Any Advice?

Noahs ark6 · Jan 1, 2012

Hi.

I just finished setting up my tank and would appreciate advise on how to make it look better (bear in mind, the photo doesn't do it justice), as this is my first "proper" time at aquascaping (so please don't laugh :shout:

)

Plants:
aquarium wisteria
Java moss
Not sure about the last one

Akasha72 · Jan 1, 2012

Looks very nice (I'm about to have a go at some serious aqua scaping myself so I wouldn't dare laugh!) my only suggestion would be something at the front of the tank - looks a little bare. Maybe you like it like that though.

At the end of the day you're the one looking at it everyday so it needs to be pleasing to your eye

soybean · Jan 1, 2012

Is that one solid bit of wood, or two propped together?

Noahs ark6 · Jan 1, 2012

soybean said:
Is that one solid bit of wood, or two propped together?

Thats two peices that conveniently slotted together quite nicely :good:

Akasha72 said:
Looks very nice (I'm about to have a go at some serious aqua scaping myself so I wouldn't dare laugh!) my only suggestion would be something at the front of the tank - looks a little bare. Maybe you like it like that though.

At the end of the day you're the one looking at it everyday so it needs to be pleasing to your eye

Thanks for the advice. I thought that it was a bit bare and was thinking of getting some dwarf hairgrass?

BigbruiserAl · Jan 1, 2012

Looks like a nice set up to be honest, if i was to tinker i would move the wood as far back to the right as possible and put that bunch of plants on the right growing through the wood(looks like a nice big hole in there)

Noahs ark6 · Jan 1, 2012

BigbruiserAl said:
Looks like a nice set up to be honest, if i was to tinker i would move the wood as far back to the right as possible and put that bunch of plants on the right growing through the wood(looks like a nice big hole in there)

Thanks for the advice, i will have a little tinker and see how that looks :good:

soybean · Jan 1, 2012

I would separate the wood myself but I see how you like them together. They're a bit in-your-face with them being in the middle of the tank. Try moving them off centre and break up their edges with the plants a bit.

Noahs ark6 · Jan 1, 2012

soybean said:
I would separate the wood myself but I see how you like them together. They're a bit in-your-face with them being in the middle of the tank. Try moving them off centre and break up their edges with the plants a bit.

Thanks. I will try all of these and see which one looks the best. Thanks everyone :good:

Davo86 · Jan 1, 2012

As already said (in not so many words) you are best avoiding anything that looks to symmetrical, I like the wood how you have it but would move it off centre to one side and then maybe add some smaller plants or even a few small contrasting rocks, positioned to the front to the wood and in the extra space left by repositioning the wood

Baccus · Jan 1, 2012

Two easy tricks to remember when landscaping and aquascaping (even painting) odd numbers are almost always best (unless its a formal design where everything is being mirrored) and work out where you want the eye to be drawn to. Those huge pieces of timber in the middle just draws the eye to the dead centre of the tank. I would maybe move the timber towards the back and to the right, and then balance the "picture" with some tall plants at the rear on the opposite side to the wood and then taper towards the wood with some steadily lower growing plants. You could even use some crypts scattered in the foreground to break up the bare expanse. But that's just one opinion and you are the one who has to like your layout.
Have fun working out your design and later on don't be afraid to re-arrange things if yor still not happy with the look. Plus I think re-arranging a tank gets the inhabitants thinking, it's a bit like animal enrichment for fish.