First attempt at aquascaping....low tech 1.5feet

[hiisoka]

Hi everyone

This is my first try at aqua scaping.
Objective is to replicate some sort of "rock scape" with few plants
(something along the line of a rocky cliff with few greens).





Flora: Beginner plants like windelov's fern on driftwood
and java moss on driftwood

Fauna: 10 cardinal tetras
(looking to add in a small colony of corydoras habrosus)


Tried to create a focal point in the middle of the tank ,
with the sand sloping up towards the back, which is helped by the
outflow of the filter (eheim 2213)


but i find the flow a little too strong for my liking, (the tetras seem to be struggling against the strong current created by the outflow and the sand from the front keeps
getting blown backwards )

I need something to regulate the flow, so probably i'll add a single tap valve
to the outflow end of my canister filter?? Or maybe i should change the spray bar
to a lily pipe? Or are there anyway other ways to reduce the strong current?

Hope the bros/sis here can advise,

Thanks!

[Shadow]

That is nicely done for first attempt.

[wongce]

not bad for a newbie..

Both lily pipe and rain bar can be used to spread/lower the flow... lily pipe is nice but expensive, rain bar cheap but not as nice as as lily pipe...hehe

[sateman]

Promising...how about adding some dwaft hairgrass here and there around the rocks. Well done!

[benjidog]

Good attempt! I can see your rocks cape / mountains rising out of the plains...

For a more natural feel/look, how about scattering a few small pieces of "rocks" around the main "mountain" so that it does not look so "volcano" like.

A cheap "not so pro" temporary alternative to lily pipe or rain pipe, place a plastic worm feeder "cheap plastic thingy" to deflect the flow (the type people use to feed live tubiflex worms"
The conicial shape and small holes helps to break up the flow.

Once your budget allows, you can change to lily pipe. Lily pipe/rain bar still more pro looking.

[hiisoka]

thanks everyone for the comments and advice!
will keep them in mind when i setup my next nano tank
or make changes to this tank.

i managed to reduce the current significantly by facing the outlet of the
rain bar to the back of the tank, creates quite abit of surface agitation too