Low tech setup - all comments welcome

[Happy Camper]

New setup started a few weeks ago. 3ft tank, low light setup, no co2, weekly ferts added (K and Mgso4, traces), no water changes yet!

Flora includes:
Cryptocoryne Wendtii, brown and green,
Cryptocoryne Pontederifolia
Cryptocoryne Parva
Sagitaria Sabulata
Cladaphora moss balls
Microsorium Pteropus, Windelov and Long leaf
Bolbitis Heudeloti
Vesicularia Dubyana
Riccia Fluitans
Anubias Coffeefolia
Anubias Nana

Fauna includes:
White cloud mountain minnows
Lampeye Killifish
Clown Killifish
MTS and Neritina related snails
Chrystal Red Shrimp

Your comments are welcome. Thanks for looking.

Here's a full tank shot


Anubias and Java ferns


Cryptocoryne Pontederiifolia


Cryptocoryne wendti green


Kind Regards
Cameron James

[Rupert]

Hi Cameron ,

I reflection of the candle in the first picture caught my attention! My only suggestion would be to remove the few orphaned foreground plants, and move the one large leaved plant [Cryptocoryne Pontederiifolia?] on the left of the tank to behind the rocks.

This would leave a white plain with the rocks/wood forming the barrier, then as the moss tied spreads it will take the harshness of the transition away.

It is a very central arrangement with the wood in the middle, something is not quite right, eg with the wood on the right. When one covers up the right half of the picture the left looks pleasing, but when does it in reverse the wood it points upwards to much, possibly rotate them to both point it towards the top right corner?

Anyway my 2 cents worth... and look forward to more pictures. The shrimp look great!

[|squee|]

It needs much more plants at the back to fill it out and make it dense. The Java fern at the centre top might not be a good decision.

[Happy Camper]

Guys,

Excellent, thats the exact advice I'm looking for. Thanks for that. I have added more plants to the background over the weekend, a nice big Anubias Congensis, its a whopper, I've also added more Anubias and Java fern to the woodwork. I'll play around with your suggestions and post an update soonest. MANY THANKS guys, it is greatly appreciated

[celticfish]

neat trick! how did you keep the lighted candle in the tank?!!
i like the white substrate too.

[Happy Camper]

Thanks CelticFish

Alot of folks are not enjoying the white substrate, so it seems that you and I are the only ones with good taste

Thanks, Tsao

[Happy Camper]

Here's an update



Kind regards
Cameron

[the_r0ck]

I honestly like your hardscape. The wood is really nice.

But the choice of placing the windelov at the top branch seems to be a little sticking out of place.

[Happy Camper]

Thanks Rock

You think I should bring it down to ground level? Might just try that.
Thanks for your feedback, apreciated.

Regards
Cameron

[bay4215]

Wow nice refreshing tank mate!

First few pics I thought its an empty tank without water! Your water's sooo clear! Like the mood....I also gonna do a 3ft low-maint setup soon...heh, yours would be a good reference. Keep us updated!

[Happy Camper]

Thanks BAY

I must say that I'm really enjoying this tank alot. Low maintenance non-co2 is working well for me. Probably due to the fact that I'm a lazy bugger

Thanks for the kind words. Cheers mate

Regards
Cameron

[michael lai]

Hi Cameron,
I must say the tank is looking better by the day and looks like you're having fun doing it. I would also lose the windelov fern as it's kind of distracting but good job for a low tech.

[the_r0ck]

Hey Cameron,

Well, personally I am actually not a fan of windelov

But if I were you, I'd let it run along the edges in between the rocks and the wood to smooth out the transition. Nanas and windelovs placed around the openings and middle will help to develop a strong base.

Do keep us updated!!

[Happy Camper]

Hi Michael & The Rock

Michael: Yes I'm having fun with it, its really the first scape that I'm quite happy with. I will take yours and the Rocks advice and move the Windelovs more to a down to earth location Will post updates in a couple of weeks time.

Michael: You will be glad to hear that I'm taking a small expedition with a few other local hobbyists this weekend. Were off to a local fish breeder about 600km outside the city. I will be documenting the whole trip and would like to share it with AQ. Now you can see a bit of the South African countryside

Thanks for your feedback guys, as always, it is appreciated.

Cheers for now.

[michael lai]

That will be great Cameron, I love travelogues. Never seen africa before only on documentary. Would love to see the LFS scene over there, keep us posted.