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Although the idea given so far sounds okay to me, there seem to be another easier (or not) way to do it.

Well, have a look at this page where you'll see a tank that is made to look as if some of the plants are just hanging in there. There are also pictures of how the tank evolved from its second day, so it might help you understanding exactly how it's done.

I must admit that i admire his tanks. I think they are much nicer than the Amano tanks, which look very sterile to me.

Yeah Stormy, you hit the nail on the head with this one!

I specifically love the fact that the slats on the front and bottom will allow some moss and grassy plants to dangle and give me the exact look I was looking for...

So a huge THANKS again and I will post pictures when it is all said and done!

Last edited by manborg at 04-May-2005 14:31

That is EXACTLY what I had in mind! It looks almost exactly like the ones I used to make! Good luck with it! I am feeling rather proud of my creative thought now. LOL!

Thats something i would like to try out too
Keep us informed
When you ge the plants and everything is set up..please post some pictures.

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

To be honest, it wasn't what I had in mind to begin with either, but when I saw it I was completely jazzed. My original plan was more of a flat soap dish (definitely not pink though :%) ) idea that, stacked one after another, would look like a shelf. I think this spong holder may work out better than I had imagined...

I will definitely let you know what happens...if only those darn plants I ordered would show up!!!

Last edited by manborg at 04-May-2005 11:40

That looks a lot better then I thought ! For some reason I had a picture of a pink soap dish in my mind

That might actually work if the suction is strong enough.

Definately want to see how this turns out.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

So here is a picture of the holder I bought at Bed Bath and Beyond...

Hopefully it will be strong enough, otherwise I will have to find something to support it. I have a good feeling about it and will post pictures if and when it works.

Thanks again.


manborg attached this image:

Let's hope the suction cups are stong enough to hold the weight of the container full of stones and a sword
Let us know if it works out.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Congrats!!!

Remember the pics, and also remember if it works out to slap it in FYI section


Angel Eel

So I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and picked up a sponge holder/soap dishes and it is going to work out even better than I had imagined. It is clear plastic that is 6 inches long, three inches wide, three inches tall and suction cups to the wall of the tank. The best part is that it has little square holes all around the outside, that are small enough to hold gravel and big enough to have moss, or grasses growing through. The basket itself is also big enough that I could put a larger plant, like a sword, in it as well... I am certain that it will look great and am excited!

I will have pictures as soon as my plants arrive. Tomorrow I will post a picture of the containers for you as well.

Thanks everyone!



Last edited by manborg at 02-May-2005 12:06

Personally, I'm not as big of a fan of his other scapes as I am of his AGA entry. That tank was awesome.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 01-May-2005 21:59

I am trying to figure out a way to attach something like a series of shelves to the back wall of my fish tank, so that I could plant plants on different levels and create a type of hanging garden look.

Does anyone have any ideas on what kind of materials I could use?

The main problem is that the tank is already established, but this is something I would like to try and figure out anyway. I have though that suction cupping shelves to the wall, but don't know where to buy such a product and if it would support a small layer of substrate and plants...

Any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks!

The point of the thin slots in it would be that you could use something like java moss to thread through it a little and before you know it, very natural. Plus, most of them are clear. Sadly, I know this because I worked for a short time in a factory making them. UGH! NOT FUN! I think it would be VERY easy to make it look more natural and part of the landscape. Good luck with it and I can not WAIT to see pics when it is done!

You could also create a styrofoam background. When making the background you can create pockets that can be used for planting. There's a couple of good posts in Technical Tinkering on how to go about building one , esopecially one from Dr. Bonke. You may have to go back abit to find them. The only disadvatage with this is you will have to empty the tank.

One of the problems with doing what you are trying to do is what plants to use. For example using Stormy's idea you need something that's going to hide the fact that you are using soap dishes and that will actually grow in them. This won't be easy and if not done correctly will just look like a tank full of soap dishes ! (nonetheless it's an ingenious idea if you can make it work - I also may be incorrectly assumimg you want a natural look. Personally I would have a problem with any visisble plastic in the tank, but some may not be as uptight about planted tanks as me )

Also using item stuck to the back of the tank will give a very flat look - they'll be different heights ok, but will have little or no depth.

Really the best way to try to achieve the the kind of look you are aiming for is to use natural hardscape such as wood and rock and plants of different heights and textures.
For example a tall piece of wood at the back with Java Fern or Anubias on the top section with a larger plant in front of the wood hiding it.The Anubias looks like it's growing in mid air and the plant hiding the wood creates depth. A tall plant in front of a smaller plant covering the bottom 2/3 of the tall plant gives the impression that one plant is sitting on a different height but again adds more depth.

Last edited by bensaf at 29-Apr-2005 22:53

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

This is a really good idea, I was thinking plexi glass with large suction cups (even small ones)

Along the lines of the soap holder, there are shower caddys that are larger that would look better IMO
Great idea!!

Keep an update for sure,
Angel Eel

OMG! Stormy you are a goddess That is an awesome idea! I am going to work on that this weekend...

I promise pictures when its finished.

And any other ideas out there are still welcome.


Last edited by manborg at 29-Apr-2005 18:55

Just a thought, but a lot of the plastic soap holders that suction to the wall in the shower should be PERFECT for your needs. Under water, suction cups hold very securely. Plus, most of the soap containers have thin slots, so it should work perfectly to not only hold the substrate, but to also plant to your heart's content. Most of them are nothing but acrylic/plastic, so they should be fine for inside your tank. If you do buy them and try it, I would soak them in hot water a few times to get any potential chemicals off of them from the plastic injection molding at the factory. Good luck with it, and get some pics! I think it will be EXACTLY what you are looking for!

Thanks for the idea chris. I may try that if I can't find or create something a little more flat and platform like.

not sure, but u can get a trap, like the lfs uses when they put the fish in there, after netting it, in there u can hang it and put flowers in it.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3847&inm=1&N=2004+113766+113565

Last edited by bettachris at 29-Apr-2005 16:32

It is a 39 gallon tall tank. It has flat glass sides and the Eclipse hood.