AndyMcD
Member
My very first attempt at keeping a planted tank has been underway for about 18 months, so I feel this upgrade will be my first real, proper aquascape.
So far, I've made a lot of errors and have struggled quite a bit, so I'd appreciate lots of constructive criticism. I've read far more than I've done, so I feel I've a massive amount to learn.
I'm also planning something that is a bit out of the ordinary, so I may end up with some unusual challenges.
My inspiration comes from, the Lake District:
Padley Gorge:
http://www.nickscape.co.uk/padley-gorge-photography-guide-photographs
Fairy Glen, Betwys Y Coed, Wales:
http://www.robrowe.net/m/media/310cbb06-a049-11e3-b72c-1f6a9384bd60-fairy-glen-river-conwy-wales
http://www.snowdoniaguide.com/fairy_glen.htm
I'm bringing forward from my previous tank a number of rheophilic fish, that prefer oxygenated fast flowing streams. I appreciate that a river manifold aquarium would be a better design for this type of fish (but not for the plants).
I'm going for increased surface agitation, as this will help ensure more O2, 24 hours a day. For now, I'm planning on adding liquid carbon, as you can't out gas a liquid. If this doesn't work I may add CO2 plus an airstone at night. I've got two external filters, with two (ugly) spray bars along the back wall, pointing to the front, hopefully providing quite a bit of flow.
My aim is a design that is more rugged and hill stream like. I'm trying to suggest that there is a riffle to the left (upstream) and the plants are finding shelter in a bend in the stream, becoming more habitable to the right (downstream). The driftwood has been bent into shape by the flow. A waterfall can be glimpsed under the driftwood.
Once the plants grow in, I'm hoping this will create a clockwise spiral, beginning at the waterfall.
Close up of driftwood:
I'm using the rocks to separate the soil from the sand and to create deeper planting areas in the back right and left (like ADA do). I appreciate this makes it look like a wall, but I hope to soften this with pebbles, plants and moss.
This is a close up of the waterfall, although the rocks will be less piled on top of each other in the centre.
Tank size: 80W x 45D x 40H Optiwhite 144L
Filters: Eheim and JBL external filters with 700 L/h turnover each
Light: Arcadia Classica OTL LED 800mm
Nutrients: Liquid carbon
Hardscape: TGM Blue Stone plus Manzanita driftwood
Substrate: ADA Aquasoil Amazonia (standard 9L and Powder x 3L) and JBL Volcano Mineral x 4L
Fiji Sand Coarse x 10L plus small river pebbles
Fish & shrimp (from previous tank):
Danio Choprae (Glowlight Danio) x 9
Gastromyzon Scitilus (hillstream loach) x 1
Gastromyzon Stellatus (hillstream loach) x 1
Caridina multidentata x 1
Plants:
I'm mostly going for plants in Tropica's Easy range, although there are some Medium plants too.
Foreground (right hand side):
Crypt. Parva
Eleocharis Acicularis Mini (1-2-Grow)
Eleocharis Parvula
Marsilea Crenata (1-2-Grow)
Micranthemum Monte Carlo (1-2-Grow)
Midground:
Anubias Petite
Bacopa Compact
Crypt. Brown
Crypt. Costata
Crypt. Petchii
Crypt. Wendtii Green
Crypt. Willisii
Microsorum Pteporus Narrow
Background:
Crypt. Balansae Crispatula
Linderna Rotundifolia
Rotala Rotundifolia
Moss:
Fontinalis Antipyretica (1-2-Grow)
Vesicularia Ferriei Weeping (1-2-Grow)
I'd appreciate people's opinions on whether this design seems reasonable and any would appreciate any advice you can give.
So far, I've made a lot of errors and have struggled quite a bit, so I'd appreciate lots of constructive criticism. I've read far more than I've done, so I feel I've a massive amount to learn.
I'm also planning something that is a bit out of the ordinary, so I may end up with some unusual challenges.
My inspiration comes from, the Lake District:
Padley Gorge:
http://www.nickscape.co.uk/padley-gorge-photography-guide-photographs
Fairy Glen, Betwys Y Coed, Wales:
http://www.robrowe.net/m/media/310cbb06-a049-11e3-b72c-1f6a9384bd60-fairy-glen-river-conwy-wales
http://www.snowdoniaguide.com/fairy_glen.htm
I'm bringing forward from my previous tank a number of rheophilic fish, that prefer oxygenated fast flowing streams. I appreciate that a river manifold aquarium would be a better design for this type of fish (but not for the plants).
I'm going for increased surface agitation, as this will help ensure more O2, 24 hours a day. For now, I'm planning on adding liquid carbon, as you can't out gas a liquid. If this doesn't work I may add CO2 plus an airstone at night. I've got two external filters, with two (ugly) spray bars along the back wall, pointing to the front, hopefully providing quite a bit of flow.
My aim is a design that is more rugged and hill stream like. I'm trying to suggest that there is a riffle to the left (upstream) and the plants are finding shelter in a bend in the stream, becoming more habitable to the right (downstream). The driftwood has been bent into shape by the flow. A waterfall can be glimpsed under the driftwood.
Once the plants grow in, I'm hoping this will create a clockwise spiral, beginning at the waterfall.
Close up of driftwood:
I'm using the rocks to separate the soil from the sand and to create deeper planting areas in the back right and left (like ADA do). I appreciate this makes it look like a wall, but I hope to soften this with pebbles, plants and moss.
This is a close up of the waterfall, although the rocks will be less piled on top of each other in the centre.
Tank size: 80W x 45D x 40H Optiwhite 144L
Filters: Eheim and JBL external filters with 700 L/h turnover each
Light: Arcadia Classica OTL LED 800mm
Nutrients: Liquid carbon
Hardscape: TGM Blue Stone plus Manzanita driftwood
Substrate: ADA Aquasoil Amazonia (standard 9L and Powder x 3L) and JBL Volcano Mineral x 4L
Fiji Sand Coarse x 10L plus small river pebbles
Fish & shrimp (from previous tank):
Danio Choprae (Glowlight Danio) x 9
Gastromyzon Scitilus (hillstream loach) x 1
Gastromyzon Stellatus (hillstream loach) x 1
Caridina multidentata x 1
Plants:
I'm mostly going for plants in Tropica's Easy range, although there are some Medium plants too.
Foreground (right hand side):
Crypt. Parva
Eleocharis Acicularis Mini (1-2-Grow)
Eleocharis Parvula
Marsilea Crenata (1-2-Grow)
Micranthemum Monte Carlo (1-2-Grow)
Midground:
Anubias Petite
Bacopa Compact
Crypt. Brown
Crypt. Costata
Crypt. Petchii
Crypt. Wendtii Green
Crypt. Willisii
Microsorum Pteporus Narrow
Background:
Crypt. Balansae Crispatula
Linderna Rotundifolia
Rotala Rotundifolia
Moss:
Fontinalis Antipyretica (1-2-Grow)
Vesicularia Ferriei Weeping (1-2-Grow)
I'd appreciate people's opinions on whether this design seems reasonable and any would appreciate any advice you can give.
Attachments
-
WaterfallFocus.jpe1.6 MB · Views: 109
-
WaterfallFocus.jpe1.6 MB · Views: 90
-
TankCabinet.jpe1.3 MB · Views: 124
-
WaterfallFocus.jpe1.6 MB · Views: 93
-
TankCabinet.jpe1.3 MB · Views: 100
-
loaches800.jpe178.4 KB · Views: 123
-
TankCabinet.jpe1.3 MB · Views: 91
-
PlantingSketch.jpe1.8 MB · Views: 116
-
loaches800.jpe178.4 KB · Views: 102
-
loaches800.jpe178.4 KB · Views: 102
-
PlantingSketch.jpe1.8 MB · Views: 92
-
PlantingSketch.jpe1.8 MB · Views: 96