be a nothignness space Just a thought.

BTW why did you swap to a diffuser for the reactor? I would think it's better to have as much kit out of the tank as possible?

Sam

 

[alexandre]

Thanks Corin.

Lovely looking tank you got there smile.gif If it can make one suggestion, what about trimming the right side of the main 'bunch' so there is a more stark contract in height and so it matches the right side, at the moment, to my eye at least, there seems to be a bit of a divided in the tank with the left side looking to be a nothignness space smile.gif Just a thought.

BTW why did you swap to a diffuser for the reactor? I would think it's better to have as much kit out of the tank as possible?

Sam

Thanks Sam,
I agree with you. I forgot to mention that the aquascape is two weeks hold. So the bush never been trimmed. There is some Crypt and Accicularis on the left, witch need to grow. I am thinking as-well to move the wood a inch or two to the right.
The problem with the AM 1000 is the connections are 12mm and the 2028 17mm, so my water flow wasn't very good and I had to had an extra external pump with the pipes etc.. So about the equipment inside the aquarium it's a bit more or less the same. Beside I wanted to try diffuser.
So I tried a couple of them. I started with the Rhinox 2000. Good but the CO2 was getting out on a corner of the ceramic disc, not very pretty. After a week I decided to buy an ADA diffuser and they are good, the CO2 come out the middle of the disc now . The bubbles are a bit smaller as-well and the glass is more thick to. I am happy with it but value for money it is just a rip off. £90 difference with the Rhinox.

 

[alexandre]

Here is few shots after replanting the bush and playing Dr Frankenstein with the wood. It is better, but I am still not sure about it. So your comments and critics are welcome.

 

[Liam]

I think the scape is beautiful, the moss wood is super, the new tank pic looks a lot better, is that because the water is clearer. I prefer the first placing of the wood, not sure why, maybe now the wood looks too 'centrepiece', the red plant sort of draws the eye to the v shape of the wood.
It looks excellent all in all.

 

[alexandre]

I think the scape is beautiful, the moss wood is super, the new tank pic looks a lot better, is that because the water is clearer. I prefer the first placing of the wood, not sure why, maybe now the wood looks too 'centrepiece', the red plant sort of draws the eye to the v shape of the wood.
It looks excellent all in all.

Thanks Liam,

I now use Purigen, That's maybe why the pictures look better. I don't think my photography skill did improve.
The wood is maybe a bit to center but I tried a bit more on the left an it wasn't right either. The Arcuata will be the focal, there is also some Najean in front of it. So the bush will distract the eyes from the wood. That's the idea anyway.

 

[George Farmer]

Superb Alex. Well done!

If I had one minor crtitisism, if I may, I think the 'n' shape of the right hand branch affects the layout in a slightly unatural way, mimicing the profile of the background mound. A 'u' shape branch would look better IMHO, but I know there's little you can do.

Maybe it's becuase the base of the wood is so visible too? That should improve in time.

Anyway, great job. You've got skills, for sure.

 

[alexandre]

Hi George,

Of course you may, I am glad you did. Thanks for your comments.
I agree with you about the wood, things need to be improved. I bought 5/6 pieces of this wood and thought it will be more or less a piece of cake to do the hardscape. Well... I was wrong.
You're right as well for the base of the wood, the cryps and HM need to grow and probably a couple of small branches like mentioned Ed on AE. I am also thinking to cut l'Eleocharis Acicuaris at the back so it is just a inch or so taller than the Parvula, that might change the over all shape quiet a bit.