Looking To Do A Fairly Major Rescape Advice Needed

[FishyWishie]

Threw this together at the start mostly from plants I was given and im growing to loathe it

Few changes since the pic was taken

1) The 2 pots of pygmy chain sword were removed depotted and placed in another tank
2) The 2 plants to the left of the Diformis were removed and binned.
3) Top right corner at the back is a amazon sword


My main issues with the plants (I can't even call it a scape its not lol)

1 )The java fern mother plant i feel has been sidelined to the back left which is a shame as its a beauty
2) The amazon sword in the middle is to imposing and is blocking out the plant beside it (which I hate and want to remove anyway
3) Hygrophila diformis - How i hate thee you grow like a weed take up to much room and 95% of the time look an untidy mess
4) The bottom left has some small crypts (cant remember there name but they stay v small) and some plant I got at a LFS once looks a bit sparse.

I think id like to add more Dwarf Sag so it runs along from its current position to the tail of the uboat. Other than that im open to any and all opinions on how to rescape I do like the look of crypts but otherwise Im really feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of redoing it although I know its what I must do to be happy.

So heres my challenge help me plan my rescape !

 

[RustedKnight]

I think you should grab a piece of paper and a pen, and sketch yourself out some kind of rough plan.

So you have an idea of what you want the tank to look like.

 

[michmash/eddie]

Not to take away from your post but everything you have said has baffled me, i am only just starting out on a planted tank for my first time.

Your tank truely looks amazing! and i wish/hope that my tank will 1 day look as good. I am sure that whatever you do it will look good.

Good luck and please keep updating.

 

[FishyWishie]

Biggest prob is my poor plant knowledge

I'm looking at crpyts atm but its working out how many and how many types etc that leaves me bamboozled. I'm drawing pics of layouts as we speak though lol

 

[FishyWishie]

Debating splashing out on a complete scape pack atm

 

[alex.wardle]

I no its a bit of a cop out but if u are really struggling this may help
http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-plants-live/aquarium-plant-collections/all-products.html
each plant pack has a detailed drawing of how to ruffly construct the scape. may give you some ideas of may just be a waste of time.


how big is the tank btw

 

[FishyWishie]

Thanks alex

Im thinking along these lines tank is 240 L

 

[dayzofspeed]

aren't we all lol, but i bet thats done using all the hi tech stuff pressurised co2 etc.

 

[alex.wardle]

Thanks alex

Im thinking along these lines tank is 240 L

Its quite alright
That does look bloody beautiful. I dont see any reason y if you put in the time and effort you could do this your self. Good look, keep us posted.

 

[Biulu]

I suggest you decide first which plants to keep. E.g. that hydrocotyle is very nice. Then you need to decide what your focus should be and work with the thirds rule. You say yourself that the java fern is gorgeous, so you could build your scape around that. Currently you have something like an island scape, not bad at all, but if you don't want to have too much maintenance, stay clear of the stem plants. What about the balansea? It grows tall for the back and has a nice shape.

The scape you are showing also needs regular pruning. Maybe your 'tuff' of red would come easier from a tiger lotus?

 

[aaronnorth]

aren't we all lol, but i bet thats done using all the hi tech stuff pressurised co2 etc.

probably, but the OP has mastered the first hurdle which is growing plants and no algae. This is where everyone should start off, not trying to copy the amazing tanks you see straight away. The only limit now is their experience and creativity.

Create a scape and keep in mind the 'golden ratio' (Have a focal point 1/3rd away from one of the edges) although this rule can be broken, but it does come with experience. You need to create a scape where you look instantly at a certain feature, and then slowly move around looking at the finer deatil. My eyes just wander around your tank atm, I don't know where to look.

You need a background, midground, foreground with a smooth transition between each one - Also the different layouts, such as Triangle, X, V, etc and styles like jungle, iwagumi, dutch etc.
You need to decide on these before you start positioning plants, and remember how they will grow and fill out, and the size os the leaves & textures.

It's surprising how much goes into creating an aquascape!!

http/www.aquatic-eden.com/2007/10/aquascape-analysis-8-j-reeces-iwagumi.html
http/www.aquatic-eden.com/2007/05/aquascape-analysis-7-sergio-cs-ada-120p.html
http/www.aquatic-eden.com/2007/02/aquascape-analysis-6-gallery-22-iwagumi.html

Don't be afraid to move things around if you don't like it either.

The problems I see with your tank atm:
No focal point
Amazon sword smack bang in the middle - consider the golden ratio.
Hydroctyle is too close to the glass.


Thanks, Aaron

 

[FishyWishie]

Many thanks for all your comments esp Aaron

The java fern funnily enough was moved few days back to the rear right corner and the java Fern motherplant moved to off center in the middle range, the Hydroctyle is indeed to close to the glass and tbh is only there because I hate the stupid uboat lol It is with this in mind I've made some drastic decisions

1) The U-boat is going on ebay I hate the thing its only contibution to my tank is/was making it look less empty during my fishless cycle I've spent my time since planting stuff in front of it to hide it lol

2) Im buying THIS to replace it and hoping to start moss growing all over it (I'd love flame moss but I need to research moss types more)

3) As my plant knowledge Isnt great im considering something likeTHIS Ive been reading up on v shapes etc and it left me feeling baffled and out my depth

Heres the Java Fern from before I attached it to bogwood and put it in the tank.

And heres the new piece of bogwood I want to make the main focal point its about 26cm wide (at the thick end) and about 34cm long I do fancy having that as the focal point on the left in a golden ratio type position and making the Java Fern Mother plant a secondary focal point to the right side of centre.

 

[FishyWishie]

Think im going to give flame moss a try for the bogwood and im getting more certain I want a jungle type scape as it fits more with my 'view' of what a nice tank looks like.

The U-boat is history lol

 

[ian]

I'm glad the U boat has gone!

As Aaron say's above, you can grow plants, this is where many trip up. Some people go in all guns blazing and spend massive amounts on C02, plants and fert, and really don't have a clue on how plants actually work. Its always good t have a tank/tanks to aspire to.

When attaching moss, i suggest rather than tying it to the wood, use a very small splodge of superglue. Its quite laborious glueing every strand to the wood, but the effect IMO will be better in the end. Give it time to grow and you will get good results with flame moss.

have a quick read of this...

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/328059-basics-in-aquascaping/

 

[FishyWishie]

My big conundrum at the mo is over wood do I use the piece 2 posts up or this