"Dutch something or the other" 120 Gal

[Plantbrain]

Well, I just did not like the general feel of the ADA like minimalist display prior, so I tore the entire thing down.

Here, I wanted to add lots of color, contrast, display the nice Manzy wood I have, make it a lot of stem plant and pruning type of tank(yes, work:icon_roll), but somewhat manageable still.

I have enough plants to fill it, but I'll remove some plants on the sides(Erios and Compact the Crypt parva down some, I have a few small divider pieces of Manzy wood I'll add this week to make a better dividing line for some of the groups.

I'll change the groups of plants around till I'm happy(often a long process), to achieve the best contrast based more on Dutch rules, rather than ADA aesthetics. Right now it's fairly simple red green red green layout, and less textured contrast. Most of these species are easy to sell also, so they are good "crop plants", 500 or more of the fire cherry shrimp makes it a good shrimp factory.

I have an ADA style tank and my 180 is somewhat loosely based on ADA style, A reef and a Rift cichlid tank. I want a nice style and method for each tank that is different, not all planted tanks with one style.

Tank is not that old after complete tear down, maybe 4 weeks or less.











A couple of weeks later:







Gots lots of work still to do yet.

Stems in the rear are growing well and a few good trims later, the tank will look nice, I'll be moving a few groups around etc as I see fit. After nice contrast that feel good and color matches etc.

[globali]

Very clean layout, very interesting set up
of the driftwood that reflects delicate power.

[Plantbrain]

then a heavy trim:

[diazman]

nice tank, and a huge driftwood there! :Grin:

[wongce]

really nice & natural... btw, are you going to try to have a new tank with the BIG DW at the corner of the room?

[barmby]

Cool....... How do you make red plant flourish : )

[Jovel]

Nice scape and great looking plants! hmmm, it seems that the water is still a little cloudy.. or my eyes are failing haha.. I suppose you took the photos after maintaining your plants maybe you stirred up the soil alittle? and may I ask whats that bracket like thing on the right side of the tank?

[tiongleong]

Very nice and colourful tank.

[equidorz]

Nicely done, will be a great dutch scape when it matures. Anyway are the red plants aquatic? Also notice you have a very very very big driftwood on the right. setting up a bigger scape?

[Plantbrain]

This is a Gloss trim, then you can see the recovery 1 week later:



Recovery:





I'm still a few things short of where I want to be with the plant groups and layout, but as I change it, I'm getting closer. I'm fine with this group but just need to fill in some more species and those will arrive this week or so. Then it's good care and trim timing for the rear plants.

[BFG]

Something different other than the usual zen aquascape. Keep up the good work!

[Plantbrain]

Well, the style in the aquarium trade I think has been around longer...........but it is not as promoted as much as nature style.
So I took a "left" when everyone else was going "right".

[barmby]

I like the downoi!!

[Plantbrain]

I like the downoi!!

It's a good seller and easy to deal with.
I like plants like that!

[kakaz]

WOW nice tank! Lot of colors and I must say departure from the trend. After a long time we see a different effort from planted guru !

Will eagrly wait for the tank to come in full bloom.

Regards
Kakaz

[benjidog]

You are the NEW STYLE GURU!

Your play of colours and jaxaposition of red green layers, bespokes an artistic touch par excellence.

Wow, wow and wow, to your beautiful waterscapes.

Thank you for posting your threads on this forum!
You are a special VIP member.

[barmby]

Plantbrain is known in this part of the world as a planted aristocrat... don't think he is a guru : )

[aquarius]

Another great looking tank from Plantbrain.... It's been a pleasure to see your tanks. Thanks for taking your precious time to share with us your inspiring work.

[Plantbrain]

I've got some stuff crammed in while they recover and moved some things around to see and explore what works nice and looks good in certain spots, scape wise, this is lousy.........but it can be recovered easily and phased in/out.

Background plants have done well and are fairly stable in the groupings I want.
I need some more work on the front right, I have 2-3 pieces of wood that will make the border look better between the Fissidens and the C parva and the Erios. I'll trim the UG back and leave some open space there also.

Right side has some more grow out to do for the pantanal/Tonina and I'm undecided on Downoi, it's a nice plant though.. so it's hard to consider removing it.
I'll go through and make more distinction between the groups later on, that's a final trim and rework prior to a prime photoshoot.
Or.........if I just feel like doing it regardless of the status of the group/s.

I'm still playing around with various bulb configurations.

[stormhawk]

What's that contraption on the right side of the tank?