Tropical Fish Keeping banner

The No good Rotten, very very bad day! AND Help wanted with aquascape

5K views 36 replies 11 participants last post by  Inga 
#1 · (Edited)
Today was one of those days where I should have stayed right in bed. First off, bad night, no real sleep. I got up thinking "oh, I have to go in to work early today" so I did. I foolishly got to work a half hour before I needed to be there. Oh well, 1/2 hour extra on the check won't kill me. Well, one patient after the other was grumpy. It was busy as all heck and it was just one of those days where the end of the work day couldn't get there fast enough.

I made it through the day by thinking, When I get home, I am going to move plants around in my tanks. I had some in the small tank I wanted to move out. Anyway, things were going alright with the aqua scaping when.... CRACK! I stepped down onto my glass top. :shock: :evil: :evil: I could not believe I did it. I had even thought to myself, "It is safe here, I only have one thing left to do and I KNOW it is there so I won't step on it. I should have known I WOULD step on it after today. I can't help thinking of how much more I would have if I wasn't such a dip stick. When I first bought my tank, I was fooling around inside it and used a clamp light so I could see something in there. It melted the top of the aquarium shut! :shock: I am sure you can see a pattern here with me. Makes you wonder why I am single, right? :roll:


Anyway, on to the HELP with Aquascaping part. The plants are coming along and with the additional few from the other tank, It is looking a little better. I would still like opinions for improvement. Since I cut the ugly shark log in half, I was hoping that planting behind it would hide that but nope, it sticks out like a sore thumb. I guess I will just hope as the plants grow it becomes less obvious. So, here is what I have so far.





How do you "show tank" people avoid this?


and This?


And does it look funny to have the driftwood sticking up and touching the glass like this?


What would you add? I am going by the theory that there is no such thing as too many plants. ha ha My swords still have like 7 babies on there so as they grow I will have those to stuff in there. Some of my stem plants are getting out of hand in the other tank too so I have those to put in, if needed.
 
See less See more
5
#3 ·
Sorry about your day as well...mine was busy as well...plus I have a leg injury I am dealing with..

In regards to the tank, I personally dont think you should worry about the log, it looks natural to me. A few tall plants going to near the top would look good in my opinion.

I have to say though, live plants, am not the greatest aquascaper as I havent had a full planted tank for years!
 
#7 ·
Mostly I was like this>:shock: Ha Ha

Thanks so much for the laugh.

LED bubblers and something like this (replacing bottle for larger version and personal consumption) :smile:
:shock: To that as well Ha Ha

I have seen some tanks though that are totally natural looking until you spy something like that hiding in the plants or something. It is good for a chuckle.

I don't think I would have minded the day so much until I stepped on the glass top and broke the glass. That was so disappointing. :(

In regards to the tank, I personally dont think you should worry about the log, it looks natural to me. A few tall plants going to near the top would look good in my opinion.

Thank you. I am hoping that once the swords grow up some more that will help cover up that whole ugly background. My old Swords were up to the top of the water line so hopefully these will grow that much as well. IF all 7 of the little Amazon Sword babies grow enough to be harvested, I am not sure I will have room for all of them. I might have to buy another tank. lol

I might have room for them in the 25 gallon tank but If I put them all in there, there won't be room for fish. lol

 
#5 ·
LED bubblers and something like this (replacing bottle for larger version and personal consumption) :)
 
#6 ·
Sorry about your day, when I have a bad day I listen to music. I think your tank looks very nice. I also think both the fake and real log look fine the way they are.
 
#8 ·
Thanks. The thing about the fake log now is the back of it. I sawed it off so it has a cut edge. Can't see it from the front but it is ugly from the back side. lol Hopefully as the plants grow up around it, you won't see it so much. Maybe algae will grow on the cut edge and it won't show up at all? I can hope, right?
 
#9 ·
are you worried about maintenence? If you don't mind a little trimming every few weeks, I'd add some stem plants to the background to contrast with the broad-leafed plants...

Ludwigea Repens and Prosperpinaca Palustrus come to mind. Both are easy enough to grow, and grow fairly slow.

Angelfish love grass-like plants, so vallisneria would also go well in the back. It can tend to grow rampantly though, so maybe instead, go with Zephyranthes Candida ( Dwarf Onion Plant), Cryptocoryne Retrospiralis, or Crinum Calamistratum.

Now, working only with the plants you have, I would move the highlighted plants in the image further back.

Keep shorter plants in the front, and taller plants in the back.

Another trick, is opening up some space by moving plants of the same species closer together. Sort of like this-


Does that make sense? It's better to cover up the background a little more, but you want slightly larger gaps in the midground to show the background plants. The ceratopteris can also be moved against the back wall.

There's also advanced techniques that arrange the plants by height but not front to back..... like these-


Wow, I just reslised I must have been bored... If I did a poor job explaining, feel free to ask a question. :)
 
#10 · (Edited)
Red crack me up. When I first looked at your post (before I started reading) I thought "Wow! she has 2 fish that look exactly like mine do" ha ha

I know what you are saying. I will check into some onion plants, I avoid the grass because it took over my small tank and to me it looks almost like weeds. I don't care for how it comes up mixed into other plants giving it the messy look. The Onion plants I have noticed in the past and thought they looked sort of cool. Is that one that will just keep growing and I cut the end of it as needed?

To go further with what you are saying you think it would look better if I took the Indian Red Echinodorus that is currently on the left (the one you put in red) moved that back next to the sword by the other one like it. Then moved the Small word (the other one you put in red) move it back and snatch up a couple other smaller sword stragglers and grouped them in that area? I think pretty much else is grouped by variety. The Money wort is a little here and there just because It is so spindly.

Oh, the other thing about depths is this tank stinks in that it is only 12 inches wide so... not a lot of front, middle, back. It is pretty much front and back. The ones I have in the front are currently the smaller plants. None of the plants I have in there will stay too small but maybe I can sell some as they get too big and place new babies in there?



Also, Nobody commented on the filter intake. How do you keep the plants from sucking onto it?
 
#11 ·
Red crack me up. When I first looked at your post (before I started reading) I thought "Wow! she has 2 fish that look exactly like mine do" ha ha

I know what you are saying. I will check into some onion plants, I avoid the grass because it took over my small tank and to me it looks almost like weeds. I don't care for how it comes up mixed into other plants giving it the messy look. The Onion plants I have noticed in the past and thought they looked sort of cool. Is that one that will just keep growing and I cut the end of it as needed?

To go further with what you are saying you think it would look better if I took the Indian Red Echinodorus that is currently on the left (the one you put in red) moved that back next to the sword by the other one like it. Then moved the Small word (the other one you put in red) move it back and snatch up a couple other smaller sword stragglers and grouped them in that area? I think pretty much else is grouped by variety. The Money wort is a little here and there just because It is so spindly.

Oh, the other thing about depths is this tank stinks in that it is only 12 inches wide so... not a lot of front, middle, back. It is pretty much front and back. The ones I have in the front are currently the smaller plants. None of the plants I have in there will stay too small but maybe I can sell some as they get too big and place new babies in there?
Also, Nobody commented on the filter intake. How do you keep the plants from sucking onto it?

Oh, If I move the one sword back a few inches would it be enough? Reason I am wondering is because in part I want it to cover the ugly shark log as much as possible. I am hoping what I will create, as they grow out is a plant tunnel, kind of over the log.
 
#12 ·
I don't worry about my duckweed clogging up the intake. it slows down the water movement, which is a good thing as far as I'm converned.

I have a 20L thats only about 12 inches front to back... I categorized the plants as
A Above 12 inches when grown and
B below (or slow grower, like anubias)


first, plant the A- plants as close together as possible, as close to the back as possible. Shoot for all of them being 5 inches or less from the back of the tank.
Then place the driftwood and rockwork- it can shape the swords well by lifting the low-laying leaves.
Finally, place the B plants in front of and around the wood and rock.
 
#13 ·
I don't worry about my duckweed clogging up the intake. it slows down the water movement, which is a good thing as far as I'm converned.

I have a 20L thats only about 12 inches front to back... I categorized the plants as
A Above 12 inches when grown and Most of mine are going to be above 12 inches when grown. I wanted mostly tall plants for the fish to be able to swim through. I have Anubias on the ugly log and Java Fern on the driftwood but other then that most will get fairly tall. I have a few smaller swords but those are already near the front. How much space do you think I should have at the front total? I mean, without plants?
B below (or slow grower, like anubias) I do that these nearer the front. It sucks when there is so little space between the front and the back. I wish it were 18 inches or even 24 rather then only 12


first, plant the A- plants as close together as possible, as close to the back as possible. Shoot for all of them being 5 inches or less from the back of the tank.
I was afraid that if I got them too close together the light wouldn't get to the roots and they would Rott, is that untrue? Also, I do have 18 little Cories and a shark that live down there that I thought needed space, no? I am concerned about enough food making their way down to them? I have a few more Swords that I can stuff in along the back of the tank. Isn't planting too close to the glass a problem? It sort of makes the plant stand funny, and not be able to allow the leaves to flow or move naturally in the water? It seems like in my small tank that was stuffed a bit full that the leaves that were too class to the glass got covered in algae while the rest of the plant didn't. I thought that was because it was too close.

I want plants that are at least 24 inches high in the back and my Amazons should get that tall but right now they are not mature plants. The Indian Reds should get at least 18 inches tall as well. Also, the Hygrophilia (sp?) Is in the front on the side and that should get big, I didn't want it in the back just yet because I thought it would get lost. Do you think I should stick that in the back? I think I don't have enough plants for the front as most of mine are tall plants. I wanted the whole tank tall, I guess. ha ha

Then place the driftwood and rockwork- it can shape the swords well by lifting the low-laying leaves.
Finally, place the B plants in front of and around the wood and rock.
I need more B plants, I don't know that I have any in there other there other then the few small swords. Oh and the Anubias and Java fern that is tied to the log. That stupid log even cut down is almost from front to back. I had just enough room to plant the Indian Reds behind it. Would you suggest a different plant behind that? I went with that theory too that the plant would shape well above it? or rather, around it?


I don't mind the water flow slowing down with the plant sticking on the intake, I was most concerned about the plant rotting from being stuck on it.

Oh, I just realized I do have some shorter ones... I have the Cryptocoryne's but they are already near the front too. Should I clump them together in the front?

 
#14 ·
Inga, the only thing I see in the original photos that might need changing is to move the log slightly left or right. It is fairly centre, and that always draws attention to itself. You might incorporate some of the other members' suggestions as to placement, I would say where.

Plants look very good. Give them time to settle and grow.

As for the back cover, the best way to achieve this is with floating Water Sprite. The thicker leaf structure and root mass extending down into the tank will make this space disappear. And the fish would love a roof over them anyway.

Your stepping on the glass reminded me, I did this once. Another time I was drying it too hard and it snapped in half. And one further time I had a hanging Christmas cactus in the corner of the solarium where the fish tanks were, and one day as I was doing the water changes, the hook snapped. I honestly thought someone had fired a shot through the window. With my back turned toward it, I heard a very load crack as the hook snapped, followed in about 1 second by breaking glass. The plant fell straight down and hit two of the tank cover panels that I had cleaned and they were standing against the end of the tank. Fortunately the plant was not above either of the tanks.

Byron.
 
#15 ·
How tall is the tank? I was assuming a 20L but now I see the tank is much taller than I thought...

Try to organize them however you can, but try to the tallest 1/2 in the back and sides, with the other shorter plants in the middle. I love the anubias, try to showcase it a little more.

If you 'top' the stem plants, they will branch out more... (just cut off the top 2 inches or so, and replace them. the pruned plants will become 'bushy'. I like the large sword in the back right corner.. Maybe move the driftwood over towards it so it can shape the leaves up (rather than laying down).
 
#16 · (Edited)
Alright, based on your suggestions, I made these moves. I moved the ugly log over about 8 inches. I moved the Indian Red Echinodorus over by the other one to make a group (you don't think that is too much? I moved the Balansae over to the other side, making room for the log move. Don't judge the piece of wood sitting propped up on the log, it is just there holding the Anubias in place for now. The water is a wild mess right now from the comotion but otherwise, is this kind of what you were suggesting? Oh, I also moved the small Amazon over to the other side to be by it's kind as suggested. Doesn't it seem off balance now or is it just me. Remember over look the odd piece of driftwood just sitting there. Where can I put that? I want to keep some wood for my algae eaters but I don't know where to put it now?

Byron, I do have Water sprite and Pennywort floating but I shoved them all over to one side or the other to let light in so I could get pictures. The water sprite is only 2 large pieces right now but It should grow. How does that reproduce? You can tell it had been planted, is it too late to allow it to float?



Notice Rainbow shark posturing in the picture by his log. He is getting really mad at me for continually messing with his house. ha ha


Red, the tank is 48 X12 X25 inches high
 
#17 · (Edited)
Decided to post a before and After so you can see the changes.

BEFORE


AFTER



Not sure I like the cryptocoryne balansae moved to the middle as it seems to take away from the very cool Aponogeton Crispus. Seems sort of a waste, doesn't it? But where should I move the Balansae?

Hey Byron aren't you proud of me using the technical names? ha ha
 
#18 ·
i think your tank looks awesome! to be honest the log looks great in there. i have a fake one in my tank also, but it is not nearly as nice as yours. wondering where to get a real one :(maybe if you encourage some moss to grow over it. you can hide it that way
 
#20 ·
I tied two very tiny Anubias plants to it so I am hopeful that they will attach and grow on there. If they do, I think it will help some as well. Also, as the plants next door to it, grow maybe they will sort of hang over the top of it and hide it as well. I do not like the back of it right now as it shows the cut end way too much.


pretty close to what I had in mind. Where did you put the red sword that was in the front?

I think it would look well in the back close (around) the piece of driftwood on the left...

I actually like it.. it definately looks more open, and the tank actually does look larger.. What do you think? It's not my tank ;)

I think the plants will grow in well together too...


I put the Red plant which is actually an Indian Red Echinodorus, next to the other one the middle, sort of to the left of the Amazon swords. What I don't like is that the Echinodorus, The Crispus, the Balansae all sort of blend and you don't see much difference there. I mean, when you look at the picture, can you pick out the 3 different plants?
I like the idea of having one of the two Red Echinodorus in the back left that someone mentioned. Where were you thinking??? The driftwood on the left? Do you mean the log?

 
#19 ·
pretty close to what I had in mind. Where did you put the red sword that was in the front?

I think it would look well in the back close (around) the piece of driftwood on the left...

I actually like it.. it definately looks more open, and the tank actually does look larger.. What do you think? It's not my tank ;)

I think the plants will grow in well together too...
 
#21 ·

Inga,

Tank looks great. Leave well enough alone :-D I love your Red tail shark. How cute that he is so confident about "his" space!

The log is fine, and likely will get covered as things fill in more. You've got to keep things that your fish just "love" IMO

Gwen
 
#22 ·
Thanks Gwen. You don't think all the different plants just sort of blend together in the middle now? What do you guys think I should be doing with the driftwood, just removing it?

I appreciate everyone's opinion here.
 
#25 ·

I like making a small bridge/structure thingy with wood. I'm not talking about the fake log, that's spoken for :-D If you had 2 small drift wood pieces and put them together, so there is a small arch under for fish to go, swim through. Can you do that? You have lots of plants, so it may be difficult to make room for that. Just put it off center if you do.

Gwen
 
#24 ·
Oh, you definately want the red plants to be a focus... Maybe 1/3 over from the left side, close to the back? I like the wood.

When I mentioned group species together, I'm sorry. I meant identical species together... definately spread out if they're different species.
 
#27 ·
There are mums that carry around photos of their babies. Heck, even mums that carry about pictures of their ultrasounds to show them off. Why not show off my baby swords. I suppose I am a grandmother to a plant. ha ha
Anyway, here are the pictures of the neonate. I see 7 baby Amazon Swords thus far. I am not sure but I THINK I see 2 individual plantlet coming from one node?
This one has 4 for sure, maybe 5


This one isn't as tall but has 2 for sure and this is the one that appears to have 2 on one node


Now this.... WHO DID IT? :( GRRR!

and people wonder why I hesitate to be happy about snails?

Also... How would this plant reproduce?
 
#28 ·
So, over a week later the update on the plants

More growth and things are filling in some.



The baby swords are growing nicely



The Lily bulbs are coming up


Notice the Crispus is almost touching the floating plants now. :) :)

Now notice this... :( :(



Stupid Anubias is once again been torn loose from where I had tied them. Grrrr!
 
#29 ·
Oh Inga, every time you post more photos I have to say how beautiful it looks...and it certainly does.:nicefish:
 
#30 ·
Oh my goodness that is an amazing complement coming from you. :-D I had to cut a lot out again, I am getting quite a few holes in the plants and I only have one Mystery snail. My Balansae was munched on a lot. Any ideas? Is it fish or do you think one snail has done all this?


It only has like 5 long leaves, I hate to cut 3 of them out. :-?
 
#31 ·
That does appear more like something eating the leaf. I've never had mystery (or any large) snails.
 
#33 ·
I wish I knew who was munching? I have seen the Angels picking at it but I don't know if they started it or are just doing it because it is rough edges? Do fish eat plants? The Balasae must be especially tasty as it is hit the worst. Oto's have never bothered my plants in the past so I didn't think it was them?

Thanks for the complement, yyankeeyankeefan. It is a work in progress for sure. I am truly excited about the babies though... I am becoming a plant hoarder and sit around picturing how plants will look in a new tank. :)http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/members/34555/

I will likely re-do my 25 gallon next. Especially with all the nice new swords I will have to work with.
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/members/34555/
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top