My Fish Tank

[Tetraking]

Hello, in imo i would change the gravel if you want a natural look, go for sand invest in a nice piece of wood and buy as many plants (real) as you can fit in, try to make sure all your plant is true aquatic and they should grow nicely, mix the sand with eco complete substrate if u can (layers) allthough it can be pricey. good luck

here is mine at the moment

 

[bricko]

Hi Bambii, I have to agree with most ppl here and say you need to lose the techno gravel if you are wanting to achieve a more natural look. Depending on what you wnat to do with the tank will help determine the type of substrate you get i.e. what you intend to stock in there, whether you want real plants or not etc.

I personally like the 3D backgrounds but you can get some very good 'wallpaper' background which also can look fab.

I think it would look really good as is (minus the tacky gravel).

I really like pieces of bogwood in planted tanks to add to that natural look, though I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination

Here are a few links to my 2 tanks if that helps, hope you like them.

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Members-...0/My-260l-Tank/

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Members-...375/Trigon-190/

Good luck in whatever you decide. I'm sure it will turn out great.

Regards,

Mark

 

[sswm]

that looks like the same heater that i've had before, if so its not a submersible heater, it has a Max Water Line on it and by the looks of it yours is below that line, might want to check on that

but thats a good start, it takes a while to get your tank to look like peoples on here so keep up the good work and it will get there

 

[shelaghfishface]

i think if you removed the gravel and replaced with sand/ light or dark (black)colored gravel, and bunched the plants up and removed, the plastic from it, added some simple easy care plants, you would be well on your way to a stunning tank

 

[Bambi211]

Well.....I know your all gonna think I didnt listen to your advice, but i did !!

I just couldnt get rid of the gravel i loved it too much!!! i just got some extra black gravel to dim the colours a bit... I had a crisis with my fish a couple of weeks ago...Thats why theres like no fish Anymore...

Im adding plant at the weekend

Let me know what you think.

P.s...I go on holiday to the seaside nearlly every weekend, and i picked them shells while i was walking along the sand, It may look tacky but its nice to look at them and imagine being away

xxx

 

[Million]

Be a bit careful adding stuff you found on the beach as it can introduce disease - at least boil them for an hour before adding them to the tank to sterilise them. Also, it looks from your first pics that you had java fern with the rhizome (the rooty bit) buried in the gravel - just to let you know that the rhizome can rot if buried, and the plant will do better if it's attached to a rock or some wood, which will also help your natural look

 

[NottsFishy]

That looks much better i like the gravel the way it is now and them new ornaments and rocks really suit it cant wait to see what plants you get.

Good work

 

[aaronnorth]

i think a carpet of echindorous tennelus or marsilea woud go well with the scape.

 

[Bambi211]

To some of your information... Whats a java fern???

I got rid of all the plants, with the rooty bit too?? Will you say that its always best to chuck plants away if they start to die, is it harmful for the fish if they start to rot?

I did wash all the shells and everything and left them in hot water for days and days, and put them in salt water too my dad said that would clean them too? So they should be ok for my fish now shouldnt they? i really hope so :l

and also whats a...

carpet of echindorous tennelus or marsilea???

Sorry im new to all this

Thanks a lot everyone, Really good advice and tips

Really appreciate it.

Ill keep you all filled in with pictures and everything...

Thanks again.

xxxxx

 

[aaronnorth]

To some of your information... Whats a java fern

like in my avatar pic, aka - microsorum pteropus

I got rid of all the plants, with the rooty bit too?? Will you say that its always best to chuck plants away if they start to die, is it harmful for the fish if they start to rot?

when the rot, the do release ammonia, so you should cut off the leaves, not throw the plant away

most plants are grown emerged form, so give them a few months to adapt to submerged life, they will then live life as normal.

carpet of echindorous tennelus or marsilea???

carpet = it will spread automatically across the whiole of the substrate and produce a 'carpet'

Echindorous Tenellus
Marsilea Quadrifolia

 

[PRW1988]

thread started in july guys... Whats with people digging up old threads lol

 

[Ace Of Spades]

thread started in july guys... Whats with people digging up old threads lol

The OP digged it up himself numbnuts, read it before just looking at dates

 

[aaronnorth]

thread started in july guys... Whats with people digging up old threads lol

The OP digged it up himself numbnuts, read it before just looking at dates

lol

even still, if someone else dug it up, the OP is still replying with questions!!

 

[cheesy feet]

Get rid of the gravel if you don't either way you will fail.
I would suggest reading the pinned topics in the planted tank section of the site.

 

[Bambi211]

Hey, thanks to all that is giving good advice and feedback.

To the random person asking why where digging up old threads, this isnt an old thread, its a thread that im going to keep adding to. To show people the improvements etc. So if u are interested, like the above person said read it first.

Anyway moving on from that..

I added plants to the tank today, I think they look pretty good...Give me your advice though???

Also....Im starting to slowy add new fish. I bought two clown loaches, id been looking for a good pair all day, All the others id seen in the fish shops had white spot? are they more common to this or what? But these seemed pretty healthy and happy. When i first put them in they seemed so stressed, now there so lively they make me dizzy haha!! Not the best of pics its hard to catch a picture of them

Tell me what you think. Thanks a lot everyone.

xxx