A spartan scape

**the_r0ck** · 19th Sep 2006, 20:21

Hi, this is an old tank (around 1.5ft) I've been keeping, tearing this tank down soon so thought of posting it up.

Its my first attempt at posting my tank here so I will like to have some feedback on it. I know its rather plain but I will like frank opinions on my scaping so I can work on my shortcomings in my future scapes.

Tank specs:

Lights: 1 x 27w PL
CO2: 1bps
pH: 6.6
KH: 4
Fert Regime: KNO3, KH2PO4, Trace mix, Seachem Equilibrium
Flora: Hemianthus micranthemoides, Ludwigia arcuata , Eleocharis acicularis sp. Japan (?)

Thanks.

**richietay** · 19th Sep 2006, 21:42

Though simple, but very nice especially your HM. You planning a rescape??

would suggest postpone with tearing it down, continue and add in more plants, submit for ADA 07.

**Splendid Warrior** · 19th Sep 2006, 22:13

Originally Posted by the_r0ck

Hi, this is an old tank (around 1.5ft) I've been keeping, tearing this tank down soon so thought of posting it up.

Its my first attempt at posting my tank here so I will like to have some feedback on it. I know its rather plain but I will like frank opinions on my scaping so I can work on my shortcomings in my future scapes.

Tank specs:

Lights: 1 x 27w PL
CO2: 1bps
pH: 6.6
KH: 4
Fert Regime: KNO3, KH2PO4, Trace mix, Seachem Equilibrium
Flora: Hemianthus micranthemoides, Ludwigia arcuata , Eleocharis acicularis sp. Japan (?)

Thanks.

Nice HMs. When you rescaping? If you're not using your HMs, can I buy them off you?

**Goondoo** · 20th Sep 2006, 00:23

Originally Posted by the_r0ck

Hi, this is an old tank (around 1.5ft) I've been keeping, tearing this tank down soon so thought of posting it up.

Its my first attempt at posting my tank here so I will like to have some feedback on it. I know its rather plain but I will like frank opinions on my scaping so I can work on my shortcomings in my future scapes.

Tank specs:

Lights: 1 x 27w PL
CO2: 1bps
pH: 6.6
KH: 4
Fert Regime: KNO3, KH2PO4, Trace mix, Seachem Equilibrium
Flora: Hemianthus micranthemoides, Ludwigia arcuata , Eleocharis acicularis sp. Japan (?)

Thanks.

Very healthy look. Too simple for my likely, lacking some curves and sweetness in the front.
The red stalk at the back looks odd too.

**the_r0ck** · 20th Sep 2006, 01:32

Thanks for the comments guys.

richietay: I wouldn't send this in for ADA... its really too amateurish, I have this tank just to fill in the gap when I get a proper 2 footer.

Spendid_Warrior: Sell you the HM? Ha.. When I do finally tear it down I think I will offer the HM up for grabs.

Goondoo, I agree its very simple, and the Ludiga arcuta has about at least 3 more stalks, but I accidentally trimmed it off.

The japanese hairgrass doesn't grow well after I pull some out to give to my friends. Kinda weird.

**V31** · 20th Sep 2006, 05:47

Hi,
very nice tank. I also used HM in my layout, almost the same way

Can I have a question? Is your HM green at all or only at its' tops?

**Fei Miao** · 20th Sep 2006, 10:40

Nice balance between the 2 groups.
I like simple tanks like this, and it's doing so well... I think it'll be pity if you tear it down> Remove the L. arcuta, add in moss in front of the HMs and replace the fish with small rasboras/boraras and the tank would look great!

**Justikanz** · 20th Sep 2006, 13:20

It actually is a VERY nice tank... Few people can withstand the temptations of adding more varieties of plants... It would be a pity to de-commission this setup... Just try another foreground plant and I think it would be great.

**SmallFish** · 20th Sep 2006, 14:56

Very nice, neat, and simple tank. Agree with what Fei Miao said about the faunas. The current ones look a tad too 'big' for the scape.
U could perhaps also remove that 'stone wall' on the middle left section (the big standing one), makes the left part looks a little like tombstone

, replace it with a small driftwood or cover up with some moss ?

**the_r0ck** · 20th Sep 2006, 16:52

V31: Erm, it is green all the way, didn't quite comprehend when you ask if it is only green at the top.

Ken and Justikanz: The fishes wasn't my idea, but I am getting rid of them soon

I wanted to have nana petites to fill the gap from the HM to the foreground, but it turned out bad and I ditched it. I will seriously considering the moss should I not tear it within this month.

SmallFish: I am a more rocks person (hence the nick

) and initially when I set it up I thought of covering all the rocks with stone, but decided against it as I felt I should try to have some hardscape showing. But thanks for the comments, I will see if I can work on the rock placements. Didn't know it can look a little like a tombstone

Anyway the Ludwiga arcuata was quite a failure, wanted a streak of it across the back but the plants just won't flourish much.

**V31** · 20th Sep 2006, 17:26

Originally Posted by the_r0ck

V31: Erm, it is green all the way, didn't quite comprehend when you ask if it is only green at the top.

yep, if it's green only at the top or if the whole stem is green with leaves. My HM is without leaves from approx. 6cm from the top because of its density.

**michael lai** · 20th Sep 2006, 17:32

I like your MM, maybe add some smaller rocks on the right and have some crypts there. I think it adds another dimension instead of it being 2D now. Anyway, my 2 cents. Got to praise you for your discipline though, I would have altered the scape long ago.

**RuiEstrelinha** · 21st Sep 2006, 06:34

Hi like it, thank you for sharing!

Best regards,

**kemp** · 27th Sep 2006, 11:06

really a pity to tear the tank down, certainly like the simple and clean design. Nice!

**the_r0ck** · 29th Sep 2006, 13:14

Thanks for the kind comments guys.

Just got the news that I won't be getting the chance of setting up a new tank within this year (no space

), so I think I will take the chance to spruce up the tank.

I am going to change the scape according to the main concensus here, I will ditch the red plant at the back, "push" the 2 main bunches of HM to the back a little and lay moss in between the hairgras and the HM. Perhaps I will add a few small stones to add character to the scape.

Oh, think I will change the fauna too, but then may I ask where to get them? The LFS I frequent don't usually stock the boraras. Remember there is one bright orange one, forgot the name though. Brigatte? (sp?)

Thank you all for the suggestions.

**troyz** · 30th Sep 2006, 12:46

Originally Posted by Fei Miao

Nice balance between the 2 groups.
I like simple tanks like this, and it's doing so well... I think it'll be pity if you tear it down> Remove the L. arcuta, add in moss in front of the HMs and replace the fish with small rasboras/boraras and the tank would look great!

HI , I agree with bro Feimiao, tanks like this are simple n unique....theres balance between the 2 groups...fantastic

**Spawnster** · 1st Oct 2006, 21:09

imho, i don't think it's too simple but just unique. i like the way you planted the flora on the rocks. very natural.

**kemp** · 2nd Oct 2006, 11:31

Keep us posted with the new layout.

Originally Posted by the_r0ck

Thanks for the kind comments guys.

Just got the news that I won't be getting the chance of setting up a new tank within this year (no space

), so I think I will take the chance to spruce up the tank.

I am going to change the scape according to the main concensus here, I will ditch the red plant at the back, "push" the 2 main bunches of HM to the back a little and lay moss in between the hairgras and the HM. Perhaps I will add a few small stones to add character to the scape.

Oh, think I will change the fauna too, but then may I ask where to get them? The LFS I frequent don't usually stock the boraras. Remember there is one bright orange one, forgot the name though. Brigatte? (sp?)

Thank you all for the suggestions.