Reaquascaping the 20g

[MXPX4318]

ok well this is how it started out:

not satisfied at all with the looks of things (very messy disorganized looking, not what I'm going for). I got a new radican sword, 2 tiger lotus plants, TONS more dwarf sag, and some rotala (not yet put in) and so far have gotten rid of the hornwort and water wisteria and here's the progress so far:

the plan is to remove the water sprite (as much as I love it) and add TONS more hygrophilia all around the left side, as well as incorporate in some rotala somewhere in the mix). Pictures will come as progress continues and any opinions comments suggestions are more then welcome I'm open ears on things like that

Thanks,
Phillip

 

[tear-scar]

I think you would benefit from getting a better substrate made for planted aquaria. Plain sand does nothing to help plant growth and can smother rooots because of its small grain size. Eco complete or florite would be much better.

With two similarly sized and positioned pieces of driftwood, the eye can find no rest. The mid ground is the key to the strength of the design. The harscape there dictates the lay out, and the mid-sized plants grown there create the support of the other plants.

 

[MXPX4318]

tear scar:

I've got laterite in a box right now, I had a krib spawn and was waiting for them to get out before I did any major renovation to tank, but I was going to mix laterite with sand, think this would work ok? This sand is also pool filter sand so much more corse then normal play sand (more space to move). So are you saying I should re-think my hardscape, like remove a piece and move the other) or am I on the right track with the swords, and tiger lotus in the middle, also think I may add some hair grass around the rocks up front.

I think I messed up the first time with having to many different types of plants, so trying to get down to a few (swords, dwarf sag, hygro, rotala, tiger lotus, hairgrass, one banana plant, java fern (thinking of getting rid of java moss but I'm afriaid it may make the wood apear very bare and hard and sharp without it on top and down the back).


Phillip

 

[tear-scar]

I understand about the krib. good luck!

Pool sand is ok.

I'm not sure what laterite mixed with sand would look like, but it's probably not a bad idea.

The rocks might benefit from a different lay out, and I think the two pieces of wood could be combined to be part of the same element (ie arranging them close together) or one piece could be removed.

Swords will probably outgrow that tank someday . . . they outgrow 100g's eventually . . .

 

[MXPX4318]

lol well swords are VERY tiny right now and yes I know will probably outgrow tank but they're shooting off runners like no bodys buisness and so those will go into a 10g with laterite/gravel mix and dual 15watt flourcent bulbs over it for them to grow out (some will be sold I'm sure) but someday one of the runner plants will replace the sword when it gets too big. I was thinking of combining the two piece but I don't think they'd look well combined close b/c of the shape of them doesn't really flow, so the fake piece (piece with java fern on it) will probably go into my 20 long once I set it up (or my 10g where I'll be growing out my swords and other discareded plants). do you think that the dwarf sag out in the open would be a bit much and should be left in the background with something like hair grass covering leaving a nice open swimming area (kinda takashi amano style lol) I dunno just some thoughts but I'll play with it and see how it all turns out.

thanks again tear for your opinions and help with some structure as that's what this tank needs,

Phillip

 

[Wolfdog]

I like it!