Alvin Koh's Journal: 90x45x45cm Planted

[Alvin Koh]

Update: 10 January 2011

Rocky Part II

Soaked the new rock in bleach solution (1:10 ratio to water) overnight and most of the algae is gone. Just to be safe, I tested the rock with household vinegar and it was inert.

The container I used to bleach the rock was pretty big and I was began to have doubts on whether I'd bitten off more than I could chew by buying such a huge rock relative to the dimensions of the tank.

To put my worries at rest, I tested the rock on the actual cabinet surface to get a feel of its proportion. At first, it seemed too large and quite awful looking. I tried different orientations to make it look 'smaller' & finally settled on laying it lengthwise - this may just work. Subconsciously, I kickstarted my first attempt at hardscaping.

With the main rock in place, the placement of smaller rocks took more experimentation and the process was quite enjoyable. I am glad that with more rocks on hand, it was easier to find ones that match the layout - the search for rocks was rather fruitful.

My final hardscape ended up looking somewhat like a weathered rocky sea shoreline - nothing like what I'd envisioned when I first started. I guess that's what makes aquascaping unpredictable. There are so many factors leading to the final scape.

Please feel free to comment and give suggestions to improve my hardscape and thank you in advance!

[Shadow]

your hardscape are quite well done, hard to believe this is your first attempt at hardscaping . Another talented aquascaper just surface

[eviltrain]

You still have time to mess around with your hardscape before you place them in your tank. But if you along the way wants to go back to one of the scape layout, its very difficult to get back the same identical layout like before. Next you will be going to worry about the placement of rocks on the soil.for my scape, i actually added some lava rocks at the back to give my main rocks a "higher " ground. For your tank size, you can easily get some egg crates and cable tie to boost the height. Enjoy your journal alot.

[limz_777]

now then can see the sheer size of the main rock , guess the layout pics explains it all

[Alvin Koh]

your hardscape are quite well done, hard to believe this is your first attempt at hardscaping . Another talented aquascaper just surface

Shadow, thanks for your compliment - it made my day! ( also)

You still have time to mess around with your hardscape before you place them in your tank. But if you along the way wants to go back to one of the scape layout, its very difficult to get back the same identical layout like before. Next you will be going to worry about the placement of rocks on the soil.for my scape, i actually added some lava rocks at the back to give my main rocks a "higher " ground. For your tank size, you can easily get some egg crates and cable tie to boost the height. Enjoy your journal alot.

I took the pics to hope to capture the layout, hoping to replicate once the tank comes in. It's indeed going to be tricky to retain the exact look after different placement. I have prepared 4kg of medium sized lava rocks as substrate fillers and anchors.

I thought that egg crates were used more for glass base protection, but your prompt to use it as a structural foundation is making me rethink. I bought cork sheets as base protection and thought the lava rocks would fulfil the role of divider. Will consider getting a sheet just in case.

now then can see the sheer size of the main rock , guess the layout pics explains it all

Indeed, I think my rock scape may become mountain scape anytime if I'm not careful!

[Shadow]

don't worry about it, rock scape and mountain scape are the same. Don't constrain your self to certain style, just let your imagination running wild

[eviltrain]

I took the pics to hope to capture the layout, hoping to replicate once the tank comes in. It's indeed going to be tricky to retain the exact look after different placement. I have prepared 4kg of medium sized lava rocks as substrate fillers and anchors.

I thought that egg crates were used more for glass base protection, but your prompt to use it as a structural foundation is making me rethink. I bought cork sheets as base protection and thought the lava rocks would fulfil the role of divider. Will consider getting a sheet just in case.

because from what i think, if you just place the main rock over the soil, the soil will be crush by the weight in later part and your main rock might actually sink down. Using egg crate will helps to spread out the sheer weight of the main rock and keep it in place.

the follow image might be able help you visualize what i'm talking about. the blue is the egg crate and the black is your tank.

[Alvin Koh]

because from what i think, if you just place the main rock over the soil, the soil will be crush by the weight in later part and your main rock might actually sink down. Using egg crate will helps to spread out the sheer weight of the main rock and keep it in place.

eviltrain, thank you for the excellent diagram, it's very clear. I will head down to the LFS to get the crates & maybe Daiso to get some document trays for elevation. the unused medium-sized rocks I have may also come in handy to be burried.

[eviltrain]

i think the egg crate will distribute the weight much better than the document trays from Daiso. Just get a huge piece or two black egg crate and cut them to your desired shape will do. 1 thing to take note. the egg crate at the base should not be cable tied just in case if the cable tie press directly on the bottom glass and create a pressure point.

-happy shopping-

[barmby]

Excellent!

[blue33]

i feel too soft, no impact, looks like welcome hand to me. just my 0.02cts view.

[melvin0202]

looking forward to the completed project

[Alvin Koh]

i feel too soft, no impact, looks like welcome hand to me. just my 0.02cts view.

Adrian, thanks for the perspective!

I am personally drawn towards the texture of the stones, crevices and cracks/crumbles, and failed to notice the mundaneness that you highlighted in the wider/overall impression.

I can understand the lack of impact, and If I may illustrate this point - I've attached a smaller photo so that the focus shifts to the entire scene. It does change my own impression of the scape and feel something's amiss.



I can also somewhat begin to forsee the twin peaks looking quite plain after the foreground plant has covered the base (i.e. covering the bottom 1/3).

To move forward and try to mitigate this issue:

- Attempt more rock formations.
- Use appropriate slopes for the terrain to change the overall impression.
- Flora selection. I am leaning towards as few small & short species as possible so the texture of the rocks is not distracted from. I really hope to achieve a wide open lawn thus the glaring space in the middle. Hehehe!

Let me see if I can come back with a better scape!

i think the egg crate will distribute the weight much better than the document trays from Daiso. 1 thing to take note. the egg crate at the base should not be cable tied just in case if the cable tie press directly on the bottom glass and create a pressure point.

I went down to C328 and bought 2 large black sheets & thanks for the tip on the cable tie. As for the document trays, I had intended to use them inverted & supported by rocks beneath but it may not be the most effective method - I need an Eureka moment.

[eviltrain]

I think few plates of egg crate stack on top of each other will distribute the weight better then the inverted document trays.
Hc will be a good choice for your foreground ( more popular for rock scapes ). Small leaves and able to keep low. Remeber to use fine soil for the top so the roots will be able to root better.
Just me 1/2 cent.

I like your new avatar. Can imagine the feeling after doing that.

[vinz]

The lack of impact is because the lines of the big rock is drawing the focus towards the left hand top corner. Similarly, the smaller mass on the right is drawing our eyes to the top right. There is a tug of war for focus to the top left and right corners. The middle just becomes a big gaping hole.

Consider swapping the positions of the two masses so that the smaller mass brings the eyes towards the big rock. I also feel the scape right now lacks the golden ratio. The centre of the big mass should be at the 2/5 point of the scape.

Also, on a flat surface, your rocks can only stand in certain angles. You need to place them in the tank with substrate. That will allow you some variance over the angles of the placement.

I got a feeling that quite a few of us are now keen to come to your house and play with your rocks. :-p

[Alvin Koh]

The lack of impact is because the lines of the big rock is drawing the focus towards the left hand top corner. Similarly, the smaller mass on the right is drawing our eyes to the top right. There is a tug of war for focus to the top left and right corners. The middle just becomes a big gaping hole.

Consider swapping the positions of the two masses so that the smaller mass brings the eyes towards the big rock. I also feel the scape right now lacks the golden ratio. The centre of the big mass should be at the 2/5 point of the scape.

Also, on a flat surface, your rocks can only stand in certain angles. You need to place them in the tank with substrate. That will allow you some variance over the angles of the placement.

Vincent, thanks for the elaboration.

Reason for using the temporary surface is due to lack of tank at the moment (Update: Just confirmed that tank is here and I should get it next week. Woot!).

I can identify the golden ratio to be similiar to the 1/3 ratio of photography and may shift the main rock so the cluster is tighter.

Sadly, my eye is not yet tuned to be conscious of the way to draw the viewer's attention. I felt it may be deterimental to resist scrutinizing other scapes during this period - in case I end up imitating. It's certainly a learning process!

I've done up photochop of the swap of rock clusters. It's based on the original pic so there's not much to simulate with (in the office). Please comment freely.

I got a feeling that quite a few of us are now keen to come to your house and play with your rocks. :-p

The rocks are all mine!!!!

I am looking forward to having the actual tank with soil so that there's an extra dimension to work with.

[blue33]

Without the soil sometime you cant tilt the angle of the rock to get the correct angle and show the ugliest part(ugliest means the most outstanding), try to forget about golden ratio thing, most people are tie down by this and cannot advance further. The most orthodox position will show the best result. Currently you lack of 2nd supporting rocks beside the main rocks and some supporting rocks, your current right rock can only be supporting rocks(child). These are the rocks you need, Daddy rock(main rock), Mommy rock(2nd support rock), and child rock(supporting rock, about 2-3).

After adjusting the rocks, take some photo and view it on the computer, human eye can fool us into looking nice but not the computer screen, cos is 3D flatten into 21/2 or 2D.

Just my 0.02cts view.

[solidvenom]

wow that's look expensive.

[barmby]

blue33, good feedback!

[blue33]

Barmby - wow very long time me never talk so much "liao". lol