Dave`s Pre Journal Journal

[Dave Spencer]

Which section of argos was it in. Im looking online for it. Is it a tank stand or some other kind of ferniture??

Argos catalogue: Page 634, item 3, £24.99.

I am off to play with my rocks! OOER MISSUS!

Dave.

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Cheers Dave,
are my comments of any use?

 

[Dave Spencer]

Cheers Dave,
are my comments of any use?

Very useful Moody.

So far I have just been a plant grower with zero hardscaping experience. I have been hanging my nose over those Aqua Journals on AE, so I reckon I shall start investing in them. I seem to order other stuff off there often enough (got some of the Cal Aqua glass today).

I`ll be cutting a couple of holes in the side of the cabinet tomorrow for the filter hoses.

Cheers, Dave.

 

[kpintheshed]

i cant wait to c it done and the fish

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Cheers Dave,
are my comments of any use?

Very useful Moody.

So far I have just been a plant grower with zero hardscaping experience. I have been hanging my nose over those Aqua Journals on AE, so I reckon I shall start investing in them. I seem to order other stuff off there often enough (got some of the Cal Aqua glass today).

I`ll be cutting a couple of holes in the side of the cabinet tomorrow for the filter hoses.

Cheers, Dave.

Very nice mate.

Take your time with this one and I think you will have a real jaw dropper, go for it like a real pro and dont settle for anything less, its the only way to aproach such a project if you ask me!

R,
Graeme.

 

[George Farmer]

Looking good so far Dave.

I'm no rock placement guru but I think that your current selection may be drowned out a little with anything more than tiny layer of planting. Your aquarium dimensions allow for a lot more height and I think you need a master stone too.

The hardscape is the backbone of a scape like this, so nailing it now is better than messing about once planted IMHO.

I look forward to seeing this progress.

 

[Dave Spencer]

I'm no rock placement guru but I think that your current selection may be drowned out a little with anything more than tiny layer of planting. Your aquarium dimensions allow for a lot more height and I think you need a master stone too.

I have some bigger rocks and, just as importantly, next week I will have more time for "scaping".

The hardscape is the backbone of a scape like this, so nailing it now is better than messing about once planted IMHO.

My original intentions were to put my 120l on hold for a short while, and when the 60l was ready, transfer the Hygro. in to the 60l (algae reasons) and get on with sorting out the 120l. I think you are right about the hardscape being make or break, and I was also feeling pressured in to rushing the 60l along a bit because the 120l is getting a little out of hand, so I have had a change of plan.

I`ll continue trying to nail the 60l hardscape, which is going to require a lot of advice because I have no reference material or experience in this aspect of aquatics. I definitely will not rush the 60l along to accomodate the 120l.

The 120l will take priority next week, which will unfortunately involve having to throw my Hygrophilia Polysperma.

Cheers, Dave.

 

[afroturf]

I agree with george that the scape needs larger rock, I have some rocks of a similar size to yours placed around some larger rocks and the ones that are layed flat are somewhat lost in the HC and other foreground plants.

Are thelarger rocks of a similar colour to the rocks shown? They are a lovely colour.

Looking forward to seeing the new rocks.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Hi Afroturf,

First off, how is your tank? I bumped your journal up, but I don`t think you saw it.

Yes, the larger rocks are exactly the same type.

Dave.

 

[afroturf]

Hi Dave the tanks going ok still having a little problem with hair/thread algae I managed to do some severe damage to my shrimp population and my blyxa through the use of excel, but i've been surprised how well the downoi has coped.

I've also added some fish, 5 Scarlet Badis and a shole of Ember tetras and some Ottos. I also brought 5 fish labled as 'Blue line Rasboras' today but these are for amother tank i have in mind for the future.

The co2 systems you mentioned from germany via ebay intrest me i'm thinking of buying one as my hydor system is useless, have you brought them before or are you thinking of getting one for this tank? Just wanted an opinion on them.

Cheers.

 

[Dave Spencer]

OK, so now Graeme has got me thinking, as have George and Afroturf. I don`t want to lose the hardscape in amongst the plants, so things have a got a little more dramatic rockwise:

As suggested, I have a Mother Stone which I have attempted to place in accordance with the Golden Ratio (does the base of the rock sit in the position as determined by the ratio, or does its peak sit over this position?) This rock has two lesser rocks to form her triad. Opposite is another, lesser rock, bowing to the Mother and with two more rocks to form her own triad. To the left foreground is, once again, another triad. This follows the principles of the other two, but is a further degree smaller.

Here is a pic to show the texture of the rocks against a dark background (a little overexposed):

These are early days for an OIK! from a Luton council estate to get in to Japanese Spiritualism, but I might get there one day. I have some Aqua Journals on their way right now, hopefully to give me some ideas.

Anyway, George, Graeme, Sam, everyone...... Lots of constructive criticism please.

Cheers, Dave.

 

[afroturf]

These rocks are a great improvement, I don't really know all that much about the golden ratio but I think the right and centre group look good but look a little to close together they could do with more of a gap between them, I dont really think the three on the far left work quite right either, you should possibly remove one just leaving two to the left of the centre group and move the centre group about a inch or so further away from the group on the right.

Overall I think its looking very good, the mother group and the three on the right look fine just increase the gap. And spend some time positioning two rock to the left of he mother group.

Thats my thoughts anyway, Its looking good Dave.

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Much much better Dave!!!!

A few things, like arf has mentioned.

The main presentation of rocks with the mother/anchor rock. I would say move all 3 up the slope about 3 inches and then seperate them slightly, and the front right stone rotate slightly towards the front glass, once you have done that, fill in between the rocks with Aqua soil. This will help make them look the have be exposed due to erosion and not placed on top of the substrate.

The collection to the left........ Move top stone right about 2 inches and then the right stone, move diagonely down and right about 2-3 inches. Again set them in the soil or fill around with soil.

The right composition, to me, is spot on!!!!!

The point of the anchor rock should fit in with the golden rule. Try and make them look as natural as possible, as if they have ben there long before you have.
With the triads, the key is to have them but to have them without looking like you have them> so any rock will fit onto a triad with any other rock close by, and it can be a very distorted triad or a very symetrical. But Symetrical tends to look un-natural.

Your doing good mate, very good!

 

[Dave Spencer]

Here is my last tinkering, pretty much along the lines suggested by Afro and Moody:

I wish I had a bit more width with this tank! I am considering going another stage higher with the rocks. Any thoughts?

Afro, I have just ordered my CO2 set up from Aquamas and will give my thoughts on it on this thread, when it arrives. I know of a couple of people who are happy with the reactor.

Cheers, Dave.

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Dave......... It look great mate, a vast improvement on the last arrangement IMO
The only thing I would say is the rock thats not the furthest to the left but one in, is in the same position as the third rock from the left. If it was me i would rotate the rock clock wise to 11 o'clock.

Look great, no need to add any more stones IMO!