First attempt on Iwagumi wannabe in 60x30x36

[Ingen]

Hi All,

Finally got about starting my 2ft tank after considering all the suggestions provided by members here. Thanks alot

Tank: 60cm x 30cm x 36cm
Filter: Eheim 2215 with seachem matrix
Lighting: Green Element Evo for planted tank

Tried to do a "The Hear of Paradise" inspired scape but realized I gotten too little rocks and 60cm do not have the scape to do it haha (too ambitious). Went with a more simple and less technique demand scape haha.

Below are pictures of the current arrangement. Your advice is much appreciated and pardon for the lousy picture quality, not good at photography.

1. Will put a full black background:



2. Close Up:


3. I placed small lava rocks around the slope and used marine grade very small holes mesh in an attempt to create "barrier" to prevent landslide (couldn't find plastic and these were left over).

Planning to grow HC and some elocharis mini at the base of the rocks, thought of chopping up some mini fissidens and place them on the rocks but not sure if its suitable.

I am worried the slope will flatten out, are there any thing else I can do?

[Shadow]

"The Hear of Paradise" is triangular scape, tall/heavy on the left and lighter/shorter on the right. Not difficult but you need much bigger and a lots more rocks. Iwagumi is more suitable with white background to emulate bright sky. In my opinion, you need more rocks at the right side.

[Ingen]

I should use white instead of black background? Will I be creating another focus point by adding more rocks to the right?

[kohanson]

For the rocks on the left side, I feel that they should be shifted as the placement of the stones look symmetric, especially the top front 3 stones. You could probably shift one of them back to create the natural look.

[Ingen]

I see, which one should move back, the one on the right beside the big one? If so, do I need to replace another small one there or leave the space as it is?

[limz_777]

heart of paradise from may kwan ?

[Ingen]

heart of paradise from may kwan ?

This one, http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2011/show127.html

Shadow, when you said right, do you mean the front right or the back right?

[kohanson]

I see, which one should move back, the one on the right beside the big one? If so, do I need to replace another small one there or leave the space as it is?

You can move either one on the left or right a few centimetres back. I also noticed your front row has 4 small rocks lined up within the same depth of field. By shifting them a few centimeters back will make them look more random.

[erwinx]

I am worried the slope will flatten out, are there any thing else I can do?

I'm also wondering about this as I'm also interested in a 'steep slope' sort of aquascape. How to prevent the slope from flattening out? I've seen some setup videos where they use a black sort of plastic barrier/wall thingy.... where we get this from?

http://www.thegreenmachineonline.com...trate-supports

[Ingen]

You can move either one on the left or right a few centimetres back. I also noticed your front row has 4 small rocks lined up within the same depth of field. By shifting them a few centimeters back will make them look more random.

I get what you mean, made some adjustments:

1.



2.


3.

[Ingen]

Cant move the three much as they are quite thick, unless i move the whole slope back

[kohanson]

Yah, looks more natural this way. Nice! Probably, the slope at the back you might want to make it higher as it will create a sense of depth unless you have tall plants behind.

[Ingen]

Yah, looks more natural this way. Nice! Probably, the slope at the back you might want to make it higher as it will create a sense of depth unless you have tall plants behind.

Which version nicer? For the back slope, you mean the one with the small rocks? Should it be as high as the front to enhance the sense of depth, that's very much the purpose of putting them there?

[kohanson]

Which version nicer? For the back slope, you mean the one with the small rocks? Should it be as high as the front to enhance the sense of depth, that's very much the purpose of putting them there?

I prefer the 2nd one. For the back slope, I am refering to the background as it is sloping downwards into the back if you view from the front. In this way, if you put low lying carpet plants like glosso, hc, etc, you will not be able to see them. You can take a look at this page for more tips http://aquariuminfo.org/aquascaping.html .

[Ingen]

I see, should I get it to level or higher than the front slope? I'm thinking slightly higher, but I wonder if the slope will last haha.

[marle]

Wow! Love your hardscape! Just feel the centre piece stone might be good if its bigger?

[changyao]

very nice, will be looking forward to the new update of your tank.

[Ingen]

Wow! Love your hardscape! Just feel the centre piece stone might be good if its bigger?

Now that you mentioned it, I have the same feeling. This is the biggest piece I have, may need to visit Green Chapter to source for the one. Perhaps I will use this for now till I see one that I really like and fit well with the rest.

Thanks for the kind word Changyao.

[Shadow]

I should use white instead of black background? Will I be creating another focus point by adding more rocks to the right?

Yes white background unless you plant to have red color plant which more striking in black background. Adding rock will not create another focus as long as it is not too big and overwhelmed your focus point.

[Ingen]

Shadow, what's your thought on frosted background? Was doing some reading online an most said white or frosted for the illuminated effect.