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Silver Lining - Alex's 96l (Planted)

Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

I have three tanks in my bedroom - they're not allowed anywhere else! :lol: They're not noisy at all, although when the internal filters get clogged sometimes it can be quite loud.

This promises to be a nice aquascape, can't wait to see what you do with it. ;)
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

Clarke, you get used to the noise ;)

Thanks Thomas :D

After two and a half hours of rock arranging yesterday, and another half hour this morning, here is my first ever Iwagumi...

DSC03436.jpg


DSC03430.jpg


This is completely different to how I had planned it, so The plants I mentioned will most likely change.

All comments and criticisms welcome, as always :)

Cheers
Alex
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

I like it, although it's just like a 'clump' of rocks if you get me? Maybe try to space them out a bit more? It's different anyway, and originality is something to strive for nowadays.
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

I think the planting could stop them being a lump of rocks...though they're a lump of rocks that perhaps look much better in person.
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

Hi Alex

Looks like a great start :D If it were me I'd be tempted to rotate the tallest rock a few degrees clockwise, and move the right hand rock further to the right to give a little separation to the group, but thats just me, and I'm only going off a flat front view :lol:

Good luck with the planting.

Cheers

Tony
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

Thanks for the constructive comments :D

Looking at the tank today, I can see what you guys mean that the rocks need to be more seperated. I'm going to have another play around today, with the rocks and substrate etc.

Cheers
Alex
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

Right second attempt after another four hours at it this afternoon :D

DSC03447.jpg


DSC03444.jpg


DSC03445.jpg


Comments please :lol:

Cheers
Alex
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

Such good rocks! I've really liked all of them so far! all have been pretty much perfect for a hair grass/marslia scape! The new ones are my favourite, it's just a mtter of tweaking them once the substrate is in to add extra depth.
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

Cheers Sam and Gareth :)

I really appreciatte feedback so would love some more comments.
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

Hi Alex,

Super journal so far mate. Well done!

DSC03445.jpg


Personally, when I'm using rocks I try to make them look as natural as possible. Like they're coming out of the ground and they've been there for thousands of years. This is what nature teaches us, but it's not a rule that you have to follow, of course.

However, with this in mind, I consider the left hand large rock to be a little unnatural looking and at odds with the more natural rocks to the right.

The profile of the left rock does not seem to balance well with others. Do you see what I mean?

You could try and move the large rock around i.e. turn it upside down, back to front etc. etc. Try all conceivable angles.

The largest rock is the most important in Iwagumi, so it's worth spending some time (I know you done so already - sorry!) to get it right.

The the smaller rocks will follow.

I hope that helps and hasn't put too much of a downer on things. If you want to go for a truly original Iwagumi then stick with what you've got.

Keep up the good work! :D
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

Tonser said:
Looks great Alex :D Maybe a bit too much height difference between the left hand one and the other two, and maybe the right hand 2 are too similar in height. Or maybe not :D

Just my thoughts :lol:

Tony

Thanks for the advice Tony.

I may try and build up the naturesoil more around one of the rocks to get more variation in height.

George Farmer said:
Hi Alex,

Super journal so far mate. Well done!

DSC03445.jpg


Personally, when I'm using rocks I try to make them look as natural as possible. Like they're coming out of the ground and they've been there for thousands of years. This is what nature teaches us, but it's not a rule that you have to follow, of course.

However, with this in mind, I consider the left hand large rock to be a little unnatural looking and at odds with the more natural rocks to the right.

The profile of the left rock does not seem to balance well with others. Do you see what I mean?

You could try and move the large rock around i.e. turn it upside down, back to front etc. etc. Try all conceivable angles.

The largest rock is the most important in Iwagumi, so it's worth spending some time (I know you done so already - sorry!) to get it right.

The the smaller rocks will follow.

I hope that helps and hasn't put too much of a downer on things. If you want to go for a truly original Iwagumi then stick with what you've got.

Keep up the good work! :D

Thanks George for the advice :)

I am trying to go for something a bit different, but I can see what you mean about the large rock. I will have another play around this week and perhaps try some different rocks, and try the large one in differnet positions.

Thanks for the helpful post :D

Cheers
Alex
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

Can I throw a spanner in the works, Alex - and George?

While I can understand exactly what George is driving at, I've been wondering if there is scope for less 'typical' rockscapes. While what Alex has come up with is not commonplace in nature, there are precedents for it:
brimham_rocks.jpg

That's Brimham Rocks; this is Rough Tor:
Rough%20Tor.JPG

Then there's Norber erratic:
MI38norbererratic480.JPG

These are all daft, 'unnatural' rock formations - but I'm sure plenty of us know of plenty more.

While nature doesn't give us these bizarre arrangements routinely, they're not THAT unusual.

Just a thought :wideyed:
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

I love all of those wild examples. When I used to do railway modeling there was a saying that went "nothing is every wrong, there's always going to be a prototype for something, no matter how far fetched you think it is". This is exactly what you did here. ;) :lol:
 
Re: Alex's 96l low light Iwagumi

Personally I love the rock work as you've got it. Different and interesting. It looks 'natural' to me, esp now you've shown us the photos of the landscape that's inspired it.

Stick with it I say! Its your tank, do want you want with it! There is no wrong way of doing it, so long as its want you want :)

Sam
 
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