My 1st rockscape (Need comments)

[williamng]

Hi all

This is my 1st rockscape. Yet to add plants. Intend to add E. Tennulus behind and Spiky moss in the front. Please give me some comments about the rock layout..Thanks!

[soulfinder78]

very nice rocks. they got nice texture and nice colours. But i feel that they are too flat and the arrangement seems to be like a straight line. Not much depth. Maybe you can play around with the positioning of the rock formation.

[williamng]

Hi Soulfinder78

Thanks! That is how I feel too..Other than the 2nd rock on the left, the rest looks rather flat. Any suggestion on how to make it feel deeper?

[soulfinder78]

i will say maybe you can try stacking them or find new rocks.

[valice]

You need much bigger pieces of rocks.
They are abit too small.

[williamng]

I guess this is better

[soulfinder78]

much better.. but maybe you can try to group them together. don't let them look so standalone. some put closer to the front others put further behind

[hebi]

the shape of the rocks are nice, especially the 2nd and last one, counting from left. maybe you can use either one as the main piece with 2 other rocks facing it or around it?

[williamng]

hmm..This is my next scape. Personally i think it looks better than the previous 2.

[Shadow]

why don't you group them all together?

[genes]

You need a big rock to create the focal point. And place the smaller rocks around and along the bigger rock it so that there is "flow" in the scape. Now it looks rather scattered.

[williamng]

Haha! This is really tough man. Well, maybe i continue tomorrow

[Shadow]

Google "Iwagumi" on the net and you should be able to get some inspiration from there

[hebi]

you can try this site. i think its in one the stickied thread and its a album full of takashi amano's work and some competition tanks. have been going to this for inspiration.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Virus31CZ

[ranmasatome]

First things first.... you need to create more of a slope in your gravel in order to induce the perception of depth..
Depth is not just dependant on the layout of the rocks... sure that is important.. but you need to lay a line for your horizon..and right now.. i feel that , that needs to be much higher.

[williamng]

Hi bro

Now my front is about 3-4cm thick and my back is about 8cm thick yet I agree with you on picture, it doesnt looks like a high slope. I intend to use that biggest rock as a focal point then small rocks surrounding it with the last rock in the top right corner. Will post a picture later tonight

[fireblade]

maybe can do a slop on one side ?
think this art really requires a lot of practise...

[o2bubble]

Bro, my comments is that you should decide first on the shape of the layout whether its concave or convex. Then make the slope of the soil to this shape. I think you need more soil (half a pack more I think) as well, looks abit thin in my opion to make slopes.

then, you need to get more rocks. One big rock as focus point and a slightly smaller one (85% of the size of largest one). the big one put on left and the slightly smaller on right. then you can start to arrange the rest of smaller pieces for iwagumi groups (each group consist of 3 rocks). Suggest you can refer the Style of ADA book 2006 for an idea of the layout from the step by step guide. Hope this helps you...

[williamng]

Well, i will try to scape higher. I have problem getting a larger rock. The largest I can find is the one I am using for my focal point..Well, I keep searching

[o2bubble]

Bro, not easy. I think you seen my thread... there a picture of my first tank on iwagumi layout. Spent a few weeks pratically searched all LFS for the rocks. Time, energy (searching and carrying back) and $$ spent on buying the rocks and only used 40% of the rocks bought finally. The rest has to sell at loss away. however, in the end still find the rocks a bit too small for my 4ft and has to revamp again.

Better to be patient and search for the rocks and layout and modify til you are 101% statisfied and sure before planting. Just a experience to share.