aquascaping a 12 eclipse

hotshotdevil32

You don't think an african leaf fish could eat that much livefood?

Byron

Never tried to see. I never feed live fish, because i have read of it not being safe. And this can apply even with your own fish. You don't know what pathogens the Endlers might carry, and pass on to their fry. This could infect other species while not showing up in the Endlers.

SinCrisis

Stocking aside, As Byron said, off center for the rock is a good idea for a more natural look. Once you get the rock and wood, take pictures and we can help you arrange them. There are many different styles, some like the triangle shake where everything is more busy on one side and slowly gets cleaner as it goes to the other side. Others use a U or V shape where the edges of the tank are busy and the center is cleaner. There is also the A shape where everything is in the middle and the sides are clean. Those are, i think, the more common styles. Obviously here is the plant everywhere and just let the plants contrast with the hardscape look too. Since I don't think you have fish yet, you can play with the hardscape to figure out what you want.

hotshotdevil32

I am at least willing to give live food a shot if worst comes to worst and I decieded that the fry was becoming too much I could put all the males in one tank and all the females in another. I will probably be getting the hard scape supplies this Friday so I will set up them up In the tank and post up some pics so we can go from there.

Chesherca

You've gotten lots of wonderful advice to get you started - you aren't getting many other replies because you have a couple of pros helping you out already, and there isn't really much to add to that! Listen to them - they know a lot about these things and won't steer you wrong!

Once you get your hard-scaping supplies and post up a picture, it will be easier to suggest ways to arrange things from an artistic standpoint to get a look you'll be happy with. If you're going back to the shop that sold you the plants, see if you can get a positive id on them. It can be really difficult to say for certain what types of plants they are, and though you've gotten some guesses that are likely correct - without being sure there will have to be a bit of wait-and-see on the final design as they grow in and fill out.

Right now you're likely feeling frustrated because you don't have the look that you want. Patience is key here. Once you have all of your supplies you will be able to pick a direction you want to go in, and things will start to come together for you.

One thing that I can almost guarantee will have you feeling happier about what you have already instantly is simply adding a dark back-round to the tank. Cheapest way to do this is to get some poster board from the craft store (around here they even have the stuff at pharmacy chains). You'll have to cut it to fit, but it'll only cost you around $1, and make the tank look a million times better in under 5 minutes.

I'll check back in over the weekend to see what you've come up with. Good luck!

stevenjohn21

Before i re scape a tank i always "google" planted tanks, aquascape, hardscape etc etc. Once i see a few tanks i like i try to steal little bits from each one and make it my own. Its a lot easier to have a plan going into this than just buying supplies and dropping them in the tank.

Im in the process of combining a hardscape tank with a planted tank (at either ends) with a small creek weaving its way through the middle (using different color substrate) and a moss tree hanging over the "creek"

Let your imagination run wild and you will be suprised what you come up with, good luck im looking forward to seeing your end result

hotshotdevil32

@chesherca I will definantly be getting a black background when I go to the local fish store on Friday. I was feeling, just as you said, a bit frustrated that the tank was not coming out the way I wanted it to. I think that is in part because the tank is so young. I guess I figured if I can make such a nice reef aquarium a planted tank should be a walk in the park.

Now I can't wait to get to the fish store and buy the hard scaping supplies! Btw I was thinking about growing some Java Moss on the driftwood. Does anyone have any experience with this? I think it would create a very cool tropical effect.

Byron

Just attach the strands of Java Moss to the wood and it will take root and spread. I usually just poke some into a crevice in the wood.

The least expensive background is a sheet of plain black constructino paper that you can buy in a hobby/craft type store. I use this on all my smaller tanks. The plain backgrounds in fish stores are very expensive, and usually shiny which is not good.

hotshotdevil32

Oh and the plant will establish a a root structure of it's own on the wood? I already have construction paper in the house so I will have to place it on the back of the tank and post some pics. thanks Byron!

Chesherca

Java Moss is cool, and pretty easy to grow under low lighting (in my limited experience) - also tends to be fairly easy to find. I say go for it! You'll just have to attach it to the driftwood for a bit until it takes root - or into a crack like Byron said. It will root into the surface after about a month or so (this may vary depending on conditions), and then you can remove anything that is holding it on. It will also spread and fill in once it's rooted. I actually tied mine down, as I didn't have a crack to poke it into, lol, but once it roots, the binding can be removed and it'll be good to go!

Also agree with Byron on the backround. I started with the actual aquarium backround on my tank, and hated it because of the reflection. I switched to the poster-board and have been much happier with it. Of course my tank is too big for construction paper - but yeah! Brilliant way to go with a small tank, and waaaaaay cheap!

I'd love to see your reef tank! Someday. . . someday I *might* be brave enough to go there, but that won't be any time soon! It IS an entirely different universe from freshwater, and many of the 'rules' are very different. Your tank IS young (lol, mine is, too!) - you'll get it where you want it and be happy with it soon, I'm sure! :)