I have a 3ft tank which I am hoping to upgrade to a 4ft (see my 'how to convince my husband' thread in the Off Topic section). Either way, my tank needs some renovation. At the moment it is looking really drab. I have white silica sand as substrate, shell rocks/limestone rocks (not sure which - it is from Whakatiki Concrete & Soil Supplies in Upper Hutt) piled up, and a little bit of driftwood (back right). I don't have a background at the moment because I did used to have a black background but found it really hard to clean the algae off the glass at the back of the tank and the black background really showed the algae up and it was looking really bad so I took it off. I have a bucket in the shed with about 8 good sized pieces of schist too which I could use.

I would love some suggestions to help me rescape, whatever I do I can take it to the next tank if I upgrade.

you could try a couple of stacks of rock and open space between for some variety

just make sure they are stable

maybe a cave as well

use the rule of 1/3's

have a focal point either the left or right 1/3 maybe even both...but not in the center.

And I'd go for a background.

Black is good cant see how dirty it is, you can hide the filter/heater etc easy, and the fish contrast it...unless you have black fish, that would look crap

use the rule of 1/3's

have a focal point either the left or right 1/3 maybe even both...but not in the center.

And I'd go for a background.

Black is good cant see how dirty it is, you can fine the filter/heat etc easy, and the fish contract it...unless you have black fish, that would look crud

very good advice, go tall as well.

If you want to really make it look good go with all dark rocks and substrate, and buffer with limestone etc rocks burried or hidden at the back or coral sand in stockings. It really brings out the colours of the fish..

BTW I agree nice looking tank, but I can see why you would like an upgrade

put the black background back and never clean it again I never clean mine, creates a background that matches the tank.

Or get a background the same colour as your algae

put the black background back and never clean it again I never clean mine, creates a background that matches the tank.

Or get a background the same colour as your algae

Hey yeah, that is a great idea!

Is this African or what? excuse my noobnees

Is this African or what? excuse my noobnees

Mostly african by the looks of it.

Only non african i can see is the severum and the GBA or GAE.

and the pictus catfish.

is it a pictus cat?

Yep. And there's a big BGK too.