Scaping Long Tanks.

[Jen]

I currently have a 55 gal... 48" x 13" x 18" tank. I am currently at a loss for how to fully use the dimensions of the tank without getting into a jungle type. I have two fairly large pieces of wood seen here. I will be switching to sand in the next week or so, so I want to figure out some options before then.

Does anyone have a similarly shaped tank and can give me some options?

 

[Biulu]

What about making an island scape with 2 patches on each side of the tank? And a kind of 'path' going diagonally from left to right?

 

[Jen]

Found a few I like...

love this center cluster, but i don't think I could get enough hiding places for all my hiders

ps... go George!

and this

 

[Biulu]

The last one is basically the idea I meant.

 

[SuperColey1]

you don't need 'hiding places' in a planted tank. The fish will hide IN the plants. if they feel the need.

Hiding places are more for a more sparse no planted setup and an overplayed belief in that.

Much like the statements that say Rams aren't happy in a highlight, light coloured substrate tank. Not true at all.

Go for the design/style you like and the fish will find their own favourite places

AC

 

[dayzofspeed]

that 3rd set up is stunning ........ wow

 

[moochy13]

48x12x15. not many plants, but those have just been thrown in while i was getting happy with the fish set-up.

i originally wanted something tall and bushy at each end, and along the back something that grew to the surface and spread a bit across it, with some grassy bits at the front in the sand. i recently got a bit of wood with xmas moss on it which when i get round to it i think i will bury the wood in the sand so the mass is more like a carpet on the floor.

 

[Biulu]

If you want something tall, growing to the surface, you could try vallisneria, balansae or crinum. That will give your tank also some more 3D. I like the current hardscape. Just wait until the swords start growing.

 

[Jen]

I have always like the style in last one there, but I don't know how well I could pull it off without co2. I could go with a bunch of ferns and mosses, with then I know I have too much light. I was thinking though that I could use my more upright piece with the long branch to cover in moss and maybe get some pieces of it to hang down, but I don't think things exactly hang in a tank I would like to continue building my crypt carpet though, I am very happy with how they are growing.

By hiders I mean my kribs. You are right SuperColey, my current tank is pretty sparse, so the caves I have given my garas and kribs are used regularly. I would like my kribs to spawn if they can, so I do figure that I need to have a cave for them for that, but maybe I'm wrong there?

It's not that I want stuff growing to the surface... I have that now with my val and hygro. I just want to be able to use the height to my advantage. Right now it seems like all my focal points are in the bottom third of the tank.

 

[aaronnorth]

I have always like the style in last one there, but I don't know how well I could pull it off without co2. I could go with a bunch of ferns and mosses, with then I know I have too much light. I was thinking though that I could use my more upright piece with the long branch to cover in moss and maybe get some pieces of it to hang down, but I don't think things exactly hang in a tank I would like to continue building my crypt carpet though, I am very happy with how they are growing.

By hiders I mean my kribs. You are right SuperColey, my current tank is pretty sparse, so the caves I have given my garas and kribs are used regularly. I would like my kribs to spawn if they can, so I do figure that I need to have a cave for them for that, but maybe I'm wrong there?

It's not that I want stuff growing to the surface... I have that now with my val and hygro. I just want to be able to use the height to my advantage. Right now it seems like all my focal points are in the bottom third of the tank.

It shouldn't be too hard.
They have used mosses & anubias, and it looks like blyxa - this could be replaced with Microsorum Pteropus 'narrow' or 'needle'.
The stems are hygrophillia on the right,
the back left stems are the only two that would need replacing, and that shouldn't be too difficult as there are plenty of stems you can use

WHat lighting levels do you have?

Thanks, Aaron

 

[Jen]

It shouldn't be too hard.
They have used mosses & anubias, and it looks like blyxa - this could be replaced with Microsorum Pteropus 'narrow' or 'needle'.
The stems are hygrophillia on the right,
the back left stems are the only two that would need replacing, and that shouldn't be too difficult as there are plenty of stems you can use

WHat lighting levels do you have?

Thanks, Aaron

I have 110w HO T5

 

[aaronnorth]

Whatever you do, you will need CO2 with that amount of light.

Thanks, Aaron