Dave Spencer
Member
Get the details of the planting in and around the rocks right, and it should be a beauty Steve.
Dave.
Dave.
If you had a 90x35x45 what would you do...
- Thread starter Steve Smith
- Start date
Steve Smith
Member
Planting is gonna be -
Rotala sp. Green (by the tonne!)
Rotala "Nanjenshen"
Blyxa Japonica
P. Helferi
E. Acicularis
Also, a couple of focus plants, if TGM get them in stock
Rotala sp. Green (by the tonne!)
Rotala "Nanjenshen"
Blyxa Japonica
P. Helferi
E. Acicularis
Also, a couple of focus plants, if TGM get them in stock
Now that is looking much better Steve, love the second layout specially when you see it from above.
Now really gives the impression the tank is deeper, looking great mate
Now really gives the impression the tank is deeper, looking great mate
the second one for me too, looks really good as a mound
Wow! Very impressive, Steve. +1 for the 2nd layout.
Thomas McMillan
Member
- Joined
- 9 Jun 2008
- Messages
- 1,127
That second one looks amazing! I can't wait to see this one plants, it's gonna be one to watch.
JamesM
Member
Nice going, Steve 2nd one gets my vote mate!
2nd one gets my vote mate!
Steve Smith
Member
I think I've cracked it now. I'm pretty happy with how it looks. Added a second bag of AS, it must be about 6" deep in the back right corner! I might mine some out some day and pad it with some sand, cheap skate that I am
Anyhow, I've tweaked the left rock in a smidge, and raised it, along with the back "peak" rock, infact I've rasied them all a tiny amount. I've also added a small accent rock left of the main left rock, which I think works but I'll probably bow to opinion when I'm able to post a picture. I didn't realise but I've left my memory card reader at work, so no pics till monday, unless I use my iPhone camera, which is crappy at best!
You'll just have to take my word for it, it looks a little better now
(I just hope I haven't over tweaked it!)
Anyhow, I've tweaked the left rock in a smidge, and raised it, along with the back "peak" rock, infact I've rasied them all a tiny amount. I've also added a small accent rock left of the main left rock, which I think works but I'll probably bow to opinion when I'm able to post a picture. I didn't realise but I've left my memory card reader at work, so no pics till monday, unless I use my iPhone camera, which is crappy at best!
You'll just have to take my word for it, it looks a little better now
(I just hope I haven't over tweaked it!)
Steve Smith
Member
Snapped a crappy shot on the phone:
john starkey
Member
Hi Steve,i like it mate,i like it a lot,if the planting goes well this is gonna be a stunner,regards john.
Mark Evans
Expert
i second that mate.
That's really, really nice. One of the nicest rock layouts I've seen on UKAPS.
Nice camera phone too...
Have you considered going minimal planting with low ground cover? I think it may suit the rock composition better than stems etc.
I'm excited about seeing this develop. Well done, Steve!
Dave Spencer
Member
George Farmer said:
I am totally with George on this. I did shudder a tad when I saw your plant choice. Even the E. acicularis would overpower your rockwork.
Dave.
Steve Smith
Member
Hmn, I must admit, I do agree with you on the plants. I'm in a bit of a sticky situation though. I might need to grovel to TGM and change my plant order
So how does this sound?
HC carpet
Downoi around the rocks
Some selective hair grass placement mid-back ground
I'd really like to work some blyxa into this somewhere... maybe back ground/behind rocks.
Any other suggestions?
So how does this sound?
HC carpet
Downoi around the rocks
Some selective hair grass placement mid-back ground
I'd really like to work some blyxa into this somewhere... maybe back ground/behind rocks.
Any other suggestions?
john starkey
Member
Hi Steve,i think some bylxa would look good in the far left corner :idea: ,
regards john.
regards john.
Mark Evans
Expert
look into my eys, not around my eyes...when i count to 3 you'll wake up with the thought, "i'm to send these rocks to saintly" 
fantastic layout Steve.
it's a shame you cant see aqua journal dec 2008, dedicated to iwagumi. on page28 there's a layout reminiscent to yours. in that layout he's used the following.....
lilaeopsis in the foreground with HC mixed in
blyxa behind the rocks
and vivipara in the back.
like Dave says though even acicularis could over power the stone, unless you really mound it high. then the grass would soften the overall look.
in similar layouts to this amano sometimes just use's HC.
and the end of the day, it's your call dude
fantastic layout Steve.
it's a shame you cant see aqua journal dec 2008, dedicated to iwagumi. on page28 there's a layout reminiscent to yours. in that layout he's used the following.....
lilaeopsis in the foreground with HC mixed in
blyxa behind the rocks
and vivipara in the back.
like Dave says though even acicularis could over power the stone, unless you really mound it high. then the grass would soften the overall look.
in similar layouts to this amano sometimes just use's HC.
and the end of the day, it's your call dude
Steve Smith
Member
Thanks for all the input guys It's weird to think I wasn't aiming for a 'gumi scape originally.
I think I'm starting to get an grip on a planting scheme. I've changed my TGM plant order to include 4 pots of HC. Not sure it's going to be enough, but I have a little more floating in my storage tank at the moment. Obviously the HC will be all up front and around to the left. Next, around the rocks will be Downoi, and I'm also playing with the idea of Staurgyne around the rocks too. Then, at the back right, behind the rocks, I'm thinking Bylxa. Then behind the rock at the back and moving to the left maybe the E. acicularis.
I don't think I could cope with vivipara
It's weird to think I wasn't aiming for a 'gumi scape originally. I think I'm starting to get an grip on a planting scheme. I've changed my TGM plant order to include 4 pots of HC. Not sure it's going to be enough, but I have a little more floating in my storage tank at the moment. Obviously the HC will be all up front and around to the left. Next, around the rocks will be Downoi, and I'm also playing with the idea of Staurgyne around the rocks too. Then, at the back right, behind the rocks, I'm thinking Bylxa. Then behind the rock at the back and moving to the left maybe the E. acicularis.
I don't think I could cope with vivipara
Tony Swinney
Member
Cracking hardscape Steve - really looking forward to seeing it planted up.
Having just planted HC in a 12 x 10 nano, I dont envy your task in that tank
Good luck !
Tony
Having just planted HC in a 12 x 10 nano, I dont envy your task in that tank
Good luck !
Tony
Steve Smith
Member
Hey guys.
Remembered to upload a better hi-res photo The rock on the right has been moved a tiny amount to the right and opened the gap between it and the middle rock by maybe 1cm at most. Just means I can plant into that bit a little easier...
I've started an official journal now
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5182
Remembered to upload a better hi-res photo
The rock on the right has been moved a tiny amount to the right and opened the gap between it and the middle rock by maybe 1cm at most. Just means I can plant into that bit a little easier...
I've started an official journal now
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5182
