Tips On Improving My Aquascape?

[cooledwhip]

I set up a 2.5 gallon tank with a DIY rock background. It took almost a month for it to be at a pH safe for fish, and for the water to clear up. It was painful to look at. Anyway, the water is now crystal clear after I purchased a cheapo mini HOB filter on amazon. I threw some filter floss in there and the next day it was crystal clear water. Anyway, I just today added some pearlweed and cryptos. I don't know how long they will last because they came from my 20 long with lots of ferts and good light, and I don't WANT to dose ferts on the 2.5 gallon but I guess I'll have to. 
 
The plants pictured are the only plants I have in there, and I also have the three guppies. Any recommendations on simple, small and easy plants I can put in there? Thanks
 
http/imgur.com/a/XM0RC

 

[Byron]

Corkscrew Vallisneria would work well, especially if the GH on moderately hard or harder.  The chain sword (Helanthium tenellum, previosly known as Echinodorus tenellus) would fit in, a slightly lighter green to the darker green of Vallisneria.  I don't know what the light is, but both of these can manage in moderate.  Once established, both will send out runners and spread, but this is easy enough to control.
 
Byron.

 

[julielynn47]

I like it!  I love that rock wall background. You did that yourself? Out of real rocks?  I would love something like that in my tank

 

[cooledwhip]

The light is a single 15w floursecent bulb. 
 
Yeah it was pretty easy to do actually. first, take some styrofoam and silicone it together so you have a brick/block. Then take a razor or knife and carve out your design (creativity here is the hardest part imo). Then, apply some concrete cement, after that, silicone it in place. Really looks nice.

 

[julielynn47]

I really like your background. I think I will try one myself

 

[julielynn47]

I have a link to this tutorial on making a background.  I don't feel like I am creative enough to do this with cement. But this way it is kinda "creates" itself.
 
 https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELtoOJKgfKM

 

[cooledwhip]

I have a link to this tutorial on making a background.  I don't feel like I am creative enough to do this with cement. But this way it is kinda "creates" itself.
 
 https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELtoOJKgfKM

Here is a better tutorial. You MUST subscribe to this guy as well: 
 
https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROZPt7M2uIk

 

[julielynn47]

I will check it out

 
This my favorite of all I have seen so far.
https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6vMxOg4EI
 
a lightweight slate looking wall.  I might just have to attempt this 

 

[cooledwhip]

Looks nice. Too bad it was ruined with fake plants and deco. lol

 

[julielynn47]

I understand the cement thing now at least.  A real slate ledge would weigh so much, but that would weigh next to nothing I would think.  I would want real plants. I just have to try this.  I don't want mine to stick out that far though. Maybe at the bottom, but not all the way up.  Now I just have to find someplace to get styrofoam sheets.

 

[cooledwhip]

I understand the cement thing now at least.  A real slate ledge would weigh so much, but that would weigh next to nothing I would think.  I would want real plants. I just have to try this.  I don't want mine to stick out that far though. Maybe at the bottom, but not all the way up.  Now I just have to find someplace to get styrofoam sheets.

I got mine from a fish order package of fish I ordered online. I was walking out of dunkin donuts one day and found a massive sheet by the garbage can so I grabbed it. It's green and idk if it will work but I'll try sometime.
 
You can also go behind a furniture store and find massive peices of styrofoam.

 

[julielynn47]

I have piece of styrofoam insulation.  It looks like a sheet of plywood but it has silver paper on one side.  I think I might use that.  As far as I know it is nothing but plain old styrofoam.  I will do some checking to make sure. But that is what it looks like anyway.