Looking For Suggestions (take A Look Please)

[Torrean]

The pots on the sides are meant for plants (in particular live plants but fake works too). I am hoping to make these as a small business and i would like any suggestions for placement of pots on future ornaments or well anything you can think of. There is a thread in chit chat about this topic but I want this thread to focus more on the plant aspect. I don't know much (anything) about live plants. I remember reading that you could use laterite? and sand as a substrate and your plants would grow well. People with established tanks probably don't want to pull all of it up to do this, so I thought they could use pots with the substrate in them instead. Anything you guys can think of is appreciated.

link to other thread.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=118989

 

[kenneth_kpe]

Looks cool is that a wood look that it has going on there ?

 

[Torrean]

It wasn't planned but several people have told me that it looks like a stump. Thanks for the complement.

 

[onemisterchristian]

Looks good, I'm not sure of the extent of your pottery knowledge, but instead of smoothing the outer pots on the outside, maybe scratch the two pieces to be attached and then put slip in between. That would give it a cleaner look. Also maybe make the form undulate a little. I'd say run with the tree thing though, it's a good idea. It does rather resemble a stump. Also add some undulation to the form, it will make it look even more earthy and natural.

 

[Torrean]

I agree with you about the slip thing. that's how I did it originally but one of the pots fell off after I left the class that I made this one in so my teacher put them back on and smoothed them herself. The undulations are a little tough to do but I will try with my next piece. Each coil has to be on top of the other enough for the one under neath it to support the weight but I will do what I can. I really appreciate the ideas. I've already gotten some REALLY great ones. Thanks guys and girls keep them coming.

 

[Bloo]

Each to their own but I prefer natural wood or slate only
I've never used anything else, nor had the desire to.
But if you know there is a market for handmade pottery ornaments, then that's great (for you!). Just not so sure how well pottery would ship without crumbling......

 

[Arfie]

Personally I agree with Bloozoo2, I prefer more natural looking stuff in my tanks.

However I think that looks OK (a whole lot better than I could do anyway) with it not being smooth I think it could be a great base to attach java moss to, all around the outside, giving it a more "natural" look. Not sure if the plants could get enough nutrients form the small amount of substrate that would be in those little pots on the side, but if they can, they will be great

Good luck with your venture

Arfie

 

[Torrean]

That's more along the lines of what I'm looking for in this thread. I want to focus on the pots on the sides. Will the plants grow from them, can I put one on top of the other or will this prevent light from reaching the lower plants or will a limited amount of waste reach the bottom pot preventing fertilization or are the pots too small for the root systems or will the roots eventually break the pot? I tried to grow apongeton in them and it worked great until my sister's pleco moved out of her ten and into my 55. 2 days later all the plants were either gone or floating around so I moved all the rooted plants to my ten.

I appreciate the criticism Bloozoo2. Shipping is a problem but if packaged properly it is not a big one. Is there anything I can do to make it more appealing to people like you? I'm going to be making pots non stop for at least the next two weeks so I can do a lot of experiminting

 

[Bloo]

Sorry Torrean - to me a pot or anything man made is just not part of a "nature" look and can't see how it would work for me My equipment being obvious is a pain enough to try and hide.

But just as well we all like different things ! what a boring world this place would be if we were all the same.

 

[Torrean]

Thanks. At the moment I am working on concepts for hiding equipment. corner columns that can hide air tubing, lacey columns designed to hide filter intakes, and I'm thinking about ways I can hide a heater but it's much tougher since it needs a lot of water flow around it. I'm also worried about the ornament around the heater being too appealing to fish since i'm not sure whether long exposure to a heater can cause harm to a fish.

 

[Torrean]

bump

new link
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=119301