My First Rock Layout

[davemonkey]

I've always avoided using rocks, but I figured I'd give them a shot for something new and different. I like how they turned out, but now I think that once this gets planted, most of the hardscape will be hidden. These rocks are mostly larger than what you see...buried in the substrate and sitting on top of more rock under them.

Any suggestions on plants or advice on the rock-work is greatly appreciated.

-Dave



A view from above:

[FrontosaurusRex]

I think it's nice how it is. There are a few minor things you could tweak to add some more height and depth in the back right hand corner but overall it's good. Building the substrate up and at a slope helps create height and depth. Google "iwagumi" and check out some examples. Very inspiring.

[FrontosaurusRex]

Upon closer inspection, i see you've already built up the substrate...my bad.

[TaTeR ToT]

Looks good.
As for plants.
What's your lighting going to be on this tank?
Are you going to use pressurized co2?
Is that holy rock?
If so it may raise your Ph higher than you might like.
Co2 will help this, I'm just not sure how much.

[davemonkey]

Yeah, the substrate is between 4.5 to 5.5" in the rear and 1.5" in the front.

I'm not sure what type of rock it is. Kwc1974 gave it to me and it has some quartz-liek structure in it, apprears to have some iron, and possibly is lime-based. My lighting will be either high or very high and I'll use pressurized CO2. I'm used to the high pH...no Erio's on Tonina's in this tank for sure.

I'm considering HC...I have actually never tried it (I killed some about 4 yrs ago when I set up my first planted tank ever). I also considered some dwarf hairgrass that I can collect locally, but hairgrass can get really shaggy looking if you don't stay on it.

I also am conflicted about whether to plant a taller background or leave it all short.

[wesleydnunder]

I like it and think it will show up well if you keep the plants short with just a few tall stems or crypts in the back.

Mark

[aquabee]

Agree with Mark. Some green crypts and some red crypts in the back would be really cool.

[Complexity]

Looks really good! I like the asymmetrical balanced look to it all. The smaller rock the middle back will probably get hidden, but the others may show up if you keep the plants short.

What plants were you planning to put in? Keep posting pics as you plant the tank. It'll be fun to watch it come to life!

[eklikewhoa]

Marsiela or HC would definitely look good

[eklikewhoa]

Personally I think the scape has a "scattered" look to it, doesn't draw the eyes to any specific focal point.

Just some constructive critism, I'm by no means anyone to judge.

[SunnyHouTX]

That's because your mind is scattered...

[eklikewhoa]

That's because your mind is scattered...

Not gonna deny, that could be so.

[davemonkey]

Personally I think the scape has a "scattered" look to it, doesn't draw the eyes to any specific focal point.

Just some constructive critism, I'm by no means anyone to judge.

Well, about 4 or 5 people from APC are telling me to pull out the very center rock so that the plants will have more of a "lawn" effect or something like that. I wanted to keep that rock there so that the plants would not "soften" the scape too much. But, if I were to pull it out, that would bring focus to the large rock in the back. Then, the smallest rock on the RT side would need to be brought in a little tighter, or maybe even replaced...

Thoughts?

Oh, and I really think I'm going to try HC for this scape. Maybe plut some Blyxa in a few choice spots?

[eklikewhoa]

IMO, ditch the center rock, replace the left side and with that I add, I doubt the plants will soften the scape with that big rock sitting on the right.

[davemonkey]

How about this? All I did was set another rock in between/on top of the RT group. Does that look too odd?

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