Trial And Error

[minnnt]

I planted a Crypt to cover the stems of the Hydrocotyle, but the Blyxa would probably be a better option. When i look at the tank in real life i think it looks good, but looking at the picture on the computer it looks less so...

Hmmm... I'm gonna have a play today and see what i can come up with.

I think that is my problem... I tinker too much and it just knocks the plants backwards.

 

[ian]

you are very much correct there Dave (the tinkering part)...if it looks good to you and you see potential then leave well alone. At the end of the day you're the one looking at it, not us.

 

[minnnt]

No way I like to take on board what everyone says and try to implement them. I want a great looking tank, something i have struggled with in the past. I have never kept any of these plants before (apart from Vallis and Crypts) so need all the advice i can get. Am i trimming the tops off of the Rotala then and leaving the bottoms or am i removing the bottoms and replanting the tops? Or do i prune a bit from the top and the bottom?

I actually ordered the wrong Hydrocotyle. I think the one i wanted was Japan?!

 

[ian]

i'll have some spare Japan in a week or so, i'll give you a shout.

you can leave the bottoms of the Rotala, you'll get growth from it.

 

[minnnt]

That would be most kind of you. Will sort you out some monies for postage etc.

There is loads of growth starting from the bottoms. I will remove the top 2" then and replant (because i'm tight like that!) in an attempt to bulk it up a little then. What about the Hygrophila? Should i remove that or keep it?

 

[minnnt]

My Echinodorus is growing by the day. New leaves are sprouting up all over the place! It's also happily pearling away too.


Pearling and Growing by David Raynham, on Flickr

 

[minnnt]

Quick full tank shot after altering a few bits. I think I am happy with it now?


FTS by David Raynham, on Flickr

 

[Jay1983]

Looking good mate there its definitely starting to take shape I really like it. Really like the rock placement and can't wait to see what it looks like when it carpets!

 

[minnnt]

The plan is to move the glosso further together to make room for your hc & hm so it should have a much more carpet feel... Whether it works or not is a different story. Lol.

 

[Jay1983]

ha ha well best of luck with it mate, dunno how much use its going to be... tried to get as much together as I could but don't know if it will be much use!!

Tank is defo moving in the right direction though

 

[FishFanatic04]

Hate to do this to ya Minnnt, but I noticed something after seeing the FTS. You may have dropped the rest of your cabomba on the floor as I only see one stem?


That was the joke answer, the real one: I noticed that your sword draws the eye first thing, which is dead center. I just struggled with that and the Rule of thirds. Without the sword your eye would go to the 2 rocks instead, or whatever is behind it. Just a thought.

 

[minnnt]

Rules are made to be broken.

Yeah I know what you mean though, it is a little eye catching. But then its a very attention seeking plant. It may look a little different when the Rotala to the left grows up around it.
It was further right originally.

The singular stem (there is actually 2) is actually Limnophilla which I plonked there as a 1" cutting. Going to move it across to the far left once it has grown a little more.

 

[Tizer]

Tanks looking nice minnnt

Limnophilla is ace, its done nicely in my tank without any CO2.

3 months growth:

I nearly binned it all when i took it out of my old tank, glad i kept those couple of stems as its taken off so much I've been able to take clippings and start it in my other nano. If anyone swaps / trades plants, this is a super cheap one to post.

 

[ian]

Limnph is a noxious weed, and it is actually against the law to chuck it anywhere near a water way.

anyways, i like it Minnnt, don't try and tinker with it to much now, let that sword settle and get it'submerged leaves. I reckon when it does, that tank will be totally transformed and i can see what it will be like 2 months down the line, and it will look very good.

As for the golden ratio, you can get away with it, it's only something used by artists and amano brought it into the nature aquarium scene. It does work obviously, but there are scapes that don't use the ratio which are some of the most famous tanks/scapes.

and ps, Tizer...you grew a coconut!!!

 

[Ps3Steveo]

and ps, Tizer...you grew a coconut!!!

Lol