Lousy crypt scape

[Justikanz]

This is one of my worst creations ... Not that my previous were good...

But I think this is really bad... Now waiting for the crypts to grow better and hopefully, straighten their legs and grow new shoots to cover their bare legs...

Then after CNY will create a slope behind the wood on the left hind corner and lift up the wood and some crypts as well as the Cyperus helferi. Might then sell some crypts, including the beautiful Cryptocoryne balansae. Will plant a small stalk of Echinodoras uruguayensis on the right corner this weekend... The smaller pieces of wood will be hidden among the crypts later and the bare ground hopefully be covered by the Marsilea quadrifolia and Echinodoras tenellus...

[michael lai]

Not that bad lah, Thomas. You should look at mine

[Justikanz]

Thanks, Mike... I sure hope the crypts will grow well and dun look so 'leggy' and 'messy haired'...

Oh, in case anyone is interested, the crypts involved are, Cryptocoryne balanase, Cryptocoryne becketii, Cryptocoryne petchii, Cryptocoryne wendtii brown, Cryptocoryne wendtii green, Cryptocoryne willisi and Cryptocoryne parva...

[benetay]

Is this a south american biotope setup for little critters like apistogramma? with more wood and hiding space it'll surely be a good place to be in.. Imagine i can play around the crypt and play hide and seek with other fishes..

[StanChung]

haha i think that's why slow tanks get more points from expert judges because it takes time for them to 'straighten' out. just be patient. i can see the potential...

[Justikanz]

I am thinking of adding more wood when I do the slope... Then will most likely add discus...

Would it be ok to add some nanas on the wood?

Also, I have a clump of Java fern... Dunno where to place it in the tank... Any suggestions? I have weeping moss on the wood now...

[valice]

Mixing java fern, nanas and moss on the wood would give the scape a nice wild feeling... Get the some nanas or petite if you can find them...

[|squee|]

It looks bad probably because of how the crypts are. Give it time, I'm sure you'll have a nice scape once plants take off and form rosettes.

[benny]

You guys do not know the meaning of messy scape till you see my 5 ft "tank of doom" scape.

Cheers,

[Justikanz]

Also, I have a clump of Java fern... Dunno where to place it in the tank... Any suggestions? I have weeping moss on the wood now...

Oops!! I actually meant to say Java moss! Can anyone suggest where to place Java moss in this scape? Doesn't seem to belong anywhere...

Benny, you 'tank of doom' is more like a plant warehouse, waiting for harvesting... Heh heh...

[checkerboard]

Give the crypts some time. Once they settle in and grow nice and dense, it will turn out just fine. All crypts will rot to a certain extent newly planted. They will straighten in a while, once they align themselves with the light.

Root monsters really accelerate their growth from my experience. I think the basic layout of your tank is fine and nice.

[StanChung]

hi thomas,

when planting crypts, narrow leaf jf and bolbitis you have to have the patience of a saint.
i have c tokinensis that after 6 months now have 4 leaves...
bolbitis one leaf a month.
c parva is also at that rate...

now i want to scream at my fissiden. HURRY @#$! UP! grow already!
C bullosa and C keei no better. ARRGH!

[Justikanz]

Thanks for the comments... I'll post another pic once the tenellus got planted on the right side... But still dunno what to do with the Java moss...

Oh, how do tie the nanas with the wood already in place and the crypts planted around wood? I've bought some nanas and I want to tie them onto the wood...

[StanChung]

i suggest you clear the front area[about 4 inch] and tie your jm to strips of glass ~3"x6" to create lawn. will look nice. this will cover the base of your crypts and other plants. the nanas can go behind this moss lawn.

[valice]

Oh, how do tie the nanas with the wood already in place and the crypts planted around wood? I've bought some nanas and I want to tie them onto the wood...

If you don't mind the ugliness, use those very small wire tie from hardware shop and tie the nana's to the wood...

When the roots take hold, you can cut away the ties... Then don't need to take the whole piece of wood out...

[|squee|]

Oh yes, I see it now. The driftwood should be moved... too extreme left unless you're thinking of driftwood on the right too.

[Justikanz]

Stan, I think I will forgo the Java moss... Too much work... Or just leave some moss (or maybe Taiwan moss) among the crypts?...

Terence, move the wood more towards the center? Then would need to shift some of the crypts from the right to the left liao...

Vincent, thanks... Will look for the ties... better than nothing... But if need to move the wood, then can tie the nanas at the same time...

Would it be better to trim off the roots of the nanas?

Btw, I have a bunch of rotala, think its either indica or rotundifolia, floating. Anyone here wants it? PM or SMS me... Waste to throw away...

Another question, would it be better to plant the balansae towards the left corner and re-plant the Cyperus helferi nearer the right, where the crypts end? There is a Echinodoras uruguayensis at the right corner now... Or plant the helferi behind the uruguayensis to create another corner, leaving the center with tenellus and Marsilea?...

[StanChung]

hi thomas,

hmmm if you plan to do all that you should think about using the e uruguayensis as the main plant and all the crypts and nanas below it. e uruguayensis grows big...otherwise forgo it. for bg think about using more c balansae and then blend some Cyperus helferi in.
looking at it closely i think you are planting your crypts to spaced out. planting them in groups looks nicer. [i know you and me hope they will spread out in time haha. can you wait 4-6 months? i really try not to look when the die off occurs when first planted] too distressing.

i think the wood placement needs to create flow with its branches around the aq. it looks really nice and gnarly but it seems very disquieting as it's not pointing anywhere or doing anything in particular. try to create space by using it to create a cave or arch underneath it. then move it to a pleasing golden section area which is off centre. the rule of thirds is simple and works.
and if after spending after more than 30 minutes placing the wood and you still can't get a nice angle i suggest you either consider sawing it in places or get new piece. this is really important as the wood is the base that will create space.

another thing is i may be imposing my taste on you but marsilea doesn't really match the wood the you have. ha ha. let me explain. i divide the plants into three categories. masculine, feminine and neutral. that explains itself i hope...haha
so the nanas[hg, mosses+most echinodorus] to me are neutral, marsilea[+HM, MM, hydrocotyle and most stem plants etc] are feminine and crypts[+bolbitis, ferns] are masculine looking.[ps lotus are bisexuals!]

ok have fun... hope i didn't screw your mind too much...muahaha!

[Justikanz]

Stan, I had to plant the crypts in front spaced out as their shape had been distorted by me floating them for several days. If I cramp them, I might snap the leaves... Maybe I can tighten them when I move the wood as suggested towards the right-center...

Think I will also go with your idea of re-planting the balansae tighter towards the left with the helferi as in-betweens to thicken the background...

I'll retain the Marsilea... Really like them... ... And plant tenellus around them. Hope it will help them blend in...

As I am rather interested in the uruguayensis, I wil keep it for the moment and see if I am happy peeling the older leaves to keep it small...

I actually have a small Echinodoras x ruben that had been in the tank for years near the uruguayensis...

Thanks... Keep the comments coming...

[StanChung]

hmmm...you are going to have a hard time getting rid of e tennelus when it takes over the tank cos when you rip it, the whole topsoil comes off with it...and your precious marsiliea ha. better to fill up foreground with marsiliea only...your choice...
the front may need something shorter than the marsiliea. can't think of anything other than moss glosso or hc...the latter two will bring it's own set of problems. dunno lah. can you get c tokinensis? nice crypt but sooo slowwww. 5 leaves in 6 months. anybody got tips to make this grow faster please?