Need advise on what's missing?

[grey_fox]

Hi all,

This is my 5 x 2 x 2 feet tank. I've gotten TONS of help & advise from all you helpful folks at AQ. I've done a major rescape once only and feel that there are areas which I can improve. I am not looking to do another major rescape, probably additions of flora or decors (rocks) nothing too drastic of course. Also do would a pair of discus be suitable for the layout I have done? I am thinking of purchasing 2 or juvenile discus to compliment the tank once it matures further.

Once again my gratitude to one and all for all the assistance and advise or comments given.

From this.



To this

[|squee|]

Need a full frontal shot!

[grey_fox]

okok, will post the front (nude) shot tonight when I am home. Looks like I gotta lie down on the dining table again to take the shot hehe.

[armani]

wow!!! your current tank looks much more professional!!! very well done!!!

[grey_fox]

wow!!! your current tank looks much more professional!!! very well done!!!

Hey bro, thanks. But still think something is amiss?

[Fei Miao]

The rescaped tank opens up spaces, yes a few discus would be great, however my perference would be altums. Some pieces of nice branchy driftwoods would be nice. Continue to work on it, with time the tank will mature nicely so don't worry too much for now.

[sheng]

what missing in there is "Apisto"

[ranmasatome]

i cant really tell anything from those shots.. everything is distorted and hard to place. Take a front shot. eaiser that way.

[grey_fox]

Hello all,

This is the front view.

[ranmasatome]

did you tone down the lighting in the picutre?? cos it looks a little dark on my screen..

Anyway.. i feel the tank lacks flow.. there are chunks of areas that catch your attention followed by nothing inbetween.. then attention then nothing.. it reapeats throughout when you sweep from left to right.. and this can becomes unsoothing.. so when i look at it.. its like something is not right..

perhaps that is what that makes me not able to relax when i look at it..

[richietay]

whats your tank temperature?! will discus tolerate in cool water if so?!
by the way, your tank looks terrific, nice setup

[grey_fox]

did you tone down the lighting in the picutre?? cos it looks a little dark on my screen..

Anyway.. i feel the tank lacks flow.. there are chunks of areas that catch your attention followed by nothing inbetween.. then attention then nothing.. it reapeats throughout when you sweep from left to right.. and this can becomes unsoothing.. so when i look at it.. its like something is not right..

perhaps that is what that makes me not able to relax when i look at it..

Hey ranmasatome,

Thanks for the critique, appreciate it. Yes, I did tone the lightings and gamma down so the picture won't end up looking white. I believe you're roughly referring to the right side of the tank? In my perspective, I feel that the right side looks 'empty'.

Any feedback or recommendations on what I can do to the right side of the tank? Not looking for a total overhaul, probably maybe some more additions to please the eye?

Once again, appreciate the feedback or any comment that shall be given

[grey_fox]

whats your tank temperature?! will discus tolerate in cool water if so?!
by the way, your tank looks terrific, nice setup

Hey richie,

Thanks for the compliment appreciate it. My tank's temperature fluctuates from 27.6 - 29.0 degrees. I have a chiller (courtesy of Billy AKA Goondoo) which I have not hooked up yet

[richietay]

Can discus be kept in low temperature tank?!
tot their desired temperature around 29+

[grey_fox]

From what I know, they can live in a temperatures ranging of 25-30 degrees.

Which would suit the layout better, Altums or Discus? Both are equally challenging fauna I believe and addition to them would definitely be much later of course.

If I do get discus, I intend to keep brown, turquoise or heckels, prefer the original strain than the colorful ones.

[|squee|]

Can you see any hardscape in the tank in real life? From the picture, it seems that the hardscape is non-existant, so perhaps that's what's missing.

[soulfinder78]

i got 2 turqoirse discus and i dun mind giving them to u. Keep both of them in a 2 footer. they seems miserable. planing to get a good home for them. been with me for 2 years. but both female sometimes will fight

[grey_fox]

Hey soulfinder,

PMed you already.

[Davidd]

Hi grey fox,
I love the feeling of height created by the vallisneria (or is it sagittaria?)

I also agree that perhaps the hardscape is what is lacking.
In addition, there seems to be a gap between the mid-height rosette plants like the swordplant and the very short tennellus;
perhaps some intermediate foreground plant like E. quadricostus (sp?) or crypts covering the 'feet' of the swordplant in the centre, or in front of the right driftwood covered in java fern might bridge this gap.

If its your thing, you might vary the foreground of the tank or even break the straight line of the sand by having some thick stands of hairgrass or moss growing in mounds right against the front glass. This done, especially at the corners might help in the framing: the bright shape of the tank interior against the darkness around it would not just be a rectangle, but look more interesting. main problem: hard to clean the glass in front of these mounds.

Just my thoughts lah.

Davidd

[grey_fox]

Hey Davidd,

Thanks for your input.

That's Vallisneria natans at the back.

The only hardscapes I have are 2 rather large driftwoods. I have intermediate plants inbetween the sword & tenellus, its actually hairgrass. perhaps the photo is a tad too dark yah.

Will try to tidy up the photo and brighten things up. Again thank you for your input, truly appreciate it.