Inspiration

[Themuleous]

Hey all

As I think is quite obvious from my nano, I have very little artistic flare, never have and probably never will. This leaves me with something of a problem when it comes to scaping my tank. What do I do???

I was just wondering where everyone gets there ideas from? Do people take the 'Justin Law' approach and try to re-create places they have seen? Or do they just make it up as they go along?

Also, is it ok to copy other peoples tanks? I'm very fond of Justins latest work (See below) and was thinking of trying the HC field approach myself, is this boring and I should try to get my own ideas? Obviously it'd be different as no two tanks are the same, but still?

Any thoughts?

Sam

 

[Qays]

Good questions.

I think its ok too copy others ideas and interpret them into your own idea.

 

[Neal]

I think it would be fine, just tell them about it incase they have any issues, but i'm sure they will be pleased to know someone has loved their work so much, they decided to copy. However, the past few weeks these guys from that club in the Far East have b-e-a-uuuu-tiful tanks, and I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to copy, well apart from it being too hard of course!

Neal

 

[craynerd]

No matter what you do, plants will grow differently and different things will happen.

I tell you know, i am using the inspiration of 3 tanks i have identified to create my next aquascape. 1 i am using for a hardscape and the other 2 for plant types and relative positions.

Like someone said to me a while ago, most tanks are copies of each other, its just how well you hide it.

 

[AkiraBlue]

go to Aquatic Plant Central. it is one of the most amazing sites i have ever been to. so inspiring, i am on there almost every day. they are very knowledgeable. they also have a bunch of links to other sites that specialize solely in planted tanks. check it out, it will blow you right out of the water . oh my god, i am now such a fish dork i am even using bad aquatic puns! *sigh*

 

[Themuleous]

Thanks people, interesting to heard what you all think. I will do a version of Justins tank, but with a rock as the main focal point, so it'll be the same but very different.

Chris is right, plants are never the same twice so I'm sure even if you copied the plant mix it'd look different.

Oh and yes the tanks that those people are posting are (i think this work gets over used but it fits very well on this occasion) stunning, truly works of art.

Sam

 

[Discomafia]

The AGA annual contest. I could spend hours on that website (and I have), drooling over many of the tanks there from the various years... I also am a big fan of Takashi Amano and Oliver Knott, and have spent many a boring night going through websites dedicated to their work and technique. Aquatic Plant Central has also been a great help, and the vast number of knowledgeable people on that forum serve to inspire me as well...

 

[oldwhitewood]

Amano and ADA's style are the only ones that do it for me. I try and copy his tanks if I'm honest I have very few original ideas myself.

 

[Themuleous]

Well Im glad Im not the only one then!

 

[oldwhitewood]

Well Im glad Im not the only one then!

 

[oldwhitewood]

I have linked some images from the ADA thailand site which really inspire me at the moment....

This last one above is what I am trying to base my current tank off...

 

[craynerd]

My inspiration is coming mainly from the CAU, i feel they create more interesting artistic tanks. I think i find very natural style tanks like those creepy for a living room.
My point is, there are lots of styles of tanks and i suppose you must choose those that inspire you personally.

OldWhite, you are doing a geat job with your tank. It is obvious without you posting those pictures above, which stlye you are trying to achieve.

 

[oldwhitewood]

OldWhite, you are doing a geat job with your tank. It is obvious without you posting those pictures above, which stlye you are trying to achieve.

The style is wabi-sabi zen mizube style fused with igwami and some dutch garden freestyle thrown in.

 

[robjack]

The style is wabi-sabi zen mizube style fused with igwami and some dutch garden freestyle thrown in.

I could have sworn there was an aspect of Fauna Dub about it, no?

 

[oldwhitewood]

The style is wabi-sabi zen mizube style fused with igwami and some dutch garden freestyle thrown in.

I could have sworn there was an aspect of Fauna Dub about it, no?

Word G, nuff respect to the Fuana stylee.