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Ok so I have had my 55 gallon planted community tank setup for close to two years now and in that time I have never found and aquascape that I really like. I have tried all kinds of different arrangements with the DW, plants, and larger rocks but have never found anything that lasts more than a month at a time. So Im turning to you folks for some guidance, inspiration, and suggestions. The current items in the tank are:
1 large DW piece
1 small DW piece
6 large river rocks
eco complete substrate
a bunch of pennywort (it grows like a weed in my tank so it will be huge again in no time)
2 HUGE java ferns
3 small java ferns
a group of corkscrew vals
rotala
a sword
anubias

I know there isnt too much we can do with the limited number of plants I hope tro get more sometime in the future but right now Im not going to.

Here are pictures of the tank as of now.
http://i36.tinypic.com/21ee360.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/2prya14.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/4uyzux.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/17ps2q.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/6yo008.jpg

As you can see I kind of have a strange tree of life thing going on which I kind of liked at first but now that those two java ferns are so close to the light they are getting algae on them like its nobodys business. And the rest of the tank I really dont know whats going on. And those java ferns arent attached to the wood for future reference.

Anyway, I really need some help Im still not happy with my tank and I would like to see what everyone thinks should happen.

Thanks!
Ryan

Hmmm, here's what I see...

Nicely growing plants, congrats on that . But in the sense of an aquascape, they may be growing too well in that they cover over some of your hardscape elements.

Some nice rocks and wood, which are mostly hidden, which if brought to the front, could give a focus to the tank.


Now, in any design you need a focus. Something to pull your eye in then help lead it around to discover the rest. What I see is bunches of plants that are growing well, but aren't really connected. It reminds me a bit of the tanks at the LFS that have the plants for purchase. Each in their own little clump. I think what you need to decide is if you want a wild natural tank, or a 'manicured' garden type tank. That would be a good starting point. Manicured would of course take more work, and require very frequent maintenance to keep it looking right.

I'm glad you mentioned that the java wasn't attached. Have you ever/is it possible to turn the driftwood to its left so that it's forming an arch ? I'd set up with the wood slightly to the left or right of center, with a few of the largest rocks around its' base, then scattered through the tank. Let your plants mix a bit. Keep tall in the back, and smaller as you work front and to one sideso the tank has a slow slope from the top of the wood and from the back.
And I tried, but I couldn't spot the smaller DW piece *hangs head in shame* I could never find waldo or those magic pictures either

^_^

Babelfish,

Thank you! That was such a help. I would like to go for the more manicured look if possible. I plan to replant the floating pennywort I have up in the right hand corner. Im just letting it grow some so I can divide it if need be.(And I had some baby guppies hiding in it but I think they are gone ) Anyway, I may play around with it some, and will DEFINATELY take your suggestions into play when I do so. And whatever I come up with we will go from there. Also here is a picture showing the smaller DW peice. It is hiding beside the Large one. My nanos have made a burrow under it. But I outlined it for you!

http://i38.tinypic.com/ix8haa.jpg

Ok so I played around with it a little, not sure how much I like it. I really want the rotala to grow up again. I cut it all down a while ago. So here is a picture of what I have done lately. Dont mind the algae, I let it grow for my mollies, and the sedimenty looking water. I was moving stuff around.
http://i34.tinypic.com/oadru8.jpg
Thanks!
Ryan

Aquascaping can be very difficult when you are limited to what you have all you can do is move things around rather than buy in more DW, rocks, & substrate.

Too many confuse a center point with a focal point they are actually the same. BUT it is not in the center.
It can be in various positions. An aquarium has 3 dimensions and this makes it a lot harder.
The focal point is point from which allows your eye to move from place to place without any distractions along the way.

I always like to start at the left hand of the tank reason it is more natural for our eyes to move from left to right as in reading and writing.

The position is usually 1/3rd in from the LH end and preferably 2/3rd back from the front and to give it height no more than 2/3rds high that in my opinion is the perfect focal point.
If you look in nature this does not happen unless you move around and look from all directions side to side and up and down.

Also with a tank you have to let it grow, what you do today will be totally different in one years time. This is what you have to see not what is in front of you.

Now saying all that I think I have totally confused you unless you have done a lot of design work and understanding how design works and blends in with its surroundings.

Personally I can see a lot of prospects but it will require some work and a few changes within the tank.

Please let me know if you want me to assist you and take your tank into some thing that you can stand back and say WOW that looks fantastic.

Here is the big secret it will require minor alterations as the tank matures and then left alone and let nature take over.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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oh I do like the driftwood moved over like that

I agree with keith in that the western world has learned to 'see' from left to right....try moving the wood a little more left? He has a great point that sometimes tanks need to fill out.

(Not good on my plant names) the broad leafed sword shaped plant right behind the right leg of the DW, I'm not sure I like it so central to the tank. Can that be moved to a far side, somewhere mid between front and back?. I'm also feeling like the rocks might want to be closer to each other.

^_^

Here a couple of things I have found out that seem to make a good scape.

~ A strong midground will help tie the tank as a hole together. If you have looked at pictures of my tank you can see a really strong midground of anubias. (More on the anubias later.)
~ For the most part you want to work your way from short in the front to tall in the back. This will help create some depth. In some cases people have the forground plants lead to the back of the tank in a V-shape. This also creates depth.
~Generally if you place plants with a small leaf in the back and plants with a larger leaf in the front the tank will look larger and deeper. I have played this game with my tank by layering from in the back to the front rotola to star grass to anubias in the midground. The larger darker leaves on the anubias creates a good contrast with the smaller lighter leaves of the star grass and rotala in the back.

Now with the current set up you have these are some things that I would try.
~ Move the sword a little farther to the left and just a tad closer to the front of the tank.
~ To create contrast with leaf size and shape I would move the vals behind the sword moving towards the back left corner of the tank.
~On the right side of the tank I would use your rotola as the background plant and the Brazilian pennywort (I think - the plant that is now in the far left corner) as a mid to back ground plant. Keeping the pennywort shorter and bushyer.
~Then fill in the gaps with your hard scape, anubias and java ferns.


Something like this

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Ok so I moved the DW over more and the sword over. You are completely right about the tank growing in. In a few weeks the pennywort will be out of control and my rotala will be reaching the top again. I just recently kind of mowed over things.

Wings, I didnt get to read your post until after I did another moving. I will apply your very helpful tips to my next move. What you said was interesting because I have always put the taller plants in the back and the shorter in front. I have never gone by leaf size. So I will definately use that next time I work on the tank.

I have taken pictures of the LATEST scape haha. We will see how this one can be tweeked. I must say though that I think I may be scratching the surface.
http://i34.tinypic.com/vfcytt.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/5lrsc0.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/sg4c9y.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/t0kzn5.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/kaljk1.jpg

RNJ
Can you please PM me with a E/m address so that I can send you some "Aquascape" info it would be difficult to post here as it involves several photos, with explanations and several links if they are still working.

I can see several faults there but can easily be changed. By doing it slowly is the only way as it lets the tank grow.

A tank must have a flow and at the moment I can not actually see that happening even when it is fully developed.

Question, how many different plants varieties not total number do you have there.
Have you thought about colour shades and leaf sizes/shapes?
To many diferent plants, shapes, colour, can end up looking like a garden salad. In most excellent aquscapes less is always best.
This can make a huge difference to a tank, it can make look totally different longer and even give it depth (front to back)

In my 5ft tank it is now 99% Anubias but several varieties.
The 45lt Cardinal tank is Anubias Nana and three soon to be two varieties of Crypts.
So far this tank is still developing and it is over two yld and I hope it will be finished in another two years.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW