Tips On Decorating This Tank?

[donny7]

I've been mulling over ideas on what to do with this 20 gallon long tank. It's been through various changes (see sig) and everything seemed forced, almost.. contrived. My prized tank is a 30 planted gallon bow front and I found it easier to decorate from the middle of the tank outwards, than just straight across. Refering to the pictures, I was wondering if anybody thinks this would sound good.


First of all, keeping the current scheme, I'll be switching to pool filter sand, as I can't stand the multi-color gravel. I plan on continue the layering of the sheet rock, probably up towards the top of the tank. This cave of sorts is pushed as far back into the tank as it can go, leaving me little front room. I'm doing this because I want a pretty nice cave wall to provide plenty of hiding spots. From there, I'm going to add in a piece of live driftwood under across the front of the tank, probably two. The driftwood pieces are about 4" or so. With what little room I have left, I'm thinking of just dropping a few decorative stones.


Now, I want to plant this tank as well. There will be little room in the substrate due to the volume of the rocks, so after planting the front of the tank as best as I can, how exactly would I go about rooting the plants within the rock formations? I'm not sure what the big white rocks are, a friend gave them to me from his tank, would they root within those?

Also, pertaining to the current fish, it's currently housing 3 jack dempsey cichlids, two are juvenile, one is about 6". I understand the tank capacity and they will all be donated to the LFS due to their size and me not being able to provide a large tank. I rescued them from a friends tank which is so dirty with food, waste, and buildup you cannot see the fish in the water. It was sad

Suggestions/opinions are very welcomed


Current look (yes, the water is dirty, I just rearranged everything and stirred up the gravel. It was then changed, I don't neglect my tank!)

http/img846.imageshack.us/img846/507/0411010431.jpg
http/img17.imageshack.us/img17/856/0411010431a.jpg

How I had it before (the goldfish was a feeder fish my JD never ate. He got.. huge. Donated him to a pond though.)

http/img51.imageshack.us/img51/8637/1011886.jpg


...and he's a picture I got of my JD, just because I though it was awesome.

http/img707.imageshack.us/img707/5162/1011882.jpg

 

[c-dub]

Simply changing the substrate like you say will alter the look of this tank dramatically.

Personally I don't really like background images, I'd probably just go with black (but hey, some people love BG's).

I think once you change the substrate maybe adding a plant or 2 to the middle of the tank, or even a piece of of small goldvine wood.

 

[donny7]

I hate the background, I bought the tank as a setup deal for 50 bucks and I'm too lazy to take it off and put a new one on. But yeah, I believe sand is going to REALLY make this tank shine. Another problem I have is where exactly can I purchase slate rock? I don't know of any nearby rivers, and my LFS sells "Stacking stones" at 16.99 USD for roughly 5 stones

Goldvine wood looks nice! I'm trying to find small enough pieces to lay in front of the tank as to not block off cave entrances.

 

[c-dub]

Yeah as soon as you change the substrate to sand you'll be amazed. Changes a tank so much!
No idea abbout the slate, I'm from Australia, but I think some of my local hardware stores may sell it for setting up ponds etc.

You could always stack up the rocks a little high to one side of the tank, then have a few plants and the goldvine or driftwood in the other half.

 

[donny7]

I was considering the rocks on one side but I cannot figure out what the big, white rocks are, and there size lends to an all but perfect wall formation. I tried the corner formation and it was very awkward looking.

 

[Owen386]

First step would be to take off that ghoddi background and replace with a simple black will look great I didn't think a background would make that much of a difference but ohh boy does it. I believe the black really gives the tank a feel of depth. The sand substrate will also make a huge difference thinking about making the change myself just keep procrastinating.... not sure where you live but around my way I would go to garden center or building center to get the rock cheap

_owen


Lmao posting this while sitting in jury duty

 

[c-dub]

Hmmm I guess it's just a case of moving stuff about, taking a step back and looking at it to see if you like it. Once you get a couple of plants and wood (if that's what you intend to do), you can just shuffle shuffle shuffle until it looks good. You can always take the fish out and put them in a bucket for a while as you do it so they're not freaking out for a while .

 

[joeskandal]

i wonder what drugs the previous owners were taking when they bought that gravel?!?!?

 

[donny7]

@ C Dub - Yeah, I suppose.
@ Owen - Only local store garden store around me is Home Depot, and I worked there, don't remember seeing any good rock!
@ Joe - Yeah, it is.. atrocious, to say the least ! But he had a huge bag of it and it spared me the cost of buying some from the LSF, 16.99 for 15 pounds Can't wait till I can get some sand in there! Can't find pool filter sand, may just go with play sand for now...

 

[joeskandal]

yeah man, i mean we have red gravel in a tank that was given to us.
BRIGHT RED!
you are lucky.
Yeah man, get it done with the sand.
Post some pictures of when its done...

 

[This Old Spouse]

I just put a black background behind my 55g and couldn't believe the difference it made. It really changes the whole look.

I bought a 40lb bag of play sand at Ace Hardware for $4.29 and it looks great in my 15g and 20g. I'm working up to changing out the gravel in my 55g.

 

[c-dub]

I just put a black background behind my 55g and couldn't believe the difference it made. It really changes the whole look.

I bought a 40lb bag of play sand at Ace Hardware for $4.29 and it looks great in my 15g and 20g. I'm working up to changing out the gravel in my 55g.

I didn't think you could use just any sand?

 

[donny7]

@ C-dub

Typically, you can... the majority of silica based sand is generally safe for an aquarium, such as play sand. If it's safe for children, it's safe for fish! Generally speaking though, mediums ranging from pool filter, common sand, as well as play sand, are safe for your aquarium. Often people foolishly believe the only sand you can use is the outrageously overpriced argonite sand sold at some LFS, often going at 20.00$/15 lb, whereas you can get a 50LB bag of play safe for 5 dollars at home depot.

I think I've come to the conclusion of pool filter sand and continuing my rock wall. My only problem is finding slate rock, I haven't a clue where to find it! I'm going try and cover the background with a rock wall, switch the gravel to sand, throw in 2 small pieces of driftwood, and a few plants. I will update in a few weeks when I have the funds! Sorry to all hoping to see a dramatic changeover soon

 

[donny7]

Will this suffice for a wall?

http/www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202508366/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[c-dub]

Will this suffice for a wall?

http/www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202508366/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053