Gravel-scaping

[kneeo]

Hi guys,

Ive seen several tanks at a LFS that have the gravel in the tank at an angle, meaning the gravel in the back is much higher in than in the front. Obviously this is done by just putting more gravel in the back. My problem is that after time goes by and several cleanings with a gravel vaccume, the gravel seems to level out.

So I was thinking if I could make something to put in the bottom of tank to create an angle. That way the rock would stay in place. Im not sure what to create or exactly what material. So I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to do this.

I guess I was thinking of some rounded plastic, cutting it as long as the tank and maybe using some fish safe silicone to glue some rocks down on the plastic. This may help weigh it down so the plastic will want to float. This part could be put in the back and more gravel could be put on it. Then put the gravel in front of it and maybe the effect will look ok. Im not sure.

Any help would be great!!!

 

[Biulu]

I guess what you are looking for is terracing. I have copied once some ideas on the same subject from another forum. These are:

'One way I found that works quite well is inserting pieces of roofing slate into the substrate. I level about 2 inches of substrate and cut pieces of
roofing slate in strips of 2 1/2", 3", and 3 1/2" wide. Cut enough pieces to each width so they will fit across the length of your aquarium.

Insert the pieces vertically into the substrate in ascending order from front to back. Fill the aquarium with the necessary substrate to achieve a slope
from 3 1/2" in the back to 2" in the front. The slate will act as a barrier to prevent the substrate from leveling out. They will also act as stop to
prevent plant runners (under the substrate) from spreading forward or backwards. '

Another idea:
'By using a glass slats say 6x12 inches say 1/4-1/2 thick and gluing cork to one side(the side facing out or the front of the step.......... so to speak)
and attaching Anubias,java fern etc to the cork which works very easily you'll get a beautiful terraced step that LIVES! Bolbtis is great but can
get ominously large. Trimmed down it can be trained somewhat...........but it makes an ideal plant due to the dark contrasting color.
These cork backed slats can be made out of any sinking material that is suitable for aquarium The cork is very cheap and easy to use. There are
many other uses for cork to give a 3-D effect. The cork is the dark brown stuff about 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick sold in arts and crafts stores or hardware
stores. For attachment, I use bendable steel wire cut in an "U" shape nail at any needed length, place the plant inside this "U" and insert into the
cork gently.
By gluing a rectangular box say 3x3x16H of cork and attaching Anubias(or whatever grows well attached) to these "columns" of cork one can
achieve very dramatic effects growing say a low growing plant such as Glossostigma on the ground and have these columns poking out like trees is a
Bonsai forest. Please do odd numbers of "Trees" for the true Bonsai effect <g>!
My whole back wall on my own tanks have cork on them and are packed with plants. No need for Amano's black backgrounds. I'm American and more is
better<g>!!! No , I do have a tank with a black back ground also. It's ALL good IMHO. The sky's the limit with using the cork.

I have used and collected driftwood for well over 20 years now and the cork/plant style makes everything dulpicatible. Often, I'd find a great
piece of driftwood but it was one of a kind. I needed something I didn't mind covering with plants and also I didn't mind parting with if someone
wanted to buy it or do it themselves. But it has grown into a style of its own. Caves, walls, terraces, topiary, glued to pipes, filter equipment,
heaters etc can be built cheap, beautifully, by anybody. Most of your attached plants grow slow and don't need much light so they are ideal
candidates for the darker recesses of your tank and this cuts down on extra trimming and maintenance'.

You can also use driftwood, bamboo or other rocks as barriers. As long as they are heavy enough, the gravel or sand will not be able to move it.

I hope this info is of some use.

 

[joecoral]

i just use my hand and push some of the gravel to the back making it slope