symmetry

[bigmick474]

does symmetry work in a planted tank?
I want to set up a planter aqurium and have a plan what looks great in my head but its symmetrical and i'm not sure if this will work.
i will be glad of all oppinions.
Thanks

 

[Aj86]

most people dont do it from what ive seen but i think it would look good... but keep in mind the plants wont grow the same way on the other side unless you trim to look the same...

 

[Tempestuousfury]

It's not really about it looking good, it is more about it not looking natural.

And if you start getting runners, it wil get harder to keep that symmetry. (unless this is not the method in which your plants reproduce).

 

[rdd1952]

The only symmetry I have to my 75 gallon is that I have a piece of driftwood in the center and a rock/slate cave in the corner of each end. The plants have no rhyme or reason the where they are.

 

[IovaykInD]

I agree with Tempestuousfury. What we try to do is go for a natural look, not symmetry. Although it would look pretty cool if you have live plants, and the tank was symmetrical.

Isaac

 

[Bloo]

If you're set on symmetry in your tank, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it - prune and plant exactly the way you like it. The fish really couldn't care any less, but if that's something you'd like to achieve (and have lots of time!) then great.
What's pleasing to my eye, might not be pleasing to someone else’s. Some people have plastic plants / some have real. Some have drift wood / some have neon objects and skulls blowing bubbles. At the end of the day, whatever you have time for and as long as your fish are happy and they have great water conditions and their nutritional & environmental needs are met, that's all that really matters.

 

[George Farmer]

Symmetry is often never used in aquascaping a main focal point as it does not look natural. If you place a large rock or log directly in the center of a tank it would look out of place (to most people) - if you place it slightly off centre then it would look better. There is an actual mathematical understanding of this called the "golden ratio or section" and is 1:1.618 (or roughly two thirds). To artistic people this placement becomes natural, to others (like myself) one has to follow the rules. Try this link for a better understanding (see number 6 in particular).

http/www.freshwateraquariumplants.com/aq...scaping101.html

However, if you are happy with symmetry then use it, it's your call after all and if you like the look then fair enough.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

great link there!!!!!1

 

[Bloo]

oooo yeah great link thanks gf225 !

 

[houndour]

what a fantastic link...and perfect timing I nearly did a big no no and I was going to get more bogwood...therefore destroying the 1 focal point theme. I'm going triangular Can't wait to get my hands wet tomorrow!

As for symmetry, it's all personal preference and symetry would look unnatural....let us know what you decide.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

i wish i had know that sooner my tnak does look a little funny, and its in a recangler shape some prnign and a ouch of re design neeed i think

 

[ecto1]

Keep in mind that what you see in your head will probably be a lot different from how your tank actually looks. It's hard to recreate what you see in your mind.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

if i can get my ricca growing wll i am oign to copy that middel one in my smaller tank and but some tiger barbs in there,!!!

 

[rdd1952]

Great site. I wish I had seen it before I set up my 75 gallon. I've done a few of the no-nos, however as Bloozoo2 said earlier, the fish couldn't care less as long as they have swimming room and good water. If it looks good to you and gives the fish ample room then that's all that really matters. Most of us aren't artists and are just looking at the general beauty of the scene.

 

[Nospherith]

It depends on what kind of symmetry you're talking about really. If you're planting in rows like a cornfield then maybe you should consider another hobby, but if there's some symmetry like 2 or 3 different elements with similar spatial relations then that's just another way of designing a tank.

Most of us aren't artists and are just looking at the general beauty of the scene.

I think anyone who calls themself more of an artist than another person has some ego issues, now if an artist can be "better" is still up for debate. We're all artists