Li@m Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 So this is my 25 gal ( Gonna be a PLanted Tank) and i would like know your thoughts. All coments welcome, good or bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bishop Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 I like it. I would remove the wood on the right side it doesn't really need to be there. As we cant see what is behind it it may create an awkward balance on the right but I think it would be better than having that piece. I would also try and get some more of those twisted pieces and run them towards the front of the tank from the central point. I really like the twisted branch coming up from the stones at the front too, maybe some more of that but not too much. My 2 cents. :smln: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Yes i would remove the piece at the front right side, perhaps replace it with 3 rocks spaced apart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Yes i would remove the piece at the front right side, perhaps replace it with 3 rocks spaced apart I agree with removing the right wood but it doesn't need to be replaced by anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomGilberg Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 looking good so far! i would mabe put some large-med rocks around the central wood. as for when you get around planting it, i would put narrow leaved javafern in the center of the wood, this makes a very cool effect. i would plant some bigger swords and or crypts in the back and a med-low ground cover in the front like dwarf sag or hairgrass. but then im no expert. good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymox Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 It looks really good! I would try to shift the focal point slightly off centre, but it does look great so I would be careful not to mess that up. You could always use a stunning plant as the focal point though. Are you going for high lighting and Co2? If that is the case I would increase the amount of gravel you have in there, probably get something like aqua basis plus for underneath too saves having to muck around with root ferts so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 I agree with the nymox. Something like Daltons aquatic soil then maybe twice that depth of gravel. Then add fish and water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 I would shift the focal point more to the right or left (but you'll have to laterally inverse it) but not remove that wood. You'll like it when the plants go in. Try flourite for the base. Definitely the best option for a tank of that size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hovmoller Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 IMO the size of the gravel is too big & uniform Otherwise looks great! :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 The wood bits look nice, but I feel that the arrangement is a bit contrived. If you are going to lay the tank out to rule of thirds then you want to have focal points at intersecting thirds, at the moment there isn't really anything on an intersecting third and the whole is weighted to the middle third. I would think about removing the right most bit, then move the rest towards the right so the third line on the right runs up the left side of the heavy bit that is in the front of the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted May 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 Thank you everyone for your comments i will consider repositioning the wood. Are you going for high lighting and Co2? If that is the case I would increase the amount of gravel you have in there, probably get something like aqua basis plus for underneath too saves having to muck around with root ferts so much. -Im going to have DIY Co2 and probably won't have two higher lights. Gravel wise, im gonna have some white silica sand on top of the thiner gravel. Try flourite for the base. Definitely the best option for a tank of that size. -I will look into it. l i would put narrow leaved javafern in the center of the wood, i would plant some bigger swords and or crypts in the back -just what i was thinking 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted July 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Update. I have taken your ideas into consideration and have produced this... White silica sand will be in the front where there is no substrate. Critique Please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 It looks too awesome. Please dumb it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
critter_crazy Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Incredibly wicked!! Can't wait to see how it turns out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 It looks good, but I think you'll struggle to keep the silica sand and gravel separate, unless you're not planning on adding warter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted July 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 It looks good, but I think you'll struggle to keep the silica sand and gravel separate, unless you're not planning on adding warter. Do you mean it will merge and dissapear into the gravel or will it just get stirred up with the water and go everywhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 It looks good, but I think you'll struggle to keep the silica sand and gravel separate, unless you're not planning on adding warter. I disagree, kinda - as long as it's only a few mm thick it'll look awesome and will only go back into the first few rows of pebbles. You might have to add a handful every couple of months to counter what does filter back into the other river stones but it should look good as long as it's only a thin layer. If you're aiming for a couple of cm's thick you're going to have problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted July 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 I disagree, kinda - as long as it's only a few mm thick it'll look awesome and will only go back into the first few rows of pebbles. You might have to add a handful every couple of months to counter what does filter back into the other river stones but it should look good as long as it's only a thin layer. If you're aiming for a couple of cm's thick you're going to have problems. What probs will i get if it is a couple cm's thick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burrowssj Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 would look amazing with some tame Xmas moss if you go the planting route I like it so far! nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 What probs will i get if it is a couple cm's thick? Then it will all wash out through the whole tank and you'll be forever wishing you had only used a little . Probably not a 'problem' but it won't look as awesome. This is just my opinion of course... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 I have my gravel setup like that too, silica sand seperated by normal gravel, i have about 5cm of it at some spots, it doesnt go everywhere, but i used a plate and my syphon to eb the water in very slowly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 I don't think the silica mixing elsewhere will be enough of a problem not to do it. As Dan said, you can just top up a bit extra from time to time if it's gets low. You won't see much if any of it that gets back to the gravel as it will just fall through the cracks. If it does get too annoying you can just cover it with gravel or suck it out with gravel vac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted July 20, 2011 Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 I guess it depends on the fish too, and how careful you are when cleaning it. Start with a thin layer as suggested and top it up if needed. I've never had much luck keeping pea-sized gravel heaped up, gravity always seems to level it out eventually, but perhaps with a gentle slope, no excessive flow and smaller fish it will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89crwreck Posted July 20, 2011 Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 What if you used a fine grade marble chip instead of silica sand? doesn't get stirrd up as easily and looks nice and white Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted July 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 It looks too awesome. Please dumb it down. Thanks. Incredibly wicked!! Can't wait to see how it turns out! Thanks. I will start a thread when my tank is set up. :spop: would look amazing with some tame Xmas moss if you go the planting route I like it so far! nice work! Oh it will be planted.. I don't think i have enough light to get xmas moss to grow perfectly in the xmas tree shape. :roll: What if you used a fine grade marble chip instead of silica sand? doesn't get stirrd up as easily and looks nice and white Thanks for the idea.. but i already have a spare bag of silica sand left over and don't want to buy a new bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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