How Would You Arrange This Aquascape?

[nLinked]

I have a 4x2x2.5 ft tank with 2 inch sand, a large heavy bodwood, a branchy wood of some sort, and a rock feature. I am terrible at aquascaping. I will be growing plants later. I have tropical fish, mostly neon tetra and other tetra.

I've attached a picture of a very basic thoughtless aquascape - apologies for the cloudyness. How would you do it if that is all you had?

I like to see fish exploring their environment, weaving in and out actively. But I need to create a nice structure before I start planting.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I would maybe try to arrange the two bits of wood together. Either in the middle or to one side. I'm not too wild on the rock, sorry, it just looks a little "marine" to me

 

[ShinySideUp]

The one on the left looks like a thin, walking monster [no Ma, I ain't taken no drugs]

I agree with AA, dump the rock, doesn't fit.

 

[nLinked]

I would maybe try to arrange the two bits of wood together. Either in the middle or to one side. I'm not too wild on the rock, sorry, it just looks a little "marine" to me

The one on the left looks like a thin, walking monster [no Ma, I ain't taken no drugs]

I agree with AA, dump the rock, doesn't fit.

You're both right, the marine-look rock doesn't fit well with a tropical setup, so it be gone!

I've just read about the "golden rule" and I like the idea so I'm thinking of laying that big wood down on its side on the left, and possibly break up the "thin monster" wood into smaller chunks to place in the background on the other side. I'll post more pics later!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Looking forward to it!

 

[nLinked]

Looking forward to it!

Well I've been doing some planning and read-up on the golden ratio and come up with this:

And a quick photo edit as if there was java moss and fern growing around it. The black line being the golden triangle.

Inspiration from this image I found on Google:

 

[delta]

Have you tried laying down the heavier piece of wood and turning the rooty wood the other way up? curious to see how that would look.

 

[Llegmore]

The thin piece of wood looks like a spider

It's much better without the rock. I like the spidery one that way up - I can see the fish enjoying going through the 'roots'

 

[nLinked]

Have you tried laying down the heavier piece of wood and turning the rooty wood the other way up? curious to see how that would look.

Well I tried placing the wood upside down and to my surprise it actually looked upside down again! Sorry I didn't take a pic

My tank is repaired now, I hope it doesn't leak, will leave it a few days and see how it goes. Another pic below, water still clearing up. Once I have plants growing around it with longer ones to the back it should start looking better. I also siliconed the background inside the tank. No more wetting the background to make it brighter!

It's not the greatest of aquascapes or furnishings but I had already spent money on it and will just make use of what I have for now. Hoping plant growth will improve things.

 

[nLinked]

Well here is the finished scape, plants next! There are 47 tetra-sized fish in total, plenty of space and they're all schooling around the WHOLE tank in all levels - really enjoying their new space! I added the rock back into the corner for now, I will hide the heater and intake behind it.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Woah! That's a big plec, what kind is it?

 

[nLinked]

Woah! That's a big plec, what kind is it?

It's actually curled up in the pic, much bigger when it swims around. It's about 35 cm. It's a Gibbiceps. Had it over 7 years since it was 3 cm.

 

[nLinked]

Well, I wanted to say another thanks for all the opinions above to help with my first aquascape. Now I'm moving onto the plants. I want very low maintenance, so little to no trimming.

If you had the tank as pictured immediately above, which easy plants would you add and where? I was thinking to start with Java Moss on the spider-like wood.

 

[ShinySideUp]

Well, I wanted to say another thanks for all the opinions above to help with my first aquascape. Now I'm moving onto the plants. I want very low maintenance, so little to no trimming.

If you had the tank as pictured immediately above, which easy plants would you add and where? I was thinking to start with Java Moss on the spider-like wood.

Amazon Sword plants grow pretty much anywhere, are easy to maintain and are largely impervious to things that eat plants.