Slope in scape

**Justikanz** · 11th Jan 2006, 10:59

Hi all...

I just had a last minute rescape and hate the results. Looks very messy and immediately had an idea to re-rescape...

But as CNY is really getting near, I think I will just let the current scape be as it is and let the plants grow nicer before 'operating' on them again after the CNY period.

Now, for the new scape in mind, I want to have a sloping effect. As I only have gravel similar to, or maybe it is, lapis sand, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to have a good slope. Thus I have some questions...

1) What can I add to the gravel to help it maintain the slope? I am thinking of quite a big slope... Something like what Kingfisher Aquarium had done for the showtank's new scape...

2) If I am to add some soil/substrate etc, how to go about doing it? I had heard horror stories of horribly cloudy water caused by certain substrates being disturbed by water...

3) Will it be detrimental to have a VERY thick substrate? Due to the intended slope, that part of the substrate will be VERY thick (very probably more than 6" thick)... Gentle slopes are not dramatic enough...

4) Would there be detrimental effects if I ever need to rescape after mixing substrates?

5) Is there any other way of achieving the sloping effect if the above fail?

Thanks in advance for the help...

**Fei Miao** · 11th Jan 2006, 11:10

IMO sinking some rocks of even DW(terracing) helps maintain the slope, having plants that have strong roots will help holding the slope in place.
As to having thick substrate and adding soil/gravel; lower the water during water-change would help, cloudy water normally will clear within a few days.

**Weirong** · 11th Jan 2006, 12:03

Place thick inert materials where you want the slope to be. Plastic materials, like tubs, will be good. Then just top up with lapis! Easily done!
No need for thick substrate lah... Waste $$$ and make the tank heavy....

**Justikanz** · 11th Jan 2006, 13:36

Won't the water in the tubs become anerobic after a while and might cause substrate problems later? Other materials that can sink would also make tank heavy leh...

Anyway, what kind of 'soil' should I use to mix with the lapis to create a slope that stays as a slope, even after some time?

Planning to have helferi as the plant of choice on the slope...

**Weirong** · 11th Jan 2006, 13:56

Originally Posted by Justikanz

Won't the water in the tubs become anerobic after a while and might cause substrate problems later? Other materials that can sink would also make tank heavy leh...

Anyway, what kind of 'soil' should I use to mix with the lapis to create a slope that stays as a slope, even after some time?

Planning to have helferi as the plant of choice on the slope...

No no no, turn the container over. Or if you are really afraid, get those "lock-n-lock" containers. Put some small stones to sink them and voila! Ready slopes!

Once you get this in place, any substrate can be used.

**Justikanz** · 11th Jan 2006, 14:04

Hmm... I still can't quite get it into my thick skull...

Won't that be as good as getting rocks to 'hold up the slope'? Also, that still does not answer the question of how to maintain the slope and prevent 'erosion'/levelling which will expose the ugly plastic...

But I quite get the idea of saving money on buying substrate material...

Thanks!

**Weirong** · 11th Jan 2006, 16:21

Hmm... Looks like a really thick skull to me.

Kidding!
Let me find time to do up a simple diagram. Then it should be clear.

**Justikanz** · 11th Jan 2006, 16:23

Yup, that's me...

Thanks for the help!

**|squee|** · 11th Jan 2006, 22:00

Slope the sand up as best as you can, and imho, try to have very little sand in the foreground. Imagine a sort of right angle triangle, literally.

**Justikanz** · 11th Jan 2006, 22:12

But is there a need to combine some soil like material with the sand to hold the slope? If so, can recommend what to use?

**|squee|** · 11th Jan 2006, 22:42

Um, I don't know but I've seen a picture where Amano has absurdly sloped sand. I admit, it's difficult to slope with Lapis sand.

**Phillipians** · 11th Jan 2006, 23:45

hi these are two pics of my newly done 1 ft cubes, features a little sloping of sand. I do that by using stones as a support to prevent them from slipping off

**Justikanz** · 12th Jan 2006, 00:22

Phillipians, what are you mixing as the substrate in the first tank?

**valice** · 12th Jan 2006, 00:26

Maybe you can try driftwood? Those straight, not very nice ones? And maybe try to work it into the overall scape? It might hold up some of the sand... But it would also not give you the slope effect, instead it would probably be a step effect...

**Phillipians** · 12th Jan 2006, 00:41

heh, sharp eyes therejustikanz, its lapis 'mount' with ada base or can say ada foreground

Best is to use some stones to support the slope you are creating, i tried without using stones..... with water they tend to wash down

**Phillipians** · 12th Jan 2006, 00:42

the pic was taken really fast, will get a better pic and post it tml for you to have a better look, i ll post as a new thread tml, meanwhile can see my 2 ft tankl and give comments as i hope to improve my tank

**Thor** · 12th Jan 2006, 15:52

Probably using slates for multiple level terracing would hold the steep slope that you need. Have some pictures in my home PC. Let me upload later evening. Not sure which LFS sells plastic slates or rock slates.

**Thor** · 13th Jan 2006, 00:46

Slate wall pics

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