My first 2ft Aquascape. Comments Please

**tarzanboy** · 18th Oct 2009, 07:21

Hi,schwantzmay I know where you purchase the GEX soil and how much it look similar to ADA amazonia II do you still add in fertiliser and wash it before lay in the tank thank

**Wahlin** · 18th Oct 2009, 10:42

Originally Posted by aqua2525

The foreground plant that schwantz planted for the above tank is elatine triandra

Is the Elatine Triandra also commonly known as APP (Ah Pek Plant) ?

**KoiSG** · 18th Oct 2009, 14:53

Originally Posted by Wahlin

Is the Elatine Triandra also commonly known as APP (Ah Pek Plant) ?

Yes. APP is Elatine Triandra.

**schwantz** · 20th Oct 2009, 13:16

Some updates....

Change one of the T5 light from 10000K to 6500K.

Sulawasei shrimp still doing well.

pH is 6.2

Yamato Shrimp. I have an army of 20!

My bumblebee snail eats away at algae all day long.

After a trimming. My stem plants are a bit straggly though.

**StanChung** · 20th Oct 2009, 13:47

For stem plants, trim the tops to promote side shoots. Only then it will look thick and bushy. Trim at the level where it's hidden behind driftwood/stone or a midground plant.
That way cut stems are hidden.

**schwantz** · 20th Oct 2009, 14:11

Originally Posted by StanChung

For stem plants, trim the tops to promote side shoots. Only then it will look thick and bushy. Trim at the level where it's hidden behind driftwood/stone or a midground plant.
That way cut stems are hidden.

Thanks. Will try that out.

In your opinion, do you think my scape fulfills the golden ratio?

**tcy81** · 20th Oct 2009, 14:11

Originally Posted by StanChung

For stem plants, trim the tops to promote side shoots. Only then it will look thick and bushy. Trim at the level where it's hidden behind driftwood/stone or a midground plant.
That way cut stems are hidden.

learn something new today !

**blue33** · 4th Nov 2009, 17:24

Nice. You have scape well as a first timer.

**StanChung** · 4th Nov 2009, 19:29

Originally Posted by schwantz

Thanks. Will try that out.

In your opinion, do you think my scape fulfills the golden ratio?

I think it's fair on the golden ratio but that alone is not enough.

Achieving depth is next step.

Depth is a little shallow as your scape does not invite the viewer to look 'in'.
The straight pieces of wood are arranged on the same focal plane. Try to vary this to create depth. The popular choice is to arrange it with different thickness of wood pieces to trick the viewer's mind like in a vanishing perspective.
It could be a path or combination of plants/hardscape to achieve this.

**StanChung** · 4th Nov 2009, 19:31

Originally Posted by tcy81

learn something new today !

Aha- put it to good use then!

**nicklimzhiwe** · 5th Nov 2009, 00:49

Originally Posted by tarzanboy

Hi,schwantzmay I know where you purchase the GEX soil and how much it look similar to ADA amazonia II do you still add in fertiliser and wash it before lay in the tank thank

Yo.. I got my GEX soil, the dark green pack, 3 packs.. For price can PM me if you can.. Got mine from Y618.. How similar it looks like ADA soil I don't know, have not open it up yet as my tank from the 4ft tank maker is only arriving this Saturday.. From what I've heard, GEX soil does not have to be washed and can be placed in the tank directly.. Of course, if you're worried, you can always give it a quick rinse.. Cheers!