Thinking Of Re-aquascaping

[Jen]

Its all a mish mash of plants in there right now, and I really feel that my two pieces of wood are taking away from my planted area, and not to mention, covering up half my plants. I just wanted to run a few things past you, and get some ideas.

Here she is as of a month ago. I'll have to take a new pic this evening. Not much has changes apart from some pruning.

I am thinking of taking out the upright wood on the left. It has a huge base, and basically has nothing planted directly around it. From there i plan to move the windy bit of wood more to the left, and try to get the java fern in the middle of it growing better. From there I want to slope things down to the right. What plants would be nice for the middle back section? Something that would stay about 10-12 inches. Then on the right and in the front I want to keep it very short... under 3 inches. Something like dwarf hair grass, or sag or the Hydrocotyle verticillata that I'm trying to get going in there now.

I want a good amount of hiding spaces, but also lots of swimming room as I plan to get a good number of angels in there.

Does anyone have any ideas for me, or pictures of tanks that are sloping?

Thanks

 

[simonbrown403]

Here's a few places to look for some ideas

http/showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2004...=0&vol=1&id=143

http/www.aquabotanic.com/gallery.htm

http/www.ratemyfishtank.com/planted_tanks.php

I think your right about the piece of wood on the left, get rid and put some mid ground plants in.
I like the vine, branchie type piece of wood you got on the right, but i think if you pull it to close to the center you will make your tank look smaller.

 

[Jen]

Thanks Simon... there are deffinately some good ideas in there.

When people have done this in the past... where is the best place to start? Should I pull everything out and move the fish over to a temp home? Give the sand a good vacuum? Or just start pulling stuff out and re-arrange on the fly?

Any thoughts?

 

[George Farmer]

It depends on your end vision. If it is entirely different to your current layout then re-home your livestock. If you intend a gradual change over a few weeks/months then obviously leave them at home.

How far do you want to go, amd how quickly do you want to get there?

Do I detect another journal thread Jen!? Go for it mate.

 

[Jen]

I know for sure that I have to pull all the plants out so that I can pull out one piece of wood and move the other. I don't imagine it will take very long to make but I have no problem moving the fish to my 35 for a week or so while I tinker. It would probably be easier in the long run... I could lower the water level, and no worry about getting all soaking wet (ala Duece Bigaglo)

From what I am thinking, it will be totally different. I just made up a little drawing in Paint.... Not the greatest, but you get the idea.

I really want to keep it simple, but also make it so you can see all the plants. That's my problem now. With the 2 bits of wood, everything in the back seems hidden, and the echindorus agustafolius seems to dominant.

I know as well that once I have the plants out and am getting things back in there, it will look completely different. I will probably need more tall stuff in the back for hiding spaces. I don't know how much angels like to hide, but I hope to have a few of them, so I want to make sure the tank is good for them.