Tank Layout Ideas

[justjon]

Hi All.

So - I was thinking about getting rid of my sand but am really unsure. I think I just need some inspiration on a new layout, as mine seems to be just very basic at the moment and I really want something that you see and go "wow" at.

Any ideas would be great to see... I like the idea of moss but some that I got a while ago seemed to go really bushy and I just want the "grass" type moss around some things perhaps... i'd also like a bit more plantation but I need stuff that's easy to look after and is happy with simple bottled c02 every now and then rather than a full c02 setup.

Also, my stockings in my sig so any ideas on anything else? Not sure how much more I can keep.

Pic of current (meh) setup.

 

[SchottayB]

Lots of plants , you can get some nice looking "easy care/grow" plants that dont need co2. Maybe a moss coconut, or bridge?

 

[This Old Spouse]

I see a lot more room for many plants, and some rocks. For plants, how about some grasses, and something that will grow taller, like Amazon sword or even Elodea. Here's one of mine, just for suggestions:

 

[justjon]

I'd like a really heavily (but NICE) looking tank but with sand is this possible? As I thought sand had to be rotated and also wouldn't want dirt (poop etc) showing everywhere.

Old Spouse: I LOVE your tank. I just cannot ever seem to get that into mine. Can you give any adivse, what plants you have and what ornaments/wood you have there as well?

I love it.

 

[This Old Spouse]

One of the nice things about having lots of plants on sand is that it tends to camouflage the excess poop! In my tank with my male guppies, I rarely see any. In my 55g I see some but that's only because I have a common plec, The Great Poo Machine.

 

[justjon]

I see. What are those little cat fish type guys you can get, would these be ok in my tank (I have an assasin snail) and how many could I fit with my stock? I understand they love sand.

 

[This Old Spouse]

I'd like a really heavily (but NICE) looking tank but with sand is this possible? As I thought sand had to be rotated and also wouldn't want dirt (poop etc) showing everywhere.

Old Spouse: I LOVE your tank. I just cannot ever seem to get that into mine. Can you give any adivse, what plants you have and what ornaments/wood you have there as well?

I love it.

Thanks so much! The plants I have are of the VERY EASY variety, because I just refuse to get into the whole CO2 dosing routine. I've got 4 tanks now and it's all I can do to keep up with their simple maintenance!

The plants I have are Elodea, pennywort, red flame sword, some other kind of sword (that I got as a dried bulb at Walmart, of all things) and ludwigia. I also have hornwort in addition to these in another tank, and an anubia in yet another tank. All very easy and grow well.

The wood is just driftwood I picked up along the shores of Lake Superior. Same with the rocks!

 

[Harlequins]

You could easily put 6 corys in there

Has others have mentioned get more plants,i recently changed my set up and removed most of the artificial decor and added bogwood and live plants mainly crypts/anubias & java fern(see siggy pic)

Sand is easier to clean than gravel imo

 

[This Old Spouse]

I see. What are those little cat fish type guys you can get, would these be ok in my tank (I have an assasin snail) and how many could I fit with my stock? I understand they love sand.

I have a variety of corydoras, and yes, they love sand! And I love them. There are dozens of varieties of them, and they're all great.

They do love to be in groups of at least 6, and you could easily fit those in your tank.

 

[justjon]

Thanks guys, unfortunately I can't just pick up drift wood, I have a limited selection available at my LFS. But i'll see.

Would my wood perhaps be better just lied out across the bottom, and perhaps less sand (I have quite a bit built up) ?

I could then add more plantation I guess. I have fern atm but they are very poor quality.. trying to revive them!

The Corys: Any specific species name? Would they be ok with my snail? (If not, I could move my snail to my smaller tank mind).

 

[Harlequins]

Corys should be fine with snails.

Look for interesting bogwood shapes has opposed to flat ones,although they could be propped up with rocks etc,i like bogwood that have curves/arches in them where they look like cave(if you know what i mean)
Pets at home(uk) has had some good pieces in the past near me,and reasonably priced

 

[kizno1]

Thanks guys, unfortunately I can't just pick up drift wood, I have a limited selection available at my LFS. But i'll see.

Would my wood perhaps be better just lied out across the bottom, and perhaps less sand (I have quite a bit built up) ?

I could then add more plantation I guess. I have fern atm but they are very poor quality.. trying to revive them!

The Corys: Any specific species name? Would they be ok with my snail? (If not, I could move my snail to my smaller tank mind).

Do you have a forest near you? If you do go have a search for any hardwood (Oak ,ect) That has fallen off and the bark is naturally pealing off the take any remaning bark of and boil it then its safe to use. Thats what ive done with a load of small branchy pieces to make like a mangrove effect in the middle of the tank soon to be with some plants on each side and so floating plants.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Honestly, I'd leave everything you have now right where it is, and just add some plants that will grow UP. Elodea grows extremely well and fast ... you could put that in front of your filter intake to disguise it a bit. Another tallish plant on the right, and some grasses in front. Voìla! Rescaped tank for very little money.

 

[justjon]

Well, i've re-arranged a bit and it does look better with the wood spread around the back area and i've also made a "hill" at the back right corner which looks good I think.

Now to decide which plants to go for.

 

[justjon]

Here is the new layout I quickly did... i've ordered some red plants to fill it up more from ebay (co.uk one). Can anyone find anything else plant wise to fill it out a bit?

What's the moss that stays short, perhaps I could add that to my front piece of wood?